Tanya Trotter
American actress, author and musician
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Tanya Trotter (née Blount) is an American actress, musician and author. She began her career as a teen actress, appearing in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), where she performed "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" in a duet with Lauryn Hill. 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 country music 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]
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 & 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 that the War and Treaty's debut album Healing Tide was 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.
Personal life
Trotter is married to her bandmate Michael Trotter and has a son named Antonio.
Discography
Studio albums
| 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) |
|
– | – | – | – |
| Plus One (as The War and Treaty) |
|
– | – | – | – |
Live albums
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
| 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
| 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
| 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
- Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) - Tanya
Published works
- Through the Rain 40 Principles for Surviving Life's Challenges
Awards
- 1995: nominee, Soul Train Music Award, Best New Artist[59]
- 2019: winner, Americana Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year (with The War and Treaty)
Notes
- Natural Thing did not enter the Billboard Heatseekers Albums, but peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums - East North Central chart.[24]