Tracy Chapman biography

 

Tracy Chapman was born March 30, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio. In her childhood, Chapman learned to play the ukulele, the piano, and eventually the guitar and started writing her own songs. She attended a private school in Connecticut after receiving a scholarship and then Tufts University in Boston after winning a minority placement scholarship.

While studying African culture and anthropology at Tufts, Chapman began performing her folk sound at local coffeehouses on the streets of Harvard Square. She recorded some demos that eventually made their way to the right people, and Chapman singed with Elektra Records in 1987. An important musical artist had emerged from the ashes of the '80s.

In the 1980s, when the pop radio airwaves were filled with synthesizers and video-generated pop stars, Chapman emerged with her debut LP filled with a raw, calming folk sound that was welcomed by music fans. Her subtle lyrics and sound made her a hit with critics, and her landmark single, "Fast Car," introduced her to a legion of fans. Chapman has a knack for singing about a disenfranchised environment with an overtone of ultimate optimism for change.

Throughout her rock career, Chapman has supported a range of social causes, especially those of human rights, racial equity, and economic justice. In April 1988, Tracy was invited on many touring performances and appeared at the Freedomfest concert for Nelson Mandela and Amnesty International's tour. In December 1998, Tracy continued her support of Amnesty International at a concert held in France which also included Bruce Springsteen, Alanis Morissette, Radiohead, Peter Gabriel, Shania Twain, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and Youssou N'dour. The concert was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. More recently she participated in the Beastie Boys' Tibetan Freedom Festival in Chicago, and the Bob Marley One Love Tribute in Jamaica.

Chapman has won a series of Grammy Awards including: Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (for "Fast Car" in 1989), Best Contemporary Folk Recording, Best Rock Song ("Give Me One Reason" in 1997). In July 1999, Chapman was ranked #54 on VH1's "The 100 Greatest Women of Rock 'N Roll" program. Her latest album is Let It Rain featuring the hit title track