Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman This article is about the singer. For her debut album, 2 Career see Tracy Chapman (album). For the actress, see Tracy Nicole Chapman. During college, Chapman began busking in Harvard Square and playing guitar in Club Passim, the Nameless Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an Amer- Coffeehouse, and other coffeehouses in Cambridge, Masican singer-songwriter, known for her hits "Fast Car" sachusetts. Another Tufts student, Brian Koppelman, and "Give Me One Reason", along with other singles heard Chapman playing and brought her to the attention "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", of his father, Charles Koppelman. Koppelman, who ran "Crossroads", "New Beginning" and "Telling Stories". SBK Publishing, signed Chapman in 1986. After ChapShe is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award- man graduated from Tufts in 1987, he helped her to sign a contract with Elektra Records.[5] winning artist.[1] Chapman was signed to Elektra Records by Bob Krasnow in 1987. The following year she released her critically acclaimed debut album Tracy Chapman, which became a multi-platinum worldwide hit. The album garnered Chapman six Grammy Award nominations, including Album of the Year, three of which she won, including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for her single “Fast Car”, and Best New Artist. Chapman released her second album Crossroads the following year, which garnered her an additional Grammy nomination. Since then, Chapman has experienced further success with six more studio albums, which include her multi-platinum fourth album New Beginning, for which she won a fourth Grammy award, for Best Rock Song, for its lead single “Give Me One Reason”. Chapman’s most recent release is Our Bright Future, in 2008.

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Early life Chapman in Budapest, Hungary, 1988

Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She was raised by her mother, who recognized Tracy’s love of music and, despite not having much money, bought her a ukulele when she was just three.[2] Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of eight. She says that she may have been first inspired to play the guitar by the television show Hee Haw.[3]

At Elektra, she released Tracy Chapman (1988). The album was critically acclaimed, and she began touring and building a fanbase. "Fast Car" began its rise on the US charts soon after she performed it at the televised Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in June 1988; it became a number 6 pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 27, 1988. Rolling Stone ranked the song number 167 on their 2010 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[6] It is the highestranking song both written and performed by a female performer. “Talkin' 'bout a Revolution”, the follow-up, charted at number 75 and was followed by “Baby Can I Hold You”, which peaked at number 48. The album sold

Raised Baptist, Chapman attended an Episcopal high school.[3] She was accepted into the program “A Better Chance”, which helps minority students attend private schools. She graduated from Wooster School in Connecticut, then attended Tufts University.[4] She graduated with a B.A. degree in anthropology and African studies.[5] 1

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3 SOCIAL ACTIVISM

well, going multi-platinum and winning three Grammy Awards, including an honor for Chapman as Best New Artist. Later in 1988, Chapman was a featured performer on the worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. According to the VH1 website, “Her album helped usher in the era of political correctness—along with 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M., Chapman’s liberal politics proved enormously influential on American college campuses in the late '80s.”[7] Her follow-up album Crossroads (1989) was less commercially successful, but still achieved platinum status. By 1992’s Matters of the Heart, Chapman was playing to a small and devoted audience. Her fourth album New Beginning (1995) proved successful, selling over three million copies in the U.S. The album included the hit single "Give Me One Reason", which won the 1997 Grammy for Best Rock Song and became Chapman’s most successful single to date, peaking at Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following a four-year hiatus, her fifth album, Telling Stories, was released in 2000. Its hit single, “Telling Stories”, received heavy airplay on European radio stations and on Adult Alternative and Hot AC stations in the United States. Chapman toured Europe and the US in 2003 in support of her sixth album, Let It Rain (2002). To support her seventh studio album, Where You Live (2005), Chapman toured major US cities in October and throughout Europe over the remainder of the year. The “Where You Live” tour was extended into 2006; the 28date European tour featured summer concerts in Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Finland, Norway, the UK, Russia and more. On June 5, 2006, she performed at the 5th Gala of Jazz in Lincoln Center, New York, and in a session at the 2007 TED (Technology Entertainment Design) conference in Monterey, California.

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.”[3] This interest in human rights can be seen lyrically in her music. Songs such as 1988’s "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" highlight the importance of speaking up against injustice: Don't you know, talking 'bout a revolution sounds like a whisper / when they're standing in the welfare lines. Chapman’s song "Fast Car" also brings awareness to the struggles of poverty, with lyrics such as: I know things will get better / you'll find work and I'll get promoted / we'll move out of the shelter / buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs Chapman’s activism extends further than her lyrics. She has performed at numerous socially aware events, and continues to do so. 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.[12] The same year Chapman also performed in the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute, an event which raised money for South Africa’s Anti-Apartheid Movement and seven children’s charities.[13] More recently, in 2004 Chapman performed (and rode) in the AIDS/LifeCycle event.[14]

Chapman has also been involved with Cleveland’s elementary schools. A music video produced by Chapman that highlights significant achievements in AfricanAmerican history has become an important teaching tool in Cleveland Public Schools. Chapman also agreed to Chapman was commissioned by the American Conserva- sponsor a “Crossroads in Black History” essay contest for tory Theater to compose music for its production of Athol high school students in Cleveland and other cities.[15] Fugard's Blood Knot, a play on apartheid in South Africa, In 2004, Chapman was given an honorary doctorate in staged in early 2008.[8] Fine Arts by her alma mater, Tufts University, recognizAtlantic Records released Chapman’s eighth studio al- ing her commitment to social activism.[16] bum, Our Bright Future (2008).[9] Chapman made a 26I'm fortunate that I've been able to do my date solo tour of Europe. She returned to tour Euwork and be involved in certain organizations, rope and selected North American cities during the sumcertain endeavors, and offered some assistance mer of 2009. She was backed by Joe Gore on guitars, in some way. Whether that is about raising Patrick Warren on keyboards, and Dawn Richardson on money or helping to raise awareness, just percussion.[10] being another body to show some force and Chapman was appointed a member of the 2014 Sundance conviction for a particular idea. Finding out Film Festival U.S. Documentary jury.[11] where the need is – and if someone thinks you're going to be helpful, then helping. —Tracy Chapman[17]

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Social activism

Chapman is widely regarded as a politically and socially active musician. In a 2009 interview with American radio network NPR, she is quoted as saying: “I'm approached by lots of organizations and lots of people who want me to

Chapman often performs at and attends charity events such as Make Poverty History, amfAR and AIDS/LifeCycle, to support social causes. She identifies as a feminist.[18]

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Personal life

Although Chapman has never disclosed her sexual orientation, during the mid-1990s she dated writer Alice Walker.[19] Chapman maintains a strong separation between her personal and professional lives. “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.”[20]

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• “O Holy Night” – A Very Special Christmas 3 (LP) and A Very Special Christmas Live (LP) • "Three Little Birds" – Live at the One Love Bob Marley All Star Tribute • "Get Up Stand Up" – by Bob Marley featured on the Let It Rain tour edition CD2 (LP) • "Stand By Me" – by Ben E. King on the XM Hear Music Radio Sessions Volume 1 (LP)

Discography

Main article: Tracy Chapman discography

6 Awards and nominations Grammy Award History

• 1988: Tracy Chapman • 1989: Crossroads

• 1989

• 1992: Matters of the Heart

• Best New Artist (Won)

• 1995: New Beginning

• Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Fast Car" (Won)

• 2000: Telling Stories • 2002: Let It Rain • 2005: Where You Live • 2008: Our Bright Future

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Contributions

Duet songs: • “The Thrill Is Gone” with BB King from his album Deuces Wild • “Give Me One Reason” with Eric Clapton from the album A Very Special Christmas Live • “Baby Can I Hold You” with Pavarotti from the DVD/Album Pavarotti and Friends for Cambodia and Tibet • “Ain't No Sunshine” with Buddy Guy from his album Bring 'Em In • “Trench Town Rock” with Stephen and Ziggy Marley at the One Love Bob Marley All Star Tribute • “The Maker” with Dave Matthews on October 21, 2001 at the Bridge School Benefit Covered songs: • "The House of the Rising Sun" – Rubáiyát (LP) • "The Times They Are A Changin" – Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Celebration (LP)

• Best Contemporary Folk Recording for Tracy Chapman (Won) • Album of the Year for Tracy Chapman (Nominated) • Record of the Year for “Fast Car” (Nominated) • Song of the Year for “Fast Car” (Nominated) • 1990 • Best Contemporary Folk Recording for Crossroads (Nominated) • 1997 • Best Rock Song for "Give Me One Reason" (Won) • Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for “Give Me One Reason” (Nominated) • Record of the Year for “Give Me One Reason” (Nominated) • Song of the Year for “Give Me One Reason” (Nominated) • Best Pop Album for New Beginning • 2010 • Best Contemporary Folk Album for Our Bright Future (Nominated) Other Awards

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References

[1] GRAMMY Award Winners Grammy.com [2] Williamson, Nigel Tracy Chapman Biography All About Tracy Chapman, July 2001 [3] Martin, Michael “Without Further Ado, Songster Tracy Chapman Returns” National Public Radio, August 20, 2009 [4] Biography All About Tracy Chapman [5] Erlewine, Stephen Thomas Tracy Chapman All Music Guide [6] “500 Greatest Songs of All Time: Tracy Chapman, 'Fast Car'". Rolling Stone. May 2010. Retrieved February 22, 2014. [7] “Tracy Chapman” VH1.com [8] “A.C.T. Tackles Big Issues in Fugard’s Blood Knot”. American Conservatory Theater. January 18, 2008. [9] “Tracy Chapman”. Atlantic Records. Retrieved March 16, 2009. [10] Tracy Chapman European / US Tour Dates 2009 All About Tracy Chapman, December 22, 2008 [11] “Tracy Chapman, Dana Stevens, Bryan Singer, Max Mayer and More Among 2014 Sundance Film Festival Jurors”. Broadway World. January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2014. [12] “Who We Are/History”. Amnesty. Amnesty International. Retrieved October 20, 2011. [13] “Live Aid’s Legacy of Charity Concerts”. BBC (BBC News). June 30, 2005. Retrieved October 10, 2011. [14] “AIDS LifeCycle 2004”. Online Posting. Youtube. Retrieved October 18, 2011. [15] “School Uses Video To Teach Black History”. Curriculum Review 29 (8): 11. 1990. [16] “Commencement Speaker Announced”. E-News. Tufts University. Retrieved October 20, 2011. [17] Younge, Gary (September 28, 2002). “A Militant Mellow”. The Guardian. Retrieved October 9, 2011. [18] “The quiet revolutionary”. The Guardian. October 31, 2008. Retrieved June 17, 2013. [19] Wajid, Sara “No retreat”, The Guardian, December 15, 2006 [20] 2002 – Tracy Chapman still introspective? All About Tracy Chapman, October 2002

EXTERNAL LINKS

8 External links • Tracy Chapman, Official website • “Tracy Chapman”, Atlantic Records • “A Better Chance”, Official Website, education program for minority students

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Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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Text

• Tracy Chapman Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_Chapman?oldid=675246990 Contributors: Mav, XJaM, William Avery, David spector, Olivier, JohnOwens, Michael Hardy, Ellywa, Jimfbleak, TUF-KAT, Nikai, Dcoetzee, Selket, SatyrTN, Cleduc, UninvitedCompany, Bearcat, Opponent, Robbot, UtherSRG, JackofOz, Mushroom, Oobopshark, Cantus, Guanaco, Buecherfresser~enwiki, Girolamo Savonarola, DragonflySixtyseven, Secfan, Mysidia, Marcus2, D6, Heegoop, Aou, Discospinster, KillerChihuahua, Guanabot, Billlion, CanisRufus, Mike Garcia, Drmagic, Bobo192, Dannish, Dlarmore, Darwinek, DCEdwards1966, Jonathunder, Alansohn, Kurt Shaped Box, Hohum, Snowolf, Velella, SidP, Cburnett, Omphaloscope, Ghirlandajo, Djsasso, Angr, Liface, Dremo, Ashmoo, Graham87, BD2412, Kbdank71, Mayumashu, Koavf, Matt.whitby, Mick gold, Elefuntboy, Bushido Hacks, Yakiea, FlaBot, Tufflaw, Pfctdayelise, Margosbot~enwiki, Nihiltres, JdforresterBot, Alhutch, Nivix, Jw21, Adoniscik, Wasted Time R, RussBot, Yllosubmarine, Ori Livneh, Rsrikanth05, Thane, Tetsuo, Oberst, Robchurch, DAJF, Misza13, Tony1, T, Asarelah, Mtu, Jamon~enwiki, Wknight94, Nield, Mitchell k dwyer, Timtak, Midnightcoffee, TroyReid, Lycaon, Mappychris, KGasso, Little Savage, MartinUK, Xinger, Allens, Jeremy Butler, Veinor, Crystallina, SmackBot, Amcbride, Tfitzsimons, Hux, McGeddon, Mfront~enwiki, Mrmewe, Tiv, Kleinzach, MalafayaBot, Fluri, Apeloverage, Darth Panda, A. B., Bhorsfall, Hmlarson, Chlewbot, Zazpot, AltheaJ, Hoof Hearted, Thoughtcat, Wizardman, Lone twin, J.smith, SashatoBot, Slavlin, ArglebargleIV, John, Kstern999, Gobonobo, JohnI, Chodorkovskiy, Minna Sora no Shita, Jeromealden 85, Loadmaster, Fuzzy510, PRRfan, Waggers, Xoreox, Sharcho, Jkaharper, Dl2000, Jnk, Iridescent, André Koehne, Suzanne M., TracyChapman, Courcelles, Swfong, RattleandHum, JForget, Sir Vicious, MrFizyx, Smallpond, Lentower, Arnoldlcl, Gregbard, Cydebot, Aristophanes68, Gogo Dodo, ST47, XcepticZP, Jordanjames, DumbBOT, JCO312, Ameliorate!, Mrfridays, The Careful Corrector, PKT, Thijs!bot, Fisherjs, PEJL, Edwardx, Mojo Hand, John254, JustAGal, Nigelpm, CharlotteWebb, Rees11, Gossamers, AntiVandalBot, RobotG, David Rush, DTwirler, Jessiejames, Zidane tribal, Sluzzelin, Rothorpe, VoABot II, Avjoska, Scanlan, Bestter, Delage, Think outside the box, Waacstats, Robzy, Hekerui, JohnnyChicago, Antmusic, Poetdancer, 28421u2232nfenfcenc, Allstarecho, SnapSnap, Cpl Syx, LovePatsyCline, Rettetast, Keith D, Jarrod76, Johnpacklambert, Trusilver, Mind meal, Rlatchana, Acalamari, Billydeeuk, Stompin' Tom, JayJasper, AntiSpamBot, RaptorRobot, M-le-mot-dit, Mandinka, Belovedfreak, Allreet, Amateria, Bondslave777, Phrashid, ACSE, CottonSocks, Migospia, VolkovBot, Jeff d kirby, Bridget2007, MrsRuth, TXiKiBoT, Zidonuke, WatchAndObserve, Rei-bot, Smoove D, Crockett john, Iowamutt, MAdams985, Samrica~enwiki, Rhopkins8, Falcon8765, Ahmadac, Toadfosky, Michellecrisp, SieBot, Shakesomeaction, MuzikJunky, Sposato, YonaBot, Sharkentile, JoshEdgar, Yintan, Crash Underride, Keilana, Holiday56, Happysailor, Prestonmag, Billy4kate, Rasheeke, JackSchmidt, Manway, Rjfost, Sugarcubez, ChrisTofu11961, SanderEvers, Cryptkeeperfun, ImageRemovalBot, Leahtwosaints, Sethacus, ClueBot, Binksternet, Brian Tjoe-Nij, Chapmanist, Badger Drink, The Thing That Should Not Be, All Hallow’s Wraith, Surréalatino~enwiki, Witchwooder, Mild Bill Hiccup, Joao Xavier, Boing! said Zebedee, Ulmke, Niceguyedc, Billyfutile, Parkwells, Dylan620, Trivialist, The Watusi, Masterpiece2000, Stepshep, Nymf, Noneforall, EdQuine, Maplewooddrive, Dark Kyle, Bgoodell22, 6afraidof7, Calor, Bjdehut, Joncaire, MelonBot, Tuzapicabit, Vanished User 1004, DumZiBoT, Little Mountain 5, TFOWR, WikHead, Phoenixvalley, Marchije, Travisharlem, Good Olfactory, Floeticsoulchild, Count of Tuscany, Weksa, Addbot, Cxz111, Some jerk on the Internet, RoostarrThunder3, Reidlophile, Ronhjones, Feťour, Kman543210, CanadianLinuxUser, Wrichik, Gomaliar, Broomvondle, 5 albert square, Tassedethe, Tide rolls, MuZemike, LuK3, Pointer1, Buckyboot, Yobot, Senator Palpatine, Gongshow, Templetigan, Tribal44, Joel amos, Kingpin13, Materialscientist, Danno uk, LovesMacs, Quebec99, Xqbot, The Banner, Marian54, Anonymeeoo, Oskape, Athompsq, Musicgoer, Heslopian, Ubcule, Dave Smith, BrotherDarksoul, RibotBOT, A Quest For Knowledge, Taylornate, Nietzsche 2, FrescoBot, Anna Roy, Bciceron, Kilmatead, Gourami Watcher, Cannolis, Tinton5, Swatchification, Jorgicio, Σ, Nofoolz, Crusoe8181, ThaRid, Yunshui, Cudavilan, TBloemink, Judesba, LuckyND6, Reach Out to the Truth, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, G2sean, RjwilmsiBot, JoadMéz, Lizardkween, EmausBot, And we drown, Trilliumz, Lsandbones11, RA0808, Tommy2010, Wikipelli, KiwiJeff, Dbbradle, WhatsMyHandle, Pattibsw, Fashwithin, Simpsonsfan09, BartlebytheScrivener, Puffin, ChuispastonBot, Sven Manguard, ClueBot NG, Vince123450, MelbourneStar, Chester Markel, Frietjes, Huntnb, Clubjunkie, Widr, Stand1212, RafikiSykes, Taranora09, Dmckinn, Island Monkey, Tom da masta, PTJoshua, Galaxy123456789, Deniz yildiz, MaddieBigfoot, The Almightey Drill, Mythic Writerlord, Panman258, Bilderbear, Fastcatz, Myxomatosis57, Über-Blick, Momption, Makecat-bot, TwoTwoHello, Zaldax, Garyeeagan, Fettcool, 069952497a, Melonkelon, Tentinator, Knowledgequest225, Rianoner, Chowkatsunofficial, Ox.willow.xo, Ryanshephard66, Yawzmamaz, ForbiddenRocky, KasparBot, JJMC89, TriviaThrowaway, NancySaunders and Anonymous: 715

9.2

Images

• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Tracy-Chapman_1988_by_Zoran_Veselinovic.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/ Tracy-Chapman_1988_by_Zoran_Veselinovic.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56492970@ N07/5590820078/ Original artist: Zoran Veselinovic • File:Tracy_Chapman_3.jpg Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/Tracy_Chapman_3.jpg License: CC BYSA 4.0 Contributors: Own work Original artist: Hans Hillewaert

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Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0