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Tracy Chapman Presentation

Tracy Chapman was born in 1964 in Ohio and raised primarily by her mother in Connecticut. She developed an early interest in music and began writing songs at age 8. She studied anthropology in college and was discovered playing music in bars and coffee shops. Her 1988 debut album sold millions of copies and won several awards. While her style incorporates folk, pop, rock and blues, she is best known for her folk advocacy music and songs addressing social issues. Her spiritual upbringing also influences her music.

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378 views10 pages

Tracy Chapman Presentation

Tracy Chapman was born in 1964 in Ohio and raised primarily by her mother in Connecticut. She developed an early interest in music and began writing songs at age 8. She studied anthropology in college and was discovered playing music in bars and coffee shops. Her 1988 debut album sold millions of copies and won several awards. While her style incorporates folk, pop, rock and blues, she is best known for her folk advocacy music and songs addressing social issues. Her spiritual upbringing also influences her music.

Uploaded by

api-317242183
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Tracy Chapman

Early Life
Born in Cleveland, Ohio on March 30,1964
Raised in Connecticut
Parents are divorced, raised primarily by her mother.
One sibling, a sister, named Aneta.
Early interest in music was fostered by Tracy Chapmans mother. Tracy
played the ukulele, organ and clarinet. By eight years old Tracy began
learning guitar and writing her own songs.
College and Discovery

Education Music
Minority Placement Scholarship to Played in bars, on street corners, in
coffee shops and through the college
Tufts University. radio station.
Studied Anthropology and African Discovered Folk and Political
Studies. Advocacy Music
In 1987, discovered by fellow student
Brian Koppelman whose father is Charles
Koppelman of SBK.
Musical Style

Early Influences Genre Breaking


Strong R&B influences from artists Musical style described as folk, pop,
such as Marvin Gaye, Aretha rock, indie and blues.
Franklin and Gladys Knight. Best known for Folk Advocacy
Additional inspiration from Black Music.
Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
Fame

In 1988, Tracy Chapman signed with


Elecktra Records where she produced her
first album, Tracy Chapman. This album
sold millions of copies and won awards for
Best New Artist, Best Contemporary Folk
Album and Best Female Pop Vocal
Performance.
Music and Social Issues

"Fast Car"
(Folk Ballad Style, Ostinato Guitar, Lyric Driven)
Spiritual Influence

While not categorized as Religious or


Gospel Music the influences from early
childhood can be heard in the songs
Unsung Psalm and All That You Have is
Your Soul
It All Comes Together
Crossroads
Folk music for Advocacy ( Protest song, simple repeating melody,
lyric driven)
Spiritual( Biblical terminology)
African American Tradition (Steady rhythmic pulse and dominate
percussion)
Today

Folk music for advocacy is not just a genre


to Tracy Chapman but an extension of the
way she lives her life.
References
Encyclopedia.com. Tracy Chapman. 22 November 2016. Web. 22 November
2017.
DeCurtis, Anthony. Tracy Chapman's Black and White World. 30 June 1988.
Web. 23 November 2016.
Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Tracy Chapman. 2016. Web. 22 November 2016.
Wikipedia. Tracy Chapman. 8 November 2016. Web. 23 November 2016.

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