Tracy Chapman (album)

Tracy Chapman
Studio album by Tracy Chapman
Released	April 5, 1988 (1988-04-05)
Recorded	1987–88
Studio	Powertrax, Hollywood, California
Genre	Contemporary folk folk rock[1] roots rock[2]
Length	36:11
Label	Elektra
Producer	David Kershenbaum
Tracy Chapman chronology
Tracy Chapman (1988) Crossroads (1989)
Singles from Tracy Chapman
"Fast Car" Released: April 1988 "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" Released: July 1988 "Baby Can I Hold You" Released: October 1988

Tracy Chapman is the debut album by the American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on April 5, 1988, by Elektra Records. The album was recorded at the Powertrax studio in Hollywood, California. In 1987, Chapman was discovered by fellow Tufts University student Brian Koppelman. He offered to show her work to his father, who owned a successful publishing company; however, she did not consider the offer to be serious. After multiple performances, however, Koppelman found a demo tape of her singing "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", which he promoted to radio stations, and she was eventually signed to Elektra.

In early attempts to produce the first album, many producers turned down Chapman as they did not favor her musical direction. David Kershenbaum, however, decided to produce it as he wanted to record an acoustic music album. It was recorded in Hollywood, California, in eight weeks. Most of the writing is based on political and social causes.

Tracy Chapman quickly gained critical acclaim from a wide majority of music critics, praising the simplicity, Chapman's vocal ability and her political and social lyrical content. The album achieved commercial success in most of the countries it was released, making it to the top of the charts in many countries, including Austria, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Denmark and the United Kingdom. It peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales exceeding over six million copies in the United States alone.

Three singles were released from the album, with the most successful single being "Fast Car". The song was performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute. It rose to the top ten on the US Billboard Hot 100 and also did well in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. Tracy Chapman is one of the best-selling albums of all time, with sales of over 20 million units worldwide.