Integrity in Music: Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman. A musician; but so much more, and who should be an increasingly important figure.
Her voice, her words, her presence; they just are. No frills, no 15 second hooks, no gimmicks needed. We know so little about her and we see even less of her. She has always felt like the epitome of a musician and a woman deeply anchored in who she is and what she puts out; choosing integrity over trends. Choosing quality over quantity.
Her voice is uniquely beautiful. Her messages are simple, meaningful and necessary (even now). She has never shaped herself to fit a mould and that is what makes her so exemplary. Many of us in day to day life and in the public spotlight, shape and change ourselves for others and it takes courage to remain true to yourself (to not be different for the sake of being different but actually being true to yourself). It takes a lot of courage to be truly real under the scrutiny of the world’s stage, so it’s even more commendable that Tracy Chapman was.
Every time I listen to her music, I’m reminded of quiet strength and that real beauty, in music and in people, is more raw. Music filters into, and shapes society and in an age of fleeting trends, empty words, jumping on bandwagons, making a quick buck and barely there outfits; artists like Tracy Chapman will always be needed for her authenticity and messages.
There’s so much I have learned from her - the beauty in the imperfection which reminds me of a Japanese term, wabi sabi; which is the idea that flaws add beauty to everything, whether they be objects, voices or people…everything. That rawness we heard in her music, and the simplicity in her presentation is what added to her depth and character.
Through her career decisions I’ve admired the power in quiet and just how much strength it takes to quietly hold your own in a loud, overpowering, extroversion loving world. As someone that loves to write, she reminds me that saying more, isn’t always saying more; and the effectiveness of keeping things simple and understated.
Tracy Chapman reminds me that nothing is worth sacrificing our true selves for. Peace is always worth more than money or validation and we should always have the bravery to step back or step up when the moment calls for it when it’s our peace and integrity at risk.