The recently published book, "It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy" by Margena A. Christian, aimed to shed light on an under-appreciated artist. However, its release has ignited a significant controversy with Sylvia Moy’s family. Sylvia Moy, a distinguished 2006 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, passed away in 2017 at the age of 78 in her native Detroit. She joined Motown in 1964 and is most famously credited with revitalizing Stevie Wonder’s then-flagging career by co-writing the iconic 1966 Billboard Hot 100 No. 3 hit, “Uptight (Everything’s Alright).” Her extensive songwriting catalog for Motown also includes collaborations on other Hot 100 top 5 hits for Wonder, such as “My Cherie Amour” and “I Was Made to Love Her.” Beyond her work with Wonder, Moy co-wrote “It Takes Two” for Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)” for the Isley Brothers, and several singles for Martha and the Vandellas.

Margena Christian’s meticulous research for the book uncovered evidence suggesting that Moy also actively worked as a producer, a role for which she reportedly never received proper credit from Motown’s male-dominated hierarchy. The book further claims that Moy contributed to other monumental songs, including Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” and The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” without being cited for her involvement. Christian, a Chicago-based writer with prior experience at Jet and Ebony magazines, developed an interest in Moy’s story during the pandemic after encountering a photograph of Moy with Stevie Wonder and members of Motown’s Funk Brothers studio band. Driven by a desire to bring Moy’s overlooked legacy to the forefront, Christian embarked on a comprehensive research journey. This involved interviewing numerous prominent Motown figures, including Mickey Stevenson, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, Patricia Cosby (widow of Moy’s frequent songwriting partner Hank Cosby), songwriters Eddie Holland and Barrett Strong, song arranger Paul Riser Sr., and Louvain Demps of the Motown vocal group the Andantes.

Despite an initial period of cooperation from Moy’s family, a profound schism developed during the lead-up to the publication of “It’s No Wonder.” According to Celeste Moy, a seasoned music industry attorney and co-manager of the Estate of Sylvia Moy LLC, the family had entered into a written agreement with Christian in 2023, prior to a publishing deal being finalized. This agreement allegedly secured the family’s participation, including facilitating introductions to other Motown associates, ensuring a positive portrayal of Sylvia Moy, and providing compensation for their assistance. Celeste Moy asserts that Christian reneged on this agreement by failing to notify the family about the publishing deal, denying them the opportunity to review the manuscript, and ultimately ceasing communication. The family claims they did not receive a copy of the book until less than two weeks before its official publication. Feeling