Tracie Spencer facts for kids

Tracie Monique Spencer (born July 12, 1976) is an American singer and songwriter. She first became famous in 1987. At just 11 years old, she won a singing contest on the TV show Star Search.

Soon after, Tracie signed a contract with Capitol Records. She was the youngest female artist to ever sign with them. She became well-known for her R&B and pop songs. Some of her biggest hits include "Symptoms of True Love" (1988), "This House" (1990), "Tender Kisses" (1991), and "It's All About You (Not About Me)" (1999).

About Tracie Spencer

Early Life and School

Tracie Spencer was born in Waterloo, Iowa, on July 12, 1976. Her mother, Theresa, has Creole and Native American roots. Her father, Marvin Sr., was a musician with French Canadian and Panamanian heritage. Tracie has three siblings: Marvin Jr., Marty, and Tricia. Interestingly, Tracie Spencer is also related to the famous singer Beyoncé through ancestors they share.

Tracie started singing when she was only three years old. By age five, she began modeling in beauty pageants. Besides singing, Tracie was a great student. She also played basketball in elementary and high school. She went to Columbus High School in Waterloo. She graduated in 1994, even though she already had four songs on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs charts by then.

Music Career

Starting Out: 1987–1992

Even before she turned ten, Tracie Spencer was already making her own music videos. This talent led her to compete on Star Search in 1987. She won the junior vocalist prize, which was $10,000. After her win, Tracie became the youngest female artist to sign a record deal. She signed with a major company called Capitol Records. She was also the youngest to release an album.

Her first album, called Tracie Spencer, came out on January 16, 1988. It featured popular songs like "Hide and Seek" and "Symptoms of True Love". She also covered John Lennon's song "Imagine". These songs all appeared on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

Tracie's second album, Make the Difference, was released on August 27, 1990. The first song from this album, "Save Your Love", reached No. 7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Her next song, "This House", became her biggest hit. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song "Tender Kisses" became a No. 1 hit on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts. This made her the youngest female artist to win the ASCAP Songwriter of the Year award in 1992. Other songs from this album, "This Time Make It Funky" and "Love Me", also did well on the charts. Tracie recorded a third album around 1993, but it was never officially released.

Other Projects: 1993–1999

As a teenager, Tracie Spencer helped the Children's Defense Fund. This group works to protect children. She received the Martin Luther King Christian Leadership Award. This award recognized her as a good role model for young people. She traveled across the U.S. and other countries for a "Stay in School" program.

In 1993, Tracie appeared on the TV show Family Matters. She also appeared in commercials. She recorded songs for several movies. These included "I'll Be There for You" for Good Burger (1997) and "The Rain" for Down in the Delta. She also sang "Don't Slip Away" for Super Mario Bros. (film) and Girlfight.

Tracie also worked as a model for brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Chanel. She was part of fashion shows in New York City and Los Angeles in 1999 and 2000. She appeared in many magazines during this time. On June 29, 1999, Tracie released her third album, Tracie. This album included the songs "It's All About You (Not About Me)" and "Still in My Heart".

Recent Years: 2023–Present

After taking a break from music, Tracie Spencer returned to the public eye. She appeared on the TV talk show Sherri with fellow R&B singer Shanice on September 29, 2023. She has also been active on social media. She shares updates about her activities and performances with her fans.

Discography

Studio Albums

Singles