Singer-songwriter and Chicago native Jamila Woods has gracefully covered the legendary Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” for independent label Jaguwar’s 25th-anniversary album.

The album Join The Ritual, which features covers by multiple recording artists, will reflect the singers’ influences and the record label. Joining Woods on the album is Nap Eyes, S. Carey, Okay Kaya and more.

The label shared the full tracklist for the album which is set to be released on Sept. 24 and is available for pre-order. 

In 2020, Woods released a concept album inspired by her influences including Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Frida Kahlo and Toni Morrison, Pitchfork reported. The song “SULA (Paperback)” was based on Morrison’s novel of the same name and was the first book by the late author that Woods read.

“The novel shows the evolution of friendship between tow Black women and how they choose to navigate society’s strict gender roles and rules of respectability,” Woods said, reflecting on the book.

“Returning to the story several years later, it gave me permission to reject confining ideas about my identity designed to shrink my spirit,” she said. “It reminded me to embrace my tenderness, my sensitivities, my ways of being in my body. This song is a mantra to allow my self space to experience my gender, love, intimacy, and sexuality on my own terms.”

The album also included a song dedicated to Eartha Kitt.

“I was inspired by the way she thinks about love and relationships,” she said.

The song centered around a viral clip of Kitt talking about love, as Blavity previously reported.

In a press release shared with Blavity, Woods said the song embodies your thoughts that “play in your head after an argument with your partner. These are the pages you write in your journal the next morning.”

According to The Guardian, the Chicago native is on a mission to embrace Black artists and celebrate their legacies. 

Back in 2016 on Woods’ debut album, the artist paid homage to Assata Shakur and Rosa Parks.

Woods was raised in a small Chicago neighborhood by her parents. Her dad was a physician and her mother was a spiritual healer who taught a young Woods to give back to her community. 

The singer spent time working as an associate artistic director of Young Chicago Author where she inspired children to use music to create their own narrative.

Listen to the “Fast Car” remake below: