Tracy Chapman

Cleveland-born Chapman began playing guitar as a child, and eventually began attending Tufts University. Chapman began performing in coffeehouses and soon signed to SBK[?], releasing Tracy Chapman[?] (1988 in music). The album was critically acclaimed, and she began touring and building a fanbase. Soon after performing at Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday party, Chapman's "Fast Car" began its rise on the charts. Album and singles sales were strong, and the album went multi-platinum, as well as winning four Grammies.

The follow-up, Crossroads[?] (1989 in music) was less successful. By 1992 in music's Matters of the Heart[?], Chapman was playing to a small and devoted cult. To the surprise of most industry-watchers, however, Chapman's 1995 album New Beginnings[?] included the hit single "Give Me One Reason" (1995 in music). Her latest album is 2000 in music's Telling Stories[?].