Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tracy Chapman

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tracy Chapman made an impact.

Tracy Chapman is a highly acclaimed American singer-songwriter renowned for her socially conscious lyrics and distinctive voice. She rose to prominence in the late 1980s with her self-titled debut album, featuring the hit single "Fast Car," a poignant narrative of escaping poverty. Her music often addresses themes of social justice, inequality, and personal struggles. Chapman's success continued throughout the 1990s with albums like "Crossroads" and "New Beginning," which included the Grammy-winning single "Give Me One Reason." She is celebrated for her storytelling ability and her commitment to using her platform to raise awareness about important social issues.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

May 3, 1985: Major-Stage Debut

On May 3, 1985, Tracy Chapman made her major-stage debut as an opening act for Linda Tillery at Boston's Strand Theatre.

1986: Signing with SBK Publishing

In 1986, Tracy Chapman was signed to SBK Publishing by Charles Koppelman after he heard her demo tape.

1987: Signing with Elektra Records

In 1987, Tracy Chapman was signed to Elektra Records by Bob Krasnow.

1987: Graduation from Tufts and Signing with Elektra Records

In 1987, after graduating from Tufts University, Tracy Chapman signed a contract with Elektra Records.

June 1988: Performance at Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert

In June 1988, Tracy Chapman performed at the televised Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in London, initially in the afternoon and later as a stand-in for Stevie Wonder. This appearance significantly boosted sales of her single and album.

August 27, 1988: "Fast Car" Reached No. 6 on Billboard Hot 100

On August 27, 1988, "Fast Car" reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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1988: Performance for Amnesty International and Nelson Mandela Tribute

In 1988, Tracy Chapman 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. That same year, she performed at a tribute concert in honor of Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday, raising money for South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Movement and children's charities.

1988: Release of "Fast Car"

In 1988, Tracy Chapman released her hit single "Fast Car".

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1989: Release of Crossroads Album

In 1989, Tracy Chapman released her album, Crossroads, which achieved platinum status in the U.S.

1992: Release of Matters of the Heart Album

In 1992, Tracy Chapman released Matters of the Heart.

1995: Release of New Beginning Album

In 1995, Tracy Chapman released her fourth album, New Beginning, which became a worldwide success and was certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. It also produced the hit single "Give Me One Reason."

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1995: Release of "Give Me One Reason"

In 1995, Tracy Chapman released her hit single "Give Me One Reason".

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1997: Grammy Award for "Give Me One Reason"

In 1997, Tracy Chapman won the Grammy for Best Rock Song for "Give Me One Reason".

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December 10, 1998: Performance at Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary

On December 10, 1998, Tracy Chapman performed at the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Amnesty International held in Paris, known as "The Struggle Continues...".

June 6, 2000: Pavarotti & Friends Performance

On June 6, 2000, Tracy Chapman was one of the guest artists at Pavarotti & Friends for Cambodia and Tibet, at which she performed a critically acclaimed duet with Luciano Pavarotti of "Baby Can I Hold You Tonight".

2000: Release of Telling Stories Album

In 2000, Tracy Chapman released her fifth album, Telling Stories, which later went gold.

2002: Release of Let It Rain Album

In 2002, Tracy Chapman released her sixth album, Let It Rain.

2004: Participation in AIDS/LifeCycle Event

In 2004, Tracy Chapman performed and rode in the AIDS/LifeCycle event.

2005: Release of Where You Live Album

In 2005, Tracy Chapman released her seventh album, Where You Live.

2008: Release of Our Bright Future Album

In 2008, Tracy Chapman released her eighth studio album, Our Bright Future.

2008: Commission for Blood Knot and Release of Our Bright Future

In early 2008, Tracy Chapman was commissioned to compose music for the American Conservatory Theater's production of Athol Fugard's Blood Knot. Atlantic Records also released her eighth studio album, Our Bright Future, in 2008.

2014: Sundance Film Festival Jury Member

In 2014, Tracy Chapman was appointed a member of the Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary jury.

April 2015: Performance on Late Show with David Letterman

In April 2015, Tracy Chapman performed Ben E. King's "Stand By Me" on one of the final episodes of the Late Show with David Letterman, leading to a viral hit.

November 20, 2015: Release of Greatest Hits Album

On November 20, 2015, Tracy Chapman released Greatest Hits, a compilation album featuring 18 tracks, including a live version of "Stand by Me".

2015: Release of Greatest Hits Compilation Album

In 2015, Tracy Chapman released the remastered compilation album Greatest Hits, which she curated.

2020: Performance on Late Night with Seth Meyers

On the eve of the 2020 United States presidential election, Tracy Chapman performed "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" on Late Night with Seth Meyers, encouraging people to vote.

April 16, 2023: Announcement of National Order Bestowment

On April 16, 2023, The South African Presidency announced that Tracy Chapman would be bestowed with a National Order – The Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo.

April 28, 2023: Investiture Ceremony for National Order

On April 28, 2023, the investiture ceremony was held where Tracy Chapman received The Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo in Silver for her contribution to the fight for freedom by participating in efforts to free Nelson Mandela and raising awareness of human rights violations globally.

July 2023: "Fast Car" Hit Number One on Country Airplay Chart

In July 2023, when Luke Combs' version of Tracy Chapman's song "Fast Car" hit number one on the Country Airplay chart, Chapman became the first Black woman to score a country number one with a solo composition.

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November 2023: Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year

At the 57th Annual Country Music Association Awards in November 2023, Tracy Chapman became the first Black woman to ever take home a CMA Award, winning Song of the Year for "Fast Car", which also made her the first Black songwriter to win that award.

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2023: First black woman to score a country number one with solo composition

In 2023, Tracy Chapman became the first black person to score a 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".

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