People can't seem to stop themselves from creating controversy where there is none, if only to virtue-signal. It's just dumb and unnecessary. There is nothing but love and tribute in him performing that song, and Ms. Chapman herself clearly views it in those terms. I am a big Tracy Chapman fan as well, she has done some incredibly powerful songwriting and is an amazing performer. Not super familiar with Luke Combs but will give him some attention. I am ignorant with the modern country genre, although I love the country music of my younger days, particularly Dwight Yoakum.
Honestly Country has been completely segmented into different genres within the 'Country' umbrella
A lot of good country out there that isn't what the radio plays