When Sylvia Moy auditioned for Motown as a singer it opened a lane for her as a songwriter. But she would eventually discover that that lane would be littered with barriers.

Moy persevered, building a career at Motown as a songwriter and producer on some of the label’s biggest tracks. She also played a role in developing Stevie Wonder’s career as he began to notch multiple hit songs.

Moy, however, was not given credit for her efforts, and for many years, the scale of her impact remained unknown.

Dr. Margena Christian wrote about Moy’s career in her new book  “It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy.” In it, she chronicles Moy’s early life, and her struggle to receive credit for her contributions to Motown and music history.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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Detroit’s musical influence stretches far beyond the city, reaching record stores, listeners, and cultures across the globe.

In Lucerne, Switzerland, a small shop called Co-mix Remix is built around that sound. Owner Walter Beer says Detroit music has shaped not just his taste, but his entire approach to collecting and sharing records.

“It’s all the music from Detroit that influenced me. The soul, the funk, the Motown. It’s connected to hip-hop and to house music. Without Detroit, life would be not so fun.”

From Motown classics to underground house, Detroit’s sound fills the store. Artists like Marvin Gaye and J Dilla are central to that influence, with Dilla’s legacy honored through an annual tribute night in Lucerne.

That connection extends beyond music. Walter says his admiration for Detroit culture led him to adopt the Detroit Lions as his favorite team, linking the city’s sound with its sports identity.

“It’s not just about the music,” he said. “It’s about music and football now. The connection is amazing.”

With Record Store Day approaching, independent shops around the world are preparing to celebrate vinyl culture and the communities built around it.

Detroit’s sound continues to move across borders, shaping scenes and connecting listeners in places far from where it began.

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.