Editing Tracy Chapman

{{Short description|American singer-songwriter (born 1964)}}
{{about|the singer|her debut album|Tracy Chapman (album){{!}}''Tracy Chapman'' (album)|the actress|Tracy Nicole Chapman}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
|name                = Tracy Chapman
|image               = Tracy Chapman 3.jpg
|caption             = Chapman performing in 2009
|background          = solo_singer
|alias               =
|birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1964|3|30}}
|birth_place         = [[Cleveland]], Ohio, U.S.
|instrument          = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
|genre               = {{hlist|[[Folk music|Folk]]|[[blues rock]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[Soul music|soul]]}}
|discography         = [[Tracy Chapman discography]]
|occupation          = Singer-songwriter
|years_active        = 1986–present
|label               = [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
}}

'''Tracy Chapman''' (born March 30, 1964) is an American [[singer-songwriter]], widely known for her hit singles "[[Fast Car]]" (1988) and "[[Give Me One Reason]]" (1995).

She was signed to [[Elektra Records]] by [[Bob Krasnow]] in 1987.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/bob-krasnow-veteran-record-executive-rip-7617765/ |title=Bob Krasnow, Veteran Record Executive, Has Died |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref> The following year she released her debut album, ''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]'', which became a commercial success, boosted by her appearance at the [[Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute]] concert, and was certified 6× [[Music recording certification|Platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]. The album received six [[Grammy Award]] nominations, including one for [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], three of which she won: [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]], [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]] for her single "Fast Car", and [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album|Best Contemporary Folk Album]]. In 1989, she released her second album, ''[[Crossroads (Tracy Chapman album)|Crossroads]]'', which earned her an additional Grammy Award nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Her third album, ''[[Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)|Matters of the Heart]]'', followed in 1992.

Her fourth album, ''[[New Beginning (Tracy Chapman album)|New Beginning]]'', was released in 1995 and became another worldwide success. It was certified 5× platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]] and yielded the hit single "Give Me One Reason", which earned her the [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song]]. Five years would pass before the release of her fifth album, ''[[Telling Stories (album)|Telling Stories]]'' (2000). ''[[Let It Rain (Tracy Chapman album)|Let It Rain]]'' and ''[[Where You Live]]'' followed in 2002 and 2005, respectively. Her most recent studio album, ''[[Our Bright Future]]'', was released in 2008. The remastered compilation album ''[[Greatest Hits (Tracy Chapman album)|Greatest Hits]]'', which she curated,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/greatest-hits-mw0002889914 |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |title=''Greatest Hits'' – Tracy Chapman |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=January 6, 2019}}</ref> was released in 2015.

In 2023, Chapman became the first black person to score a [[Country music|country]] number one with a solo composition, and to win the [[Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year]], when [[Luke Combs]] covered her song "Fast Car".

==Early life and education==
Chapman was born in [[Cleveland]] and was raised by her mother, who bought her a [[ukulele]] at age three.<ref name=biog>{{cite web |url=http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/biography-by-nigel-williamson-2001/ |last=Williamson |first=Nigel |author-link=Nigel Williamson |title=Tracy Chapman's Biography |website=About-Tracy-Chapman.net |date=March 11, 2008 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819151933/http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/biography-by-nigel-williamson-2001/ |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Her parents divorced when she was four years old.<ref name="auto">{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tracy-chapman-on-her-own-terms-60993/ |title=Tracy Chapman: On Her Own Terms |first=Steve |last=Pond |date=September 22, 1988 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=March 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191015233243/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tracy-chapman-on-her-own-terms-60993/ |archive-date=October 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She began playing guitar and writing songs at age eight. She says that she may have been first inspired to play the guitar by the television show ''[[Hee Haw]]''.<ref name=Ado>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Michel |url=https://www.npr.org/2009/08/20/112056043/without-further-ado-songstress-tracy-chapman-returns?ft=1&f=1003 |title=Without Further Ado, Songster Tracy Chapman Returns |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=August 20, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101095505/https://www.npr.org/2009/08/20/112056043/without-further-ado-songstress-tracy-chapman-returns?ft=1&f=1003 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In her native Cleveland, she experienced frequent bullying and [[Racism in the United States|racially motivated assaults]] as a child.<ref name="Fleming">{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/tracy-chapman-women-pop-usa |title=Amy Fleming on Tracy Chapman, the quiet revolutionary |first=Amy |last=Fleming |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=October 31, 2008 |access-date=March 13, 2020 |via=www.theguardian.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415173340/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/oct/31/tracy-chapman-women-pop-usa |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Raised a [[Baptist]], she attended an [[Anglicanism|Episcopal]] high school<ref name=Ado/> and was accepted into the program [[A Better Chance]], which sponsors students at [[University-preparatory school|college preparatory high school]]s away from their home communities. She graduated from [[Wooster School]] in [[Connecticut]] then attended [[Tufts University]], majoring in [[anthropology]].<ref name=biog /><ref name="auto"/><ref name=ambio>{{cite web |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tracy-chapman-mn0000016281#biography|title=Tracy Chapman |work=[[AllMusic|All Music Guide]] |access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/08/tracy-chapman-self-titled-july-1988-interview/|title=Tracy Chapman: Our 1988 Interview|work=Spin|date=August 18, 2019|access-date=July 7, 2023}}</ref> While a student at Tufts, she [[Busking|busked]] in nearby spots, including [[Harvard Square]] and on [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|MBTA]] [[Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line]] platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-02-23 |title=Tracy Chapman: On snakes, faith and busking for food |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/tracy-chapman-on-snakes-faith-and-busking-for-food-120277.html |access-date=2022-06-13 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rosenwald |first=Michael S. |title=To Chapman, underground music is pure performance |date=November 26, 2003 |url=https://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2003/11/26/to_chapman_underground_music_is_pure_performance/ |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=2022-06-13 |language=en}}</ref> Chapman recorded demos of songs at the Tufts University radio station, [[WMFO]], for copyright purposes while she was a student at Tufts, in exchange for the station's right to play her songs.<ref name="rollingstone">{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-best-albums-of-the-eighties-20110418/tracy-chapman-tracy-chapman-19691231 |title=100 Best Albums of the Eighties: Tracy Chapman, 'Tracy Chapman' |publisher=Rolling Stone |date= November 16, 1989|access-date=January 25, 2024}}</ref>

==Career==
Chapman made her major-stage debut as an opening act for [[women's music]] pioneer [[Linda Tillery]] at Boston's [[Strand Theatre (Boston)|Strand Theatre]] on May 3, 1985.<ref name="McLaughlin">{{cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Jeff |date=May 1, 1985 |title=Linda Tillery's 'healing music' |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |location=Boston, MA |page=78}}</ref> Another Tufts student, [[Brian Koppelman]], heard her playing and brought her to the attention of his father, [[Charles Koppelman]], showing him a demo tape he had smuggled from her college radio station containing the song "[[Talkin' 'bout a Revolution]]". Charles Koppelman, who ran [[SBK Records|SBK Publishing]], signed her in 1986. After she graduated from Tufts in 1987, he helped her to sign a contract with [[Elektra Records]].<ref name=ambio/><ref name="rollingstone"/>

[[File:Tracy-Chapman 1988 by Zoran Veselinovic.jpg|thumb|upright|Chapman in Budapest, Hungary, 1988]]
At Elektra, she released ''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]'' (1988).<ref name="auto" /> The album was critically acclaimed,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/day-1988-tracy-chapman-starts-three-week-run-no-1-eponymous-debut-album-22778696 |title=On this day in 1988: Tracy Chapman starts a three-week run at No. 1 with her eponymous debut album |first=Peter |last=Murphy |website=Hotpress |access-date=April 7, 2020}}</ref> and she began touring and building a fanbase.<ref name="auto" /> "[[Fast Car]]" began its rise on the U.S. charts soon after she performed it at the televised [[Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute]] concert at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]] in London in June 1988. At the concert, she initially performed a short set in the afternoon, but reached a larger audience when she was a last-minute stand in for [[Stevie Wonder]], who had technical difficulties.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=Richard |date=2016-09-26 |title=The Life of a Song: 'Fast Car' |newspaper=[[Financial Times]] |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d6ce495a-81bb-11e6-8e50-8ec15fb462f4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d6ce495a-81bb-11e6-8e50-8ec15fb462f4 |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-03-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Springer |first=Jacqueline |date=June 12, 2018 |title=BBC Radio 4 – Front Row, Tracy Chapman: remembering her remarkable debut 30 years on |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p069w23s |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}}</ref> This appearance is credited with greatly accelerating sales of the single and album.<ref>{{cite news |last=Clayton-Lea |first=Tony |title=Tracy Chapman: 'Being in the public eye is uncomfortable for me' |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/tracy-chapman-being-in-the-public-eye-is-uncomfortable-for-me-1.2433200 |access-date=2022-03-21 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |language=en}}</ref> "Fast Car" became a No. 6 pop hit on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for the week ending August 27, 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Hot 100 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1988-08-27 |date=August 27, 1988 |access-date=November 3, 2020 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked the song at number 167 on their 2010 list of "[[The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/tracy-chapman-fast-car-64246/ |title=500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Tracy Chapman, 'Fast Car' |access-date=July 21, 2019 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=April 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721195529/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/tracy-chapman-fast-car-64246/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Talkin' 'bout a Revolution]]", the follow-up to "Fast Car", charted at No. 75 and was followed by "[[Baby Can I Hold You]]", which peaked at No. 48.<ref name="grammys.com">{{cite web |title=Tracy Chapman |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/tracy-chapman/878 |access-date=July 1, 2023 |publisher=[[The Recording Academy]]}}</ref> The album sold well, going [[RIAA certification|multi-platinum]]<ref name="riaa">{{cite certification |region=United States |certyear=2021 |artist=Tracy Chapman}}</ref> and winning three [[Grammy Awards]], including an honor for her as Best New Artist.<ref name=grammys.com/> Later in 1988 she was a featured performer on the worldwide [[Amnesty International]] [[Human Rights Now! Tour]].<ref name="auto" />

Her follow-up album, ''[[Crossroads (Tracy Chapman album)|Crossroads]]'' (1989), was less commercially successful than her debut had been, but it still achieved platinum status in the U.S.<ref name=riaa/> In 1992, she released ''[[Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)|Matters of the Heart]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/1992/05/01/matters-heart-2/ |title=Matters of the Heart |first=David |last=Browne |date=May 1, 1992 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Her fourth album, ''[[New Beginning (Tracy Chapman album)|New Beginning]]'' (1995), proved successful, selling over five million copies in the U.S. alone.<ref name=riaa/> The album included the hit single "[[Give Me One Reason]]", which won the [[39th Annual Grammy Awards|1997 Grammy]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]] and became her most successful single in the U.S. to date, peaking at No. 3 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100,<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=The Hot 100 Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100/1996-06-15/ |date=June 15, 1996 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]}}</ref> and going Platinum.<ref name=riaa/> Her fifth album, ''[[Telling Stories (album)|Telling Stories]]'', was released in 2000, and later went gold.<ref name=riaa/> She released her sixth album, ''[[Let It Rain (Tracy Chapman album)|Let It Rain]]'', in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/oct/18/popandrock.artsfeatures5 |title=CD: Tracy Chapman, Let It Rain |date=October 18, 2002 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>

She was commissioned by the [[American Conservatory Theater]] to compose music for its production of [[Athol Fugard]]'s ''[[Blood Knot]]'', a play about [[apartheid]] in South Africa, staged in early 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zack |first=Jessica Werner |title=A Guiding Hopefulness: An Interview with Tracy Chapman on ''Blood Knot'' |publisher=American Conservatory Theater |url=https://www.act-sf.org/content/dam/act/education_department/words_on_plays/Blood%20Knot%20Words%20on%20Plays%20(2008).pdf |year=2008 |pages=28–30 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222230127/http://www.act-sf.org/content/dam/act/education_department/words_on_plays/Blood%20Knot%20Words%20on%20Plays%20(2008).pdf |archive-date=December 22, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Atlantic Records released her eighth studio album, ''[[Our Bright Future]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dailyvoice.com/connecticut/danbury/neighbors/happy-birthday-to-danburys-tracy-chapman/441215/ |title=Happy Birthday To Danbury's Tracy Chapman |date=March 30, 2014 |website=Danbury Daily Voice}}</ref> The album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Album the following year.<ref name=grammys.com/>

[[File:Photograph of Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton Performing at a White House Special Olympics Dinner - NARA - 6037507.jpg|thumb|left|Chapman and [[Eric Clapton]] on stage at a White House Special Olympics dinner, December 1998]]
She was appointed a member of the 2014 [[Sundance Film Festival]] U.S. Documentary jury.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Tracy-Chapman-Dana-Stevens-Bryan-Singer-Max-Mayer-and-More-Among-2014-Sundance-Film-Festival-Jurors-20140109 |title=Tracy Chapman, Dana Stevens, Bryan Singer, Max Mayer and More Among 2014 Sundance Film Festival Jurors |work=[[BroadwayWorld]] |date=January 9, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721195529/https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Tracy-Chapman-Dana-Stevens-Bryan-Singer-Max-Mayer-and-More-Among-2014-Sundance-Film-Festival-Jurors-20140109 |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> She performed [[Ben E. King]]'s "[[Stand by Me (Ben E. King song)|Stand By Me]]" on one of the final episodes of the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' in April 2015. The performance became a viral hit and was the focus of various news articles including some by ''Billboard'' and ''[[The Huffington Post]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pitney |first=Nico |author-link=Nico Pitney |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tracy-chapman-stand-by-me_n_7192080 |title=Tracy Chapman Singing 'Stand By Me' Will Break Your Heart |newspaper=[[HuffPost]] |date=June 12, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Tracy Chapman at TED conference 2007 by jurvetson.jpg|alt=Chapman clapping and smiling|thumb|Chapman at a 2007 performance]]
On November 20, 2015, she released ''[[Greatest Hits (Tracy Chapman album)|Greatest Hits]]'', consisting of 18 tracks including the live version of "Stand by Me". The album is her first global compilation release.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/tracy-chapman-greatest-hits-2015/ |title=Tracy Chapman Greatest Hits releases on November 20, 2015 |publisher=About Tracy Chapman |date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721201055/http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/tracy-chapman-greatest-hits-2015/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2020}}

In October 2018, she sued the rapper [[Nicki Minaj]] over copyright infringement, alleging that Minaj had [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] her song "Baby Can I Hold You" without permission.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tracy Chapman sues Nicki Minaj over unauthorised sample |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/23/tracy-chapman-nicki-minaj-lawsuit |access-date=July 21, 2019 |work=The Guardian |date=October 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719070236/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/oct/23/tracy-chapman-nicki-minaj-lawsuit |archive-date=July 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chapman stated that she had "repeatedly denied" permission for "Baby Can I Hold You" to be sampled. The lawsuit alleged that Minaj had engaged in copyright infringement (a) by creating the song "Sorry" and (b) by distributing it; she requested an injunction to prevent Minaj from releasing the song. According to the lawsuit, Chapman has a policy of declining all requests for permission to sample her songs. In September 2020, District Court Judge [[Virginia A. Phillips]] granted summary judgment in favor of Minaj on the first count of her complaint, stating that Minaj's experimentation with Chapman's song constituted [[fair use]] rather than [[copyright infringement]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/nicki-minaj-copyright-lawsuit-tracy-chapman-1234772693/ |title=Judge Rules in Favor of Nicki Minaj in Tracy Chapman Copyright Dispute |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 16, 2020 |first=Gene |last=Maddaus |access-date=September 18, 2020}}</ref> However, the judge ruled that the second count of the complaint should go to trial. In January 2021, the dispute was settled when Minaj paid Chapman $450,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/nicki-minaj-tracy-chapman-copyright-lawsuit-sorry-b1784702.html |title=Nicki Minaj to pay Tracy Chapman $450k in 'Sorry' copyright infringement lawsuit |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |work=[[The Independent]] |date=January 9, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2021}}</ref>

On the eve of the [[2020 United States presidential election]] she performed "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" on ''[[Late Night with Seth Meyers]]'', encouraging people to vote.<ref>{{cite web |date=2020-11-03 |title=Tracy Chapman makes rare TV appearance as she urges Americans to vote |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/tracy-chapman-seth-meyers-performance-vote-us-election-b1554908.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

When [[Luke Combs]]' version of her song "[[Fast Car]]" hit number one on the [[Country Airplay]] chart in July 2023, Chapman became the first Black woman to score a country number one with a solo composition.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/tracy-chapman-first-black-woman-sole-writer-no-1-on-country-airplay-1235366302/ |title=Tracy Chapman Now First Black Woman to Hit No. 1 on Country Airplay as Sole Writer — Who Is the Only Black Male Writer to Have Achieved the Same? |first=Melinda |last=Newman |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=July 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Bernstein |first=Jonathan |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Tracy Chapman Will Become the First Black Woman to Score a Number One Country Song as Sole Writer |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/tracy-chapman-fast-car-luke-combs-number-one-song-1234781760/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> At the [[57th Annual Country Music Association Awards]] in November 2023, she became the first Black woman to ever take home a [[Country Music Association Awards|CMA Award]], winning [[Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] for "Fast Car", which also made her the first Black songwriter to win that award.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yahr |first=Emily |date=2023-11-09 |title=CMA Awards 2023: Complete list of winners, best and worst moments |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/2023/11/09/cma-awards-2023-best-worst-moments/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name="cma">{{Cite news |last=Ives |first=Mike |date=2023-11-09 |title=35 Years After Its Debut, Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' Wins a Song of the Year Award |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/09/arts/music/tracy-chapman-cma-awards-fast-car.html |access-date=2023-11-09 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> During the [[66th Grammy Awards]] on February 4, 2024, she joined Combs onstage to sing "Fast Car".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/tracy-chapman-luke-combs-fast-car-2024-grammys-performance-1234957795/|title=Tracy Chapman Performs 'Fast Car' Live for First Time in Nine Years at 2024 Grammys With Luke Combs|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|date=2024-02-04|access-date=2024-02-04|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Flam |first=Charna |last2=Wenger |first2=Stephanie |date=4 February 2024 |title=Tracy Chapman Delivers Rare 'Fast Car' Performance with Luke Combs at 2024 Grammys |url=https://people.com/2024-grammys-luke-combs-and-tracy-chapman-perform-duet-of-fast-car-at-2024-grammy-awards-8558351 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205033248/https://people.com/2024-grammys-luke-combs-and-tracy-chapman-perform-duet-of-fast-car-at-2024-grammy-awards-8558351 |archive-date=5 February 2024 |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]]}}</ref>

==Social activism==
Chapman is politically and socially active. In a 2009 interview with [[National Public Radio]], she said, "I'm approached by lots of organizations and lots of people who want me to support their various charitable efforts in some way. And I look at those requests and I basically try to do what I can. And I have certain interests of my own, generally an interest in human rights."<ref name=Ado/> In 1988 she performed in London as part of a worldwide concert tour to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] with [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{cite web|title=An Activist Remembers the Concert That Moved a Generation |url=https://www.amnestyusa.org/an-activist-remembers-the-concert-that-moved-a-generation/ |author=Paul Paz y Miño |date=January 24, 2014 |publisher=Amnesty International |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721195528/https://www.amnestyusa.org/an-activist-remembers-the-concert-that-moved-a-generation/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> That same year she performed at a tribute concert in honor of South African activist and leader [[Nelson Mandela]]'s 70th birthday, an event which raised money for South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Movement and several children's charities.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live Aid's Legacy of Charity Concerts |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4627249.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=July 21, 2019 |date=June 30, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012051520/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4627249.stm |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> She also performed at the event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International held in Paris on December 10, 1998, known as "[[Human rights concerts#The Struggle Continues....|The Struggle Continues...]]". She was one of the guest artists at [[Pavarotti & Friends|Pavarotti & Friends for Cambodia and Tibet]] on June 6, 2000, at which she performed a critically acclaimed duet with [[Luciano Pavarotti]] of "Baby Can I Hold You Tonight".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.themusicman.uk/tracy-chapman-luciano-pavarotti/ |title=Tracy Chapman and Luciano Pavarotti's Gorgeous Duet of Baby Can I Hold You |last=McGregor |first=Claire |date=July 11, 2022 |website=The Music Man |access-date=October 2, 2022}}</ref> In 2004, she performed and rode in the [[AIDS/LifeCycle]] event.<ref>{{cite web |title=AIDS LifeCycle 2004 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEHMK-5l2Z8 |work=Online Posting |publisher=[[YouTube]] |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502015645/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEHMK-5l2Z8 |archive-date=May 2, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2022}}

She has been involved with Cleveland's elementary schools, producing an educational music video highlighting achievements in African-American history. She sponsored "Crossroads in Black History", an essay contest for high school students in Cleveland and other cities.<ref>{{cite journal|title=School Uses Video To Teach Black History |journal=Curriculum Review |year=1990 |volume=29 |issue=8 |pages=11}}</ref>

She received an honorary doctorate from [[Saint Xavier University]] in Chicago in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sxu.edu/student-life/events/commencement/previous-honorary-degree-recipients.asp |title=Previous honorary degree recipients |publisher=Saint Xavier University |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721195528/https://www.sxu.edu/student-life/events/commencement/previous-honorary-degree-recipients.asp |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004 she was given an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts by her alma mater, [[Tufts University]], recognizing her commitment to social activism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commencement Speaker Announced |url=http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2004-tracy-chapman-doctor-of-fine-arts/ |work=E-News |publisher=Tufts University |date=May 23, 2004 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721195528/http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2004-tracy-chapman-doctor-of-fine-arts/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{blockquote|I'm fortunate that I've been able to do my work and be involved in certain organizations, certain endeavors, and offered some assistance in some way. Whether that is about raising money or helping to raise awareness, just being another body to show some force and conviction for a particular idea. Finding out where the need is&nbsp;– and if someone thinks you're going to be helpful, then helping.|Tracy Chapman<ref>{{cite news |last=Younge |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Younge |title=A Militant Mellow |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/sep/28/artsfeatures.popandrock |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=September 28, 2002 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728232229/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2002/sep/28/artsfeatures.popandrock |archive-date=July 28, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

On April 16, 2023, The [[President of South Africa|South African Presidency]] announced that Chapman along with others would be bestowed with a National Order – ''The [[Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo]]'' which "recognizes eminent foreign nationals for friendship shown to South Africa. It is therefore an Order of peace, cooperation and active expression of solidarity and support." The Order was bestowed in Silver on her "for her contribution to the fight for freedom by participating in efforts to free Nelson Mandela and raising awareness of human rights violations globally." An [[investiture]] ceremony for the bestowment was held on April 28, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=Announcement of the 2023 National Order Awards nominated names by Director-General of The Presidency, Phindile Baleni |url=https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/press-statements/announcement-2023-national-order-awards-nominated-names-director-general-presidency,-phindile-baleni |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418064745/https://www.thepresidency.gov.za/press-statements/announcement-2023-national-order-awards-nominated-names-director-general-presidency%2C-phindile-baleni |archive-date=April 18, 2023 |date=April 16, 2023|access-date=April 20, 2023|publisher=Presidency of South Africa}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Chapman often performs at charity events such as [[Make Poverty History]], [[amfAR]], and AIDS/LifeCycle. She is a [[Feminism|feminist]].<ref name="Fleming" />

==Personal life==
Although Chapman has never publicly discussed her [[sexual orientation]], writer [[Alice Walker]] has said she and Chapman were in a romantic relationship during the mid-1990s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wajid |first=Sara |author-link=Sara Wajid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/dec/15/gender.world |title=No retreat |work=[[The Guardian|Guardian]] |date=December 15, 2006 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717043759/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2006/dec/15/gender.world |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chapman maintains a strong separation between her personal and professional life.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |date=2002-10-15 |title=2002 - Tracy Chapman still introspective? |url=https://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2002-tracy-chapman-still-introspective/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090823000412/http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2002-tracy-chapman-still-introspective/ |archive-date=2009-08-23 |access-date=2024-02-06 |website=About Tracy Chapman |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> "I have a public life that's my work life and I have my personal life", she said. "In some ways, the decision to keep the two things separate relates to the work I do."<ref name="auto1"/> Chapman lives in San Francisco.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/arts/music/tracy-chapman-career.html|title=Where Has Tracy Chapman Been? Her Grammys Triumph Has Fans Wondering|work=The New York Times|date=February 6, 2024|first=Ben|last=Sisario|author-link1=Ben Sisario|first2=Heather|last2=Knight|author-link2=Heather Knight (journalist)|access-date=March 25, 2024}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Tracy Chapman discography}}

===Studio albums===
*''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]'' (1988)
*''[[Crossroads (Tracy Chapman album)|Crossroads]]'' (1989)
*''[[Matters of the Heart (Tracy Chapman album)|Matters of the Heart]]'' (1992)
*''[[New Beginning (Tracy Chapman album)|New Beginning]]'' (1995)
*''[[Telling Stories (album)|Telling Stories]]'' (2000)
*''[[Let It Rain (Tracy Chapman album)|Let It Rain]]'' (2002)
*''[[Where You Live]]'' (2005)
*''[[Our Bright Future]]'' (2008)

==Awards and nominations==
===Grammy Awards===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="6" align="center"| [[Grammy Awards]]
|-
! Year
! style="width:200px;" | Work
! style="width:300px;" | Award
! width="65" | Result
! width="20" | Ref
|-
|-
|rowspan=6|[[31st Annual Grammy Awards|1989]]
|Herself
|[[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]]
|{{won}}
|rowspan=6 align="center"|<ref name=grammys.com/>
|-
|rowspan=2|''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]''
|[[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album|Best Contemporary Folk Album]]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=3|"[[Fast Car]]"
|[[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]]
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan=1|[[32nd Annual Grammy Awards|1990]]
|''[[Crossroads (Tracy Chapman album)|Crossroads]]''
|Best Contemporary Folk Album
|{{nom}}
|align="center" |<ref name=grammys.com/>
|-
|rowspan=5|[[39th Annual Grammy Awards|1997]]
|''[[New Beginning (Tracy Chapman album)|New Beginning]]''
|[[Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album|Best Pop Album]]
|{{nom}}
|rowspan=5 align="center"|<ref name=grammys.com/>
|-
|rowspan=4|"[[Give Me One Reason]]"
|Record of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|Song of the Year
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance|Best Female Rock Vocal Performance]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song|Best Rock Song]]
|{{won}}
|-
|[[52nd Annual Grammy Awards|2010]]
|''[[Our Bright Future]]''
|Best Contemporary Folk Album
|{{nom}}
|align="center" |<ref name=grammys.com/>
|}

===Other awards and nominations===
{| class=wikitable
|-
!Year
!Ceremony
!Award
!Nominated Work
!Result
!Ref
|-
|rowspan=1|1988
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|Billboard Music Awards
|Best Female Video
|style="text-align:center;"|"[[Fast Car]]"
|{{won}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0004207/1988/1 |title=Billboard Music Awards – 1988 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="8"|1989
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|Soul Train Music Awards
|Best R&B/Urban Contemporary Album of the Year, Female
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]''
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0005174/1989/1 |title=Soul Train Awards – 1989 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|[[Danish Music Awards]]
|Best International Album
|{{won}}
|
|-
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|[[BRIT Awards]]
|[[Brit Award for International Breakthrough Act|Best International Breakthrough Act]]
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|Herself
|{{won}}
|rowspan=2 align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000122/1989/1 |title=Brit Awards – 1989 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[Brit Award for International Female Solo Artist|Best International Solo Female]]
|{{won}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|[[Edison Award]]s
|Best Singer/Songwriter 
|{{won}}
|
|-
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|[[MTV Video Music Awards]]
|[[MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video|Best Female Video]]
|style="text-align:center;"|"Fast Car"
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0003172/1989/1 |title=MTV Video Music Awards – 1989 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|[[American Music Awards]]
|Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=3|Herself
|{{won}}
|rowspan=2 align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0005158/1989/1 |title=American Music Awards – 1989 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|[[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist|Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|1993
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|[[Echo Music Prize|ECHO Awards]]
|Best International Female 
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1996
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|MTV Video Music Awards
|Best Female Video
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=2|"Give Me One Reason"
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0003172/1996/1 |title=MTV Video Music Awards – 1996 Awards |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan=1|[[APRA Music Awards of 1996|APRA Music Awards]]
|Most Performed Foreign Work
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918020340/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations1996.aspx |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/Nominations/Nominations1996.aspx |title=Nominations – 1996 |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) &#124; Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) |archive-date=September 18, 2009 |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2001
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|California Music Awards 
|Outstanding Female Vocalist 
|style="text-align:center;"|Herself 
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2001-california-music-awards/ |title=Tracy Chapman @ California Music Awards 2001 |publisher=About Tracy Chapman |date=April 26, 2001 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122122236/http://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/2001-california-music-awards/ |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1|2002
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|IFPI Platinum Europe Music Awards
|Album Title
|style="text-align:center;"|''[[Collection (Tracy Chapman album)|Collection]]''
|{{won}}
|
|-
|rowspan=1|2006
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|[[Meteor Ireland Music Awards]]
|Best International Female
|style="text-align:center;"|Herself
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|rowspan=1|2009
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|SXSWi: Web Awards Honor
|Pop Music
|style="text-align:center;"|Herself
|{{nom}}
|
|-
|rowspan=1|2023
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|[[57th Annual Country Music Association Awards|Country Music Association Awards]]
|[[Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]]
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"|"Fast Car"
|{{won}}
|align="center"|<ref name="cma"/>
|-
|rowspan=2|2024
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|[[59th Academy of Country Music Awards|Academy of Country Music Awards]]
|Song of the Year
|{{nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/luke-combs-tracy-chapman-morgan-wallen-acm-award-nominations-2024-1235869772/ |title=Luke Combs, Tracy Chapman, Morgan Wallen Score ACM Award Nominations |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 9, 2024 |access-date=April 9, 2024  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409150537/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/luke-combs-tracy-chapman-morgan-wallen-acm-award-nominations-2024-1235869772/ |archive-date=April 9, 2024  |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=1 style="text-align:center;"|Induction and Awards Gala
|Songwriters Hall Of Fame
|Herself
|{{Nom}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.songhall.org/news/view/songwriters_hall_of_fame_2024_nominees_for_induction_announced|title=Songwriters Hall Of Fame 2024 Nominees For Induction Announced|website=Song Hall|access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref>
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q187814|c=category:Tracy Chapman|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|wikt=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no}}
*{{allMusic|artist/tracy-chapman-mn0000016281}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{MusicBrainz artist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box
|title = [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist]]
|years = 1989
|before = [[Jody Watley]]
|after = [[Milli Vanilli]] (Award later revoked)
}}
{{succession box
|title = [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance]]
|years = 1989 <br>'''for "[[Fast Car]]" '''
|before = [[Whitney Houston]]<br>for "[[I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)]]"
|after = [[Bonnie Raitt]] <br>for "[[Nick of Time (album)|Nick of Time]]"
}}
{{succession box
|title = [[Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album]]
|years = 1989 <br>'''for ''[[Tracy Chapman (album)|Tracy Chapman]]'' '''
|before = [[Steve Goodman]] <br>for ''Unfinished Business''
|after = [[Indigo Girls]] <br>for ''[[Indigo Girls (album)|Indigo Girls]]''
}}
{{succession box
|title = [[Grammy Award for Best Rock Song]]
|years = 1997 <br>'''for "[[Give Me One Reason]]" '''
|before = [[Glen Ballard]] and [[Alanis Morissette]] <br>for "[[You Oughta Know]]"
|after = [[The Wallflowers]] <br>for "[[One Headlight]]"
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Tracy Chapman|state=expanded}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Tracy Chapman
|list =
{{Brit International Female}}
{{CMA for Song of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best New Artist}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Rock Song}}
{{Ohio Women's Hall of Fame}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chapman, Tracy}}
[[Category:Tracy Chapman| ]]
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century American women guitarists]]
[[Category:21st-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women singers]]
[[Category:African-American women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:American women singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:African-American feminists]]
[[Category:African-American guitarists]]
[[Category:American street performers]]
[[Category:American acoustic guitarists]]
[[Category:American contraltos]]
[[Category:American folk guitarists]]
[[Category:American folk rock musicians]]
[[Category:American folk singers]]
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]]
[[Category:American blues rock musicians]]
[[Category:Brit Award winners]]
[[Category:Elektra Records artists]]
[[Category:Fast Folk artists]]
[[Category:American feminist musicians]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Ohio]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Singers from Cleveland]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Ohio]]
[[Category:Singers from San Francisco]]
[[Category:Guitarists from San Francisco]]
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from California]]
[[Category:Tufts University School of Arts and Sciences alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo]]
[[Category:Anti-apartheid activists]]
[[Category:American political music artists]]