Soul Singer Tracy Chapman Returns After Decades’ Hiatus with Debut Album to be Re-Released

Legendary singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman is celebrating the re-release of her iconic 1988 debut album—though the milestone arrives a little later than planned.

Chapman recently told NPR that the project,, though initially delayed is finally ready.

“The intent was to mark the 35th anniversary of the album’s release, but we ran into a few hiccups. Here it is 37 years later, and we’re finally getting it out,” she explained.

Known for her private nature, Chapman has stepped into the spotlight to discuss the impact of the record and its lasting influence on music.

A Memorable Grammy Performance with Luke Combs

Her renewed media presence follows her powerful duet with country star Luke Combs at the 2024 Grammy Awards, where they performed her hit “Fast Car.” Combs’ chart-topping cover introduced the classic song to a new generation of listeners.

Speaking to The New York Times, Chapman shared why she decided to embrace the album’s re-release publicly.

“This is an opportunity for me to say why I wanted to do this project and what it means to me—rather than letting the chatter speak for itself,” she said.

Chapman’s Continued Passion for Music

Despite stepping away from the public eye, Chapman revealed she’s remained active behind the scenes.

“Whether or not I’m in the studio or going on tour, I’m always writing, always playing, always practicing,” she stated.

She also expressed her preference for physical music formats over streaming.

While were talking about Tracy Chapman, let’s remember this fantastic performance as one of the final musical guests on Letterman. pic.twitter.com/fTUv5oFHlL

— Shane (@sbliss89) February 5, 2024

“I don’t stream music. I only buy it in physical form. Artists get paid when you actually buy a CD or vinyl—that’s important to me,” Chapman explained.

Reflecting on Combs’ success with “Fast Car,” she acknowledged its appeal beyond genre labels.

“‘Fast Car’ is a story song, and that’s the foundation of a lot of country music. I never pay too much attention to genre,” she said.

Chapman noted how surprised she was by the song’s continued evolution.

“I wouldn’t have predicted that’s where it would go, but the song has been covered quite a bit—even dance versions exist. I can’t say I would have thought of that either!”

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