Berry Gordy – News, Research and Analysis – The Conversation

Sylvia Moy was a trailblazing Motown songwriter. L. Busacca/WireImage for Songwriter's Hall of Fame

May 7, 2026

Motown’s Black women songwriters and producers were the invisible architects behind the pop music juggernaut

Margena A. Christian, University of Illinois Chicago

Few people probably know the female songwriters featured in this article, yet Motown relied heavily upon their contributions to cement its place in music history.

Motown’s Martha and the Vandellas inspired future generations of girl groups in pop music, including En Vogue, SWV and Destiny’s Child. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

April 16, 2026

Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas not only recorded an anthem for the civil rights era – they fought for fair pay and proudly called themselves divas

Austin McCoy, West Virginia University

Classic songs ‘Nowhere to Run’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’ captured the revolutionary spirit of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s.

‘What’s Going On’ was a turning point in Marvin Gaye’s career. Jim Britt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

May 17, 2021

‘What’s Going On’ at 50 – Marvin Gaye’s Motown classic is as relevant today as it was in 1971

Tyina Steptoe, University of Arizona

Released at the height of the Vietnam War, Marvin Gaye’s hit-heavy album explored themes of race, environmentalism and conflict. It also marked a new direction for the Motown record label..

The cover of Marvin Gaye’s album, ‘What’s Going On’.

April 17, 2018

Marvin Gaye’s 1971 ‘What’s Going On?’ remains unanswered today

Stewart Maganga, Catholic University of Malawi

“What’s Going On” remains relevant today. Even now its plaintive lyrics speak eloquently about a post-9/11 world that’s upside down.

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