Tracy Chapman’s debut album in the spring of 1988 was greeted with enthusiastic reviews. Within a few months, she played at the internationally televised concert for Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday party, where her performance was greeted with thunderous applause. Soon, the single “Fast Car” began climbing the charts, eventually peaking at number six. The album’s sales soared along with the single, and by the end of the year, the record had gone multi-platinum. Early the following year, the record won four Grammys, including Best New Artist. Her second album, 1989’s darker, more political Crossroads, was well-reviewed, peaking at number nine. Following Crossroads, Chapman returned in 1992 with Matters of the Heart. Three years later, she returned with New Beginning, which received stronger reviews than its predecessor. The bluesy “Give Me One Reason” was pulled as the first single, and it slowly became a hit, sending the album into the U.S. Top Ten in early 1996. Telling Stories followed in early 2000. Atlantic Records released Chapman’s eighth studio album, Our Bright Future, in 2008. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Chapman continues to tour and remains a huge draw.
