Tanya Trotter

Not to be confused with Tanya Grotter.
Tanya Trotter
Trotter in 2007
Trotter in 2007
Background information
Birth nameTanya Blount
OriginWashington, D.C., US
Genres
Occupations
Years active1993–present
Labels
Member ofThe War and Treaty

Tanya Trotter (née Blount) is an American actress, musician and author. She began her career as a teen actress, appearing in the 1993 film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. She went on to release her debut album Natural Thing (1994), which featured the songs "Through the Rain" and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine". Blount is currently one half of the Grammy-nominated duo The War and Treaty.

Early life and education

Blount was born to an Afro-Panamanian mother and African-American father. She attended Baptist services on Sundays and attended Catholic school, singing in choirs in both contexts.[1] She was educated at Morgan State University, where she majored in psychology and sang in the university choir.[2]

Personal life

Trotter is married to her bandmate Michael Trotter and has a son named Antonio.

Career

Blount first came to prominence in the film, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) in which she featured as the character "Tanya". Her performance of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" with Lauryn Hill was a particularly notable moment. MadameNoire commented, 'she and R&B/Hip-hop musician Lauryn Hill captivated audiences with a memorable performance'. Blount also appeared on the feature film's original soundtrack album.[3][4][5][6][7]

Signed with Polydor Records during late 1993, her debut album, Natural Thing, was released in 1994 and peaked at number 58 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album's first single "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" peaked at number 57 on the USR&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. "Through the Rain" followed, peaking at number 27 on US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and became her first appearance on the US Hot 100 where it peaked at number 90. Third single, "Hold On" peaked at number 66 on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. In 1994, Blount released a holiday single titled "Remember Love".[8] In 1995, Blount received a nomination for Best New Artist at the Soul Train Awards.[9]

In 1996, Blount signed to Sean Combs' Bad Boy Entertainment and commenced the recording of her second album; writing for herself and other Bad Boy artists. Though Combs was involved in the project initially, interest in the album 'flagged'. Though years passed, only 2 songs; "I Love Him" and "The Last Time We Made Love", were released. According to EBONY, Blount was included on the label's first gospel LP alongside artists; B.I.G., Faith Evans, Brandy, Carl Thomas, John P. Kee, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men and Total. Commenting on the album, Blount explained "“I think Puffy is looking for a different way to go; he feels a responsibility to the Big Willies and hustlers to understand. A lot of people from the streets have a strong background in church. Maybe it’s time to send the message that they can party and still love Jesus.” Originally scheduled for release in 1997, the album was shelved indefinitely.[10] In February 2000, the Washington Post reported Blount was pursuing a release from her contract with Bad Boy Entertainment and negotiating a settlement.[9]

Blount has had a consistent musical theatre career in productions including What Every Woman Wants,[11] Sneaky, Preacher's Kids, Born to Sing![12] and Christmas in Washington.[13] In 2008, Blount's song "Right Here", was featured in the 2008 Tyler Perry film, The Family That Preys.[14]

In 2016, Blount released the duet album Love Affair with her husband, Michael Trotter Jr., as Trotter and Blount.[15] The duo also released the single "Hi Ho" that year as The War and Treaty. "Hi Ho" was described by Paste writer Chris Estey as 'the break out soul hit'. In 2017, The War and Treaty released the EP Down to the River, described as a mix of 'blues, gospel, soul, bluegrass, country' and heralded by Estey as 'a splendidly made immediate classic about conflict and redemption'.[16][17] In 2018, Rolling Stone reported The War and Treaty's debut album Healing Tide is due for release on August 10, 2018, describing the lead single as a 'joyfully relentless title track, reminiscent of classic Ike and Tina Turner rock-infused soul'.[18] On September 25, 2020, The War and Treaty released their sophomore album, Hearts Town, on Rounder Records.

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details[8] Peak chart positions
US
Curr.
Sales
[19] 		US
Heat.
[20] 		US
Indie
[21] 		US
R&B
/HH
[22]
Natural Thing[23] – –[A] – 58
Love Affair[25]
(as Trotter and Blount) 		– – – –
Healing Tide[26]
(as The War and Treaty) 		– 11 26 –
Hearts Town[28]
(as The War and Treaty) 		70 – – –
Lover's Game
(as The War and Treaty)
  • Released: March 10, 2023
  • Label: UMG Nashville
  • Format: LP, CD, Digital download
 – – – –
Plus One
(as The War and Treaty)
  • Released: February 14, 2025
  • Label: UMG Nashville
  • Format: LP, CD, Digital download
 – – – –

Live albums

List of extended plays
Title Album details
Live at Blue House[30][31][32]
(as The War and Treaty)

Extended plays

List of extended plays
Title Album details
Live on WMNF 88.5 with Amy Snider[35]
(as The War and Treaty)
Down to the River[36]
(as The War and Treaty)

Singles

as lead artist
List of singles as a lead artist, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title[8] Year Chart positions Album
US
[37] 		US
R&B
/HH
[38] 		US
Adult R&B
[39] 		UK
[40]
"I'm Gonna Make You Mine" 1994 — 57 34 85 Natural Thing
"Through the Rain" 90 27 21 —
"Hold On" — 66 — —
"Remember Love"[41][42] — — — — Special Gift
"I Love Him"
(featuring Mase)[43] 		2000 — — — — non-album single
as featured artist
List of singles as a featured artist, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title Year Chart positions Album
US
[44] 		US
R&B
/HH
[45] 		US
Adult R&B
[46] 		UK
[40]
"Freedom
(Theme from Panther)" 		1995 45 18 34 — Panther: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
as The War and Treaty
List of singles as a lead artist, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
Title[8] Year Chart positions Album
US
Triple A
[47]
"Hi Ho" [48] 2016 — Down to the River
"Healing Tide" [49][18] 2018 — Healing Tide
"Are You Ready to Love Me?" [50] —
"Jealousy / Hustlin'" [51] 2020 — Hearts Town
"We Are One" [52] —
"Five More Minutes" [53] 22

Album appearances

Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Remember Love"[42] 1996 Tanya Blount Special Gift
(Holiday compilation by Polydor Records)
"I Love Him"[54] 1998 Tanya Blount Nothin' But The Hotness In '98
(Compilation by Bad Boy Entertainment)
"The Last Time We Made Love"[55] 1999 Tanya Blount Bad Boy Entertainment Presents: Emotional
(Compilation EP by Bad Boy Entertainment)
"Been Changed"[56] 2007 7 Sons of Soul
(feat. Tanya Blount) 		Witness

Soundtrack appearances

Title Year Artist(s) Album
"Oh Happy Day"[57] 1993 St. Francis Choir[58] Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit:
The Motion Picture Soundtrack
"His Eye Is On The Sparrow"[57] Tanya Blount and Lauryn Hill
Joyful, Joyful"[57] St. Francis Choir[58]

(featuring Devin Kamin, Lauryn Hill, Ron Johnson, Ryan Toby)

"Ain't No Mountain High Enough"[57] Cast and Whoopi Goldberg
"Freedom
(Theme from Panther)" 		1995 Various: Aaliyah, Felicia Adams, May May Ali, Amel Larrieux, Az-Iz, Blackgirl, Mary J. Blige, Tanya Blount, Brownstone, Casserine, Changing Faces, Coko, Tyler Collins, N'Dea Davenport, E.V.E., Emage, En Vogue, Eshe & Laurneá (of Arrested Development), Female, For Real, Penny Ford, Lalah Hathaway, Jade, Jamecia, Jazzyfatnastees, Queen Latifah, Billy Lawrence, Joi, Brigette McWilliams, Milira, Miss Jones, Cindy Mizelle, Monica, Me’Shell NdegéOcello, Natasha, Pebbles, Pure Soul, Raja-Nee, Brenda Russell, SWV, Chantay Savage, Sonja Marie, Tracie Spencer, Sweet Sable, TLC, Terri & Monica, Vybe, Crystal Waters, Caron Wheeler, Karyn White, Vanessa Williams, Xscape, Y?N-Vee, Zhané Panther: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Right Here"[14] 2008 Tanya Blount The Family That Preys

Writing credits

Title Year Artist(s) Album
"I Love Him"[43] 2000 Tanya Blount Nothin' But The Hotness In '98 and Bad Boy 2000
(Compilations by Bad Boy Entertainment)
"Right Here"[14] 2008 Tanya Blount The Family That Preys

Filmography

Published works

  • Through the Rain 40 Principles for Surviving Life's Challenges

Awards

Notes

  1. ^ Natural Thing did not enter the Billboard Heatseekers Albums, but peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums - East North Central chart.[24]

References

  1. ^ "Tanya Trotter". ELYSIAN Magazine. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2023-11-10.
  2. ^ Boulware, Dorothy S. (2000-11-03). "Morgan choir makes beautiful music in Prague". Baltimore Afro-American. Morgan's choir... has produced local and national musicians like Kevin Short, Kishna Davis, Tanya Blount...
  3. ^ "Blount 2 Blount Duo Brings Gospel to Another Level". MadameNoire. January 30, 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  4. ^ BRATHWAITE, LES FABIAN (3 March 2016). "Whoopi Joined Broad City for an Epic Tribute to Sister Act 2". OUT. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  5. ^ Jehnzen, Daevid. "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit - Original Soundtrack". Allmusic. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) - Full Cast and Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  8. ^ a b c d "Tanya Blount Discography at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Hopkinson, Natalie (February 2, 2000). "Breaking Her Silence". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  10. ^ GONZALES, MICHAEL A. (24 May 2016). "Bad Boys for God: Diddy's Lost Gospel Album". EBONY. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  11. ^ "New York Theatre Critics' Reviews". Critics' Theatre Reviews, Incorporated, 1996. 4 Mar 2008. p. 375. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  12. ^ Dan Dietz (21 Nov 2012). Off Broadway Musicals, 1910–2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows. McFarland & Company. p. 61. ISBN 9780786457311. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  13. ^ "Artist Spotlight: Tanya Blount-Trotter". 30 April 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  14. ^ a b c "The Family That Preys (2008) - Soundtrack - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  15. ^ St. Vil, Christine (13 June 2013). "Power Couple: Michael & Tanya Trotter (Blount)". Black and Married With Kids. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  16. ^ "The War & Treaty "Down To The River" A Sight To Behold". Soul Bounce. July 17, 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  17. ^ Estey, Chris (July 17, 2017). "The War & Treaty "Down To The River" A Sight To Behold". Paste. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  18. ^ a b L. Betts, Stephen (31 May 2018). "Hear Gospel-Blues Duo the War and Treaty's Celebratory New Song 'Healing Tide'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "The War And Treaty (Top Current Album Sales)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Heatseekers Albums: Up and Coming Musicians Chart (August 25, 2018)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  21. ^ "Independent Albums (August 25, 2018)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  22. ^ "Tanya Blount Album & Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  23. ^ Harrington, Richard (2000-02-18). "Hitting the Historical High Notes". Washington Post. Tanya Blount, the big-voiced singer from Temple Hills, released her one and only album in 1994, producing two minor hits.
  24. ^ "Chart Search (Title: Natural Thing)". Billboard. Billboard.biz. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  25. ^ "Love Affair by Trotter & Blount on Apple Music". Apple Music. 4 March 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  26. ^ "Healing Tide by The War and Treaty". Apple Music. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  27. ^ "Music". The War and Treaty. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  28. ^ "Hearts Town by The War and Treaty on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  29. ^ "Hearts Town". The War and Treaty. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  30. ^ "The War and Treaty: Live At Blue House". Spotify. 21 January 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  31. ^ "CD Review: The War And Treaty Debut Their Music "Live At Blue House Studios"". JP's Music Blog. January 21, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  32. ^ Demps, Phinesse (February 27, 2015). "The War and Treaty CD 'LIVE at Blue House'". The Baltimore Times. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  33. ^ "The War And Treaty Set To Release Debut Live CD; Proceeds To Operation Second Chance". Open 'Til Midnight. December 16, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  34. ^ "Husband and wife Duo, 'The War and Treaty' release new hit album". Zoom Dune. January 4, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  35. ^ "The War And Treaty Fear Black Men Won't 'Make It Home Tonight'". Soul Bounce. July 14, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  36. ^ "Down to the River by The War and Treaty on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  37. ^ "Tanya Blount Album & Chart History (Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  38. ^ "Tanya Blount Album & Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  39. ^ "Tanya Blount Album & Chart History (Adult R&B)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  40. ^ a b "TANYA BLOUNT - full Chart History - Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  41. ^ "Tanya Blount – Remember Love (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  42. ^ a b "Various – Special Gift at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  43. ^ a b "Jerome (4) / Tanya Blount – No Disturb Sign / Dear Yvette / I Love Him at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  44. ^ "Various Artists Album & Chart History (Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  45. ^ "Various Artists Album & Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  46. ^ "Various Artists Album & Chart History (Adult R&B)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
  47. ^ "The War and Treaty Chart History (Triple A Songs)". Billboard.com. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  48. ^ "Hi Ho - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  49. ^ "Healing Tide - Single by The War and Treaty". Spotify. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  50. ^ Graff, Gary (12 July 2018). "The War and Treaty Get Real About Relationships on 'Are You Ready to Love Me?': Premiere". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
  51. ^ "Jealousy / Hustlin' - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  52. ^ "We Are One - Single by The War and Treaty on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  53. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (July 16, 2020). "The War & Treaty Channel Seventies Soul in New Song 'Five More Minutes'". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  54. ^ "Various – Nothin' But The Hotness In '98 (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  55. ^ "Various – Bad Boy Entertainment Presents: Emotional (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  56. ^ "Witness - 7 Sons of Soul - Songs, Reviews, Credits - Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  57. ^ a b c d "Various – Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit (CD) at Discogs". Allmusic. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  58. ^ a b "The St. Francis Choir at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  59. ^ Walton, Brian M. (1995-03-08). "Diana Ross & Queen Latifah To Be Honored At The Soul Train Music Awards". Washington Informer. Local talent is represented with Tanya Blount up for Best R&B/Soul New Artist...