QueeRnB Founder LÉA THE LEOX Makes Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' A Declaration of Complex American Identity for New Songs of U.S. Session

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The Music and Conversation Series From Salt Lick Sessions Also Features Durand Bernarr, Brandy Clark, Amy Grant, Mickey Guyton, Joy Oladokun, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose, Old Crow Medicine Show, Tiny Habits, and More

In Today's New Session, LÉA THE LEOX Discusses The Influence Of Intersectionality On Her Artistry | Raye Zaragoza's Sessions Kick Off Tomorrow On August 18

August 17, 2026 - Today, LÉA THE LEOX dreams of an America in which everyone both recognizes and celebrates their self-worth and strength with her heartfelt rendition of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" for Salt Lick Sessions' Songs of U.S. series. In her accompanying interview, also out today, she reflects her identity as a queer biracial woman and on being raised alongside people of various cultures.

LÉA THE LEOX is an alt-R&B LA-based artist originally from Brockton, Massachusetts, who coined the term "queeRnB" and is driven by her passion for empowerment and representation for queer people of color.

Songs of U.S. is a performance and conversation series that brings together musicians from across genres to reinterpret songs that have shaped the country's cultural identity while exploring what belongs in the American songbook today. Watch Salt Lick Incubator's founder Roger Brown discuss the series on Boston Public Radio , and watch Salt Lick Incubator's president Liza Levydiscuss the series and America's musical legacy in her interview on MS Now's Morning Joe .

LÉA THE LEOX selected Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" as deserving to be added to the American songbook due to its reflection of the American experience of wanting and reaching for something more. She emphasizes in her interview that the song speaks to the ever-important quality of togetherness, pointing to the hopeful lyric "Maybe together we can get somewhere."

Watch LÉA THE LEOX's cover of Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" HERE.

Watch LÉA THE LEOX's Songs of U.S. interview HERE.

LÉA THE LEOX also joined Nia Ashleigh and Jordyn Simone for a Songs of U.S. cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," which you can watch HERE alongside their interview where they reflect on the importance of change.

Forthcoming Songs of U.S. sessions featuring Brandy Clark, Farayi, and more will roll out throughout the summer via Salt Lick Sessions' YouTube channel and social platforms. Last week, sessions with Joy Oladokun (watch her "The Thrill Is Gone" cover HERE )and MARIS (watch her "Fly Me To The Moon" cover HERE ) went live, and Raye Zaragoza's sessionswill begin rolling out this week on August 18, featuring performances of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin,'" Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers's "American Girl," and her original song "Who Says That's Not American?"

Across the series, artists reinterpret works by writers including Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack and John Denver. Featured performances include Amy Grant 's take on "Carolina in My Mind," Mickey Guyton revisiting "Take Me Home, Country Roads," Tiny Habits reimagining "Blowin' in the Wind," Joy Oladokun performing "Ain't No Sunshine," Brittney Spencer interpreting "Killing Me Softly With His Song," Samara Joy performing Duke Ellington's "Le Sucrier-Velours, Paula Prieto renditioning "God Bless The Child," Trousdale covering "Amazing Grace," and Durand Bernarr reworking "Summertime," and Old Crow Medicine Show and Maggie Rose 's duet of "Beautiful Land."

Variety noted thatSongs of U.S. arrives amid renewed conversations about patriotism and American identity, describing the project as offering "a more thoughtful and perhaps meaningfully patriotic approach" to celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. You can read more about the series in Variety HERE .

About Salt Lick Sessions

Salt Lick Incubator's signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach to compensation, rights, and creative collaboration. The series takes viewers on a nationwide discovery tour, featuring more than 50 musicians each year through intimate video portraits that invite viewers directly into the artist's realm. Past performers include Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, Mickey Guyton, Madison Cunningham, Tank and the Bangas, Dawes, and many more.

About Salt Lick Incubator

Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovative musicians at critical stages of their careers. Founded by Roger Brown, former president of Berklee College of Music and Liza Levy, the organization provides grants, mentorship, creative development and media platforms for artists building sustainable careers. Its signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach.

For more information, please contact [email protected] .