Tracy Chapman became one of the biggest musicians in the world thanks to two critical 80s concepts—affirmative action and the diasporic mindset. Because of the diasporic mindset, many Americans thought of Africa as part of their world, as if Africa’s problems are our own, and we are not truly free until South Africans suffering under Apartheid are free. And affirmative action did nothing less than change Chapman’s life. We’ll explore how those ideas  helped Chapman and how they relate to "Fast Car." We’ll also look at what Chapman’s life might have been like if she’d never been helped by affirmative action.



Guests: Jelani Cobb, Dean, Columbia Journalism School

Credits: 

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
Label: Elektra
Writer: Tracy Chapman 
Publisher: PURPLE RABBIT MUSIC

Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Live Version)
Label: Elektra
Writer: Tracy Chapman 
Publisher: Purple Rabbit Music

Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train
Writer: Elizabeth Cotten, James Paul, William Frederick
Label: Folkways Records FG 3526
Publisher: Figs D Music

Elizabeth Cotten - Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad
Writer: Elizabeth Cotten
Label: Folkways Records FG 3526
Publisher: Folkways Records FG 3526

Tracy Chapman | Rare Interview, Planet Rock Profiles

Tracy Chapman 1996, Charlie Rose

Tracy Chapman Talks Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman Online

Elizabeth Cotten, Series Down Home

Elizabeth Cotten, Rainbow Quest TV

I Am Somebody, Jesse Jackson LP, Respect Records (1971)

Living History presents Jesse Jackson, Rutherford Living History

Tracy Chapman became one of the biggest musicians in the world thanks to two critical 80s concepts—affirmative action and the diasporic mindset. Because of the diasporic mindset, many Americans thought of Africa as part of their world, as if Africa’s problems are our own, and we are not truly free until South Africans suffering under Apartheid are free. And affirmative action did nothing less than change Chapman’s life. We’ll explore how those ideas  helped Chapman and how they relate to "Fast Car." We’ll also look at what Chapman’s life might have been like if she’d never been helped by affirmative action. 
Guests: Jelani Cobb, Dean, Columbia Journalism School
Credits: 
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Label: Elektra</li>
<li aria-level="1">Writer: Tracy Chapman </li>
<li aria-level="1">Publisher: PURPLE RABBIT MUSIC</li>
</ul>
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Live Version)
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Label: Elektra</li>
<li aria-level="1">Writer: Tracy Chapman </li>
<li aria-level="1">Publisher: Purple Rabbit Music</li>
</ul>
Elizabeth Cotten - Freight Train
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Writer: Elizabeth Cotten, James Paul, William Frederick</li>
<li aria-level="1">Label: Folkways Records FG 3526</li>
<li aria-level="1">Publisher: Figs D Music</li>
</ul>
Elizabeth Cotten - Goin Down the Road Feelin Bad
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Writer: Elizabeth Cotten</li>
<li aria-level="1">Label: Folkways Records FG 3526</li>
<li aria-level="1">Publisher: Folkways Records FG 3526</li>
</ul>
Tracy Chapman | Rare Interview, Planet Rock Profiles
Tracy Chapman 1996, Charlie Rose
Tracy Chapman Talks Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman Online
Elizabeth Cotten, Series Down Home
Elizabeth Cotten, Rainbow Quest TV
I Am Somebody, Jesse Jackson LP, Respect Records (1971)
Living History presents Jesse Jackson, Rutherford Living History

Black music by the decades.  Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time.  Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song. We tell the story of each decade through music. Our host and lead writer Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period. 

Black music by the decades.  Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time.  Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song. We tell the story of each decade through music. Our host and lead writer Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period.

Being Black- The '80s

NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast

Black music by the decades.  Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time.   Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song.   Our host and lead writer, Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period. 

NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
Black music by the decades.  Each season will deconstruct the most popular Black music of the decade, including what was happening in Black America at each moment in time.   Each episode of this audio docuseries focuses on a single song that defined a decade and changed the world. This music series explores cultural, political, and creative change one decade at a time. The first season will explore the Black music of the 80s and the sociopolitical roots of that music. Each episode looks at a single song from the era and what was happening socially at the moment that led to that song.   Our host and lead writer, Touré, interviews experts, cultural commentators, academics, and political thinkers, who will leave you feeling like you learned more about the music of the period.

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