Chapman, Tracy (1964-…), an American musician, became famous during the late 1980’s with such hits as “Fast Car” and “Talking About a Revolution” (both 1988). Her songs are heavily influenced by folk music and rely mostly on acoustic guitar. In 2023, “Fast Car” was covered by the American country musician Luke Combs. The cover became a surprise hit, bringing Chapman renewed attention.
Chapman was born on March 30, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio. As a child, Chapman played clarinet, guitar, organ, and ukulele. She later moved to Danbury, Connecticut, to attend a college preparatory school on a scholarship. Chapman went to college at Tufts University, near Boston. There, she studied anthropology and played songs she wrote at local cafes. Around the time Chapman graduated from college, she had signed a record deal.
Her debut album, Tracy Chapman, was released in 1988. It was a huge success and made Tracy Chapman known around the world. That year, she was invited to perform at a concert for the 70th birthday of the South African activist Nelson Mandela. In 1989, the album earned her awards for best new artist, best contemporary folk recording, and best female pop vocal performance at the Grammy Awards. Her follow-up albums—Crossroads (1989) and Matters of the Heart (1992)—were not as well received. However, she had another hit in 1995 with “One More Reason” from her album New Beginnings. The hit single won Best Rock Song at the 1997 Grammy Awards, earning Chapman her fourth Grammy. After a few more albums met with moderate success, her 2008 album Our Bright Future was nominated for a Grammy for best contemporary folk album.
Chapman made a surprise appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards, performing “Fast Car” alongside Combs. The song’s renewed success earned Chapman a Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year, making her the first Black songwriter to win the award.
