The success of Luke Combs’ rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” has ignited a complex discourse about race, sexuality, and gender. The Washington Post, for instance, closely examined this topic. The article cited data illustrating the severe lack of country radio play that women of color and LGBTQ+ musicians have received over the years. The publication spoke to Holly G, founder of the Black Opry organization. While she praised Combs for his artistry and inspiration from Chapman, she explained, “[I]t’s hard to really lean into that excitement knowing that Tracy Chapman would not be celebrated in the industry without that kind of middleman being a White man.”
Tanner Davenport, co-director of the Black Opry, shared that Combs’ instant success of the crossover cover “kind of just proves that when you put a White face on Black art, it seems to be consumed a lot easier.” Holly G said, “I think the big lesson here is Black women belonged in country music all along.” In addition, some fans have expressed frustration about Combs’ achievements with “Fast Car.” One user tweeted, “My thoughts are that I’m really tired of white men appropriating everything from Black culture & getting all the credit for it.”
