COLUMBUS, Ohio — Cleveland native Tracy Chapman has enjoyed a return to the music spotlight recently after her song "Fast Car" won top honors at the CMA Awards more than 30 years after its initial release.
Now, several members of the Ohio House of Representatives are pushing for Chapman to be honored for her career achievements with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Ohio House Resolution 376, co-sponsored by Rep. Terrance Upchurch (D-Cleveland) and Rep. Latyna Humphrey (D-Columbus), urges "the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation to induct musician and songwriter Tracy Chapman into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
The resolution notes Chapman's success as a recording artist, including her four Grammy Awards and nearly 44 million albums sold. It also applauds Chapman's commitment to community service in Cleveland and her devotion to social activism, "with an interest in human rights."
"Fast Car" resurfaced into pop culture last year after country singer Luke Combs released a cover of the song. Combs' cover made history by marking the first time that a song written by a Black woman topped Billboard's Country Airplay chart since the ranking was first put out in 1990.
Chapman also became the first Black songwriter to win a CMA Award for song of the year, according to Rolling Stone. She joined Combs on stage to perform "Fast Car" at the Grammy Awards in February and received a standing ovation.
Chapman said in a statement to Billboard that finding her single on the country charts 35 years after it was originally recorded was a welcome surprise.
“I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there,” Chapman told Billboard earlier this year. “I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”
The resolution was introduced earlier this month and is being considered by the Ohio House's Government Oversight committee.
"Since her robust music career Tracy has been involved with Cleveland’s elementary schools, using her musical repertoire to create educational videos highlighting African American history. She now has devoted her life to social activism with an intense concentration in human rights," Upchurch told committee members when presenting the resolution. "My district appreciates Ms. Chapman for giving back to the community she comes from and the advances she has made for Black people in the country, rock and indie music genres and she undeniably should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
Chapman was among the nominees for the Songwriters Hall of Fame Class of 2024, but was not on the final list for induction.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2024 was announced earlier this month. This year's list features 16 inductees, including Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Jimmy Buffett, Dionne Warwick, Foreigner, Peter Frampton and eight more.
The 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at Cleveland's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Saturday, Oct. 19.
3News' Ryan Haidet and TEGNA's Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz contributed to this report
Previous Reporting:
- 'I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me a million dollars': What Cher said about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame before being selected as an inductee
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announces 2024 inductees: See who made the list
- Cleveland native Tracy Chapman receives standing ovation at Grammy Awards after 'Fast Car' duet with Luke Combs: Watch the moment
- Cleveland native Tracy Chapman wins CMA Award for 'Fast Car' more than 30 years after song's release