Rough Copy

Rough Copy:
Letter from the Editor:
Sexism in the Rock n Roll industry has been prevalent since the 1960s and 1970s and is still seen
today. I will explore the many implications sexism has had on young aspiring talented women,
specifically Tracy Chapman. Tracy face many challenges in the rock n roll industry, and being a
Black woman added to the many hurdles she encountered. Rock n Roll is not welcoming to
women. The industry is highly sexist when it comes to women playing instruments and singing
in bands. Unfortunately, this creates .. on aspiring young talent, and they have to work twice as
hard to be heard. Tracy Chapman has lead the way for the future for women in Rock n Roll. She
is an astonishing role model, songwriter, singer and musician. Rock N Roll was seen as
something only men or ‘White men” could do. Supposedly only men were allowed to be in rock
n roll, only men were allowed to play musical instruments, only men were allowed to make
music, and only men were allowed to perform. Therefore, not only did Black women face this
type of racism or discrimination all women did. In general, women in music face so much
discrimination. Black women have sadly been treated unfairly in the music world - although
most of the music such as R&B, Hip Hop, and even Rock originated from African Americans.
Black women entertainers have to work much harder than their male counterparts. We can see
this happening today when we look at black female artists as well.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittneynanton/2020/01/25/its-2020-why-is-the-music-industrystill-harmful-to-black-women/?sh=2077a4511c08
Artist Spotlight:
Tracy Chapman is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist whose hits
include Fast Car, Give Me One Reason, Talkin' about a Revolution, and Baby Can I Hold You.
Chapman joined Elektra Records in 1987 under Bob Krasnow. Tracy Chapman is a legendary
singer and songwriter.
Chapman is known for meaningful lyrics that most can relate to. Her songs reveal
anything from poverty and living with an alcoholic father to songs about love and friendships.
Her lyrics are deep down from her heart. She has many #1 hit singles. One of her biggest hit
singles is “Fast Car.” Tracy's music had touched so many people, and it did so in the same way
with a bigger audience. Although she didn't fit into any particular category, being different and
having an emotional message made her stand out.
Tracy Chapman has won many Grammy awards and tops many billboards. However,
Tracy is known for her hit singles, but she is also a social activist. Therefore, In addition to her
lyrics, Chapman has performed at many socially aware events. In 1988, she performed in
London in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Chapman performed the same year at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute event, which
raised funds for South Africa's Anti-Apartheid Movement and seven children's charities. Most
recently, Chapman participated in the AIDSLifeCycle in 2004.
Tracy Chapman was a quiet child who liked to be alone. She was just three years old
when her mother gave her a ukulele. However, her passion for music only became clear when
she was eight years old. Right out of college made a dramatic entrance into the music industry
with her self-titled album “Tracy Chapman” in 1988. The album reached the top billboards of
200 charts just as hip hop and rap were emerging into the music scene. Tracy had her own
unique style of writing and singing. Using her style, she covered topics such as social injustice

just as well as rap and hip-hop singers did. As a social activist, Tracy had a deep passion for
including the social injustices faced by many in her songs.
https://sites.google.com/site/americansingertracychapman/social-activism
http://cuatower.com/2021/02/remembering-tracy-chapman/
https://theageofideas.com/reflect-yourself/
Concluding Sentence: Additionally, Chapman transformed protest music forever with her
unforgettable songs, which drew from her own experiences.
Top 10 Iconic moments:
1. Multi-platinum and 4-time grammy-winning artist
2. Social Activist- 1988….
3. "Give Me One Reason." Released in 1995, the song slowly climbed the charts, eventually
peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning Chapman another
Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1997. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tracy-chapmanmn0000016281/biography
4. Still a socially conscious artist, Chapman was commissioned by the American
Conservatory Theater in 2008 to compose the music for their production of Athol
Fugard's apartheid-themed play Blood Knot. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tracychapman-mn0000016281/biography
5. In 1997, Tracy won her fourth ‘Grammy’ for ‘Record of the Year’ for ‘Give Me One
Reason.’ This was when she also won four ‘Grammies’ at the 20th ‘Annual Bay Area
Music Awards,’ San Francisco. She also recorded a song for B.B. King’s ‘Deuces Wild.’
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/tracy-chapman-3089.php
6. In 2001, Tracy won the ‘Outstanding Female Vocalist’ at the ‘California Music Awards.’
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/tracy-chapman-3089.php
7. Another success for Tracy is that pop stars today are singing her song and putting it in
their ways are performances. This is a complete success for her. Justin Bieber and Khalid
are just two examples of pop stars today that are singing the song.
8. Fast Car
9. In1997 Chapman received an honorary doctorate from Saint Xavier University
10. In 2004, recognizing her involvement with social activism, Chapman was given an
honorary doctorate in Fine Arts by her alma mater, Tufts University
o https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/tracy-chapman-life-music-legacy/
Paraphrased Version:
1. Multi-platinum and 4-time grammy-winning artist
2. Chapman's 1995 single, "Give Me One Reason," reached number three on the
Billboard Hot 100 and earned her a Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1997.
3. Still committed to social consciousness, Chapman wrote music for the American
Conservatory Theater's production of Athol Fugal's apartheid-themed play Blood
Knot in 2008.
4. SOCIAL ACTIVIST

5. Tracy was honoured with the title, 'Outstanding Female Vocalist' at the 2003
California Music Awards.
6. Another success for Tracy is that pop stars today are singing her song and putting it
in their ways are performances. This is a complete success for her. Justin Bieber and
Khalid are just two examples of pop stars today that are singing the song.
7. Fast Car is the highest-ranked song written and performed by a woman in
Rolling Stone’s Top 500
8. In 2004, recognizing her involvement with social activism, Chapman was given an
honorary doctorate in Fine Arts from Tufts University
9. In1997 Chapman received an honorary doctorate from Saint Xavier University in
Chicago
10.
Performance Review: Fast Car: December 4th/1988 Oakland Arena Coliseum
Consider What shes doing, What she’s wearing, her Emotion, How she plays the guitar
• The performance starts with Tracy playing the guitar
• As soon as she starts to sing, we can hear the emotion in her voice
• Tracy shows what it means to be a simple performer. She has no makeup, no costume, no
hairstyle, no fancy clothing. It’s just her and her guitar
• She brings her singing and vocals, and guitar skills to the stage
• The way she is performing and singing shows how a simple performance can be so
special her just singing with a guitar makes the song and her performance even more
special for so many people.
• Her live voice is so calm and peaceful we don’t see that a lot these days either the singers
are lip-syncing with their song behind it, or they sing a little bit live, and that’s about it.
Tracy shows what it means to be a simple performer.
Sexism in Rock Industry
Statistics
• The report found 31% of black music creators believed their mental wellbeing had
worsened since starting their music career, rising to 42% of black women.
o https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58884705
• https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jun/17/music-executives-diversity-white-maleblack-women
Pictures: