Stevie Wonder was considered a genius at age 13 when he made his Billboard chart debut, and now, at 54, he can still command enough airplay to earn Hot Shot Debut honors.
Wonder extends his chart span on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks into a fifth decade and a second century by opening at No. 36 with “So What the Fuss” (Motown).
Wonder made his R&B chart debut when “Fingertips -- Pt. 2” entered the week of June 29, 1963. Issued on Motown’s Tamla imprint, the single spent six weeks at No. 1. It also spent three weeks at the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 that summer. That means Wonder’s chart span extends to 41 years and nine months.
“Fuss” marks the first appearance by Wonder on this chart in six years and two months. “Happy Birthday” spent one week on the tally in January 1999, peaking at No. 70.
The new song is Wonder’s highest-debuting and highest-charting title since “For Your Love” opened at No. 26 and peaked at No. 11 in first-quarter 1995.