Tracy Chapman made an incredible return at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards last Sunday performing her 1988 debut single, Fast Car, alongside Luke Combs, the country singer who helped her resurgence in popular culture.
And yet, the four-time Grammy winner, who will reach the big mark of 6-0 next month, prefers a reclusive lifestyle and has managed to keep her personal life private.
‘I have a public life which is my work life and I have my personal life’, Tracy explained back in 2002.
‘In a way, the decision to keep the two things separate relates to the work I do. I don’t think I’d have anything interesting to write about if I didn’t make time to have a life, hang out with my friends, read a book, or travel somewhere I’ve always wanted to see. Being a musician can be a very strange or unreal lifestyle, going from one hotel room to another.’
Chapman never officially came out as a lesbian but, in the mid-1990s, she embarked on a love affair with The Color Purple author Alice Walker.
Tracy Chapman made a grand return at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards last Sunday performing her 1988 debut single, Fast Car, alongside Luke Combs, the country singer who helped her resurgence in popular culture.
And yet, the four-time Grammy winner, who will reach the big mark of 6-0 next month, prefers a reclusive lifestyle and has managed to keep her personal life private.
At 79, the Pulitzer Prize winner is 20 years older than the Ohio-born musician, but she “loved” their “delicious” under-the-radar romance.
“Maybe it was quiet for you, but that’s because you didn’t live in our area,” Alice told him. The Guardian in 2006.
“It was delicious and charming and wonderful, I totally enjoyed it and was completely in love with it, but it was no one’s business but ours.”
Broadway Musical of Walker’s Novel Adapted to Blitz Bazawule’s $100 Million Budget critically acclaimed movie The Color Purple, which alone grossed $64.1 million at the global box office last year.
Meanwhile, Tracy’s version of Fast Car just hit the #1 spot on the iTunes Top Songs chart and her self-titled debut album also landed the #1 spot.
Luke’s Fast Car cover topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and earned a CMA Award last November, making Chapman the first black woman to achieve both.
“I never expected to find myself on the country music charts, but I’m honored to be there,” the former busker said. Billboard Last July.
“I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced Fast Car.”
Tracy never officially came out as a lesbian, but in the mid-1990s she embarked on a love affair with The Color Purple author Alice Walker.
At 79, the Pulitzer Prize winner (pictured left in 1998) is 20 years older than Chapman (right), but “loved” their “delicious” hidden romance.
Alice told The Guardian in 2006: “For you it may have been quiet, but that’s because you didn’t live in our area… It was delightful and charming and wonderful, I totally enjoyed it and I was completely in love with it, but I didn’t. It was no one’s business but ours (pictured in 2004)
The Broadway musical of Walker’s novel was adapted into Blitz Bazawule’s critically acclaimed film, The Color Purple (pictured), with a budget of $100 million, which only grossed $64.1 million in the global box office last year.
The Ohio-born musician’s version of Fast Car just hit the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Top Songs chart, and his self-titled debut album also landed the No. 1 spot.
Chapman told Billboard last July, “I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there.” I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced Fast Car.
The 33-year-old North Carolina-born artist will compete for five trophies, including song of the year for Fast Car, at the 49th People’s Choice Awards, airing Feb. 18 on NBC.
The former busker had not been seen in public since she performed her 1988 song Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution virtually on The Late Show with Seth Meyers four years ago to encourage voters to participate in the 2020 presidential election.
Tracy, who released Greatest Hits in 2015 (pictured), hasn’t released new music since her eighth studio album Our Bright Future in 2008.
Chapman will next be honored with the Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 International Folk Music Awards, taking place on February 21 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, MO.
The 33-year-old artist, born in North Carolina, ended up losing the Grammy for best country solo performance to Chris Stapleton for his song White Horse.
But Luke will next compete for five trophies, including song of the year for Fast Car, at the 49th People’s Choice Awards, airing Feb. 18 on NBC.
Tracy had not been seen in public since she virtually performed her 1988 song Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution on The Late Show with Seth Meyers four years ago to encourage voters to participate in the 2020 presidential election.
Chapman, who released Greatest Hits in 2015, hasn’t released new music since her eighth studio album Our Bright Future in 2008.
The Give Me One Reason singer will next be honored with the Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 International Folk Music Awards, taking place on February 21 at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, MO.