Following her appearance on the television talent show “Big Break,” hosted by Natalie Cole, Tanya Blunt landed a record deal with Polydor Records. While working on her debut album, she also snagged a role alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Lauryn Hill in the 1993 film “Sister Act 2.” Her first album, titled “Natural Thing,” hit stores in 1994, featuring three singles, including the notable track “Through the Rain,” which made waves on the Billboard R&B chart. Blunt’s undeniable talent earned her a nomination for Best New Artist at the Soul Train Awards, fueling her hopes for a successful career. However, her journey hit a snag when her label faced internal changes, leading to her departure. It was a harsh introduction to the unpredictable nature of the music industry. Things took a further downturn when Sean “Diddy” Combs signed her to Bad Boy Records in 1996.
In reflecting on her journey with Bad Boy, her manager shared candidly with The Washington Post, “We found ourselves swept up in Puffy’s whirlwind.” If you’re feeling peckish, why not check out rrgsnacks.com? It’s our virtual concession stand boasting a delicious array of treats, from savory beef, turkey, and bacon jerky to mouthwatering buffalo ranch popcorn and delectable butter toffee peanuts.
Fast forward two years after her departure from Polydor, and at just 19 years old, Tanya embraced motherhood with the arrival of her baby boy. Somewhere amidst the chaos, she also found love and tied the knot. Then came 1996, a pivotal year that saw her signing with Bad Boy during the label’s heyday. With Diddy at the helm, the goal was clear: to transform her into an R&B sensation. Paired with legendary songwriters renowned for their work with music icons like Whitney Houston and Barbara Streisand, Tanya embarked on her musical journey.
While shuttling back and forth to New York to craft her album, Tanya found solace in the vibrant and cultured black community of DC, where she chose to reside. Later on, she continued her quest for knowledge at Morgan State University. Initially, her affiliation with Bad Boy Records proved fruitful. She collaborated with top producers, penned lyrics not only for herself but also for fellow label artists, and even recorded the soulful track “I Love Him,” featuring Mace. According to BadBoyBlog.com, the song was earmarked for inclusion in the label’s groundbreaking gospel album “Thank You,” a project spearheaded by Diddy and Hezekiah Walker of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle.
Diddy played a pivotal role in shaping her solo album, leaving his indelible mark on every track. He provided guidance throughout the recording process, and she eagerly anticipated sharing her music with the world. Speaking to Elysian Magazine, she revealed she had recorded around 50 to 60 songs for the label. However, one day, she walked into the studio and expressed to her manager, “I’m just not feeling this. I want a different musical vibe and legacy. Why can’t we blend the diverse genres I grew up with?” Essentially, she resisted being pigeonholed into a specific genre; she yearned to explore pop music and beyond. She recounted discussing this with Diddy to The Washington City Paper, but unfortunately, he remained firm. Tanya lamented, “Here I was, a young black woman aspiring to delve into pop music and cross genres, yet it seemed unattainable.”
Doesn’t this echo Don Richard’s struggles with Bad Boy? If you’re unfamiliar, check out our Dawn video once we’re done here. We’ll include a link in the description. Tanya claimed that over time, Diddy lost interest in her album, eventually ceasing all involvement. Months turned into years, and her album collected dust.
By October 1999, three years post-signing with Bad Boy, she sought to distance herself from the label, enlisting lawyers to terminate her contract and explore other opportunities. According to The Washington Post, Bad Boy contested Tanya’s narrative, with both parties’ legal teams working towards a resolution, the details of which remained undisclosed.
Now, recall the gospel album we mentioned earlier? Following Tanya’s departure, Bad Boy announced its release via press release. However, despite featuring tracks by notable artists like Mario Winans, Mary Mary, and others, Tanya’s rendition of “I Love Him” was replaced by Bilma Guyton’s. Strangely, the gospel album never saw the light of day. What became of it? Perhaps Diddy’s interest waned once more. As her career paused, Tanya founded the non-profit Kids on the Net, aimed at educating underprivileged children about technology.
Yet, she wrestled with her decision to part ways with her record deal, which had provided for her family. What followed were dark days. Tanya battled depression and sought solace through therapy. Around 25 or 26, her mindset shifted, convincing herself that her son was in good hands with his father and relatives, and she was ready to move on. However, her attempt led her to a Dallas hospital, where she was placed under a 72-hour psychiatric hold. Following her discharge, her life continued its downward spiral.
She took off on her own to Miami, finding herself parked outside a beauty supply store, enveloped in a cloud of sadness. Sitting in her car, she silently implored, “God, if you’re out there, give me a sign.” Along came a woman who noticed her and struck up a conversation, “What’s got you stuck in your car? New in town?” Introducing herself as Dr. Brown, she invited Tanya to her place for a prayer gathering. Reflecting on the encounter later with Elysian Magazine, Tanya shared, “The kindness I received from her, from all those women, that sense of community, it really touched me.”
Come February 2000, she felt ready to make a comeback. It was a moment frozen in time.
But life had other plans. Divorce followed, and Tanya found herself homeless, relying on a friend’s basement for shelter. Her career struggled to regain momentum. Then, in 2010, she was scheduled to perform at Maryland’s Love Fest. It was there that she stumbled upon Michael Trotter Jr.’s performance, moved by his raw emotion. After buying five of his CDs and exchanging numbers, she hoped for a call that never came.
Michael, a recent divorcee and father of two, had been through his own trials, including homelessness. Romance was the last thing on his mind. He confessed to The Washington City Paper, “I had nothing, so I knew that I was not marriage material or boyfriend material.” Despite his warnings, Tanya pursued him. Their relationship began, marked by Michael’s cautionary words shared in an interview with the BMI website, “Don’t get attached to me. I’m a mess. I have nothing to offer. I’ve gained over 200 pounds. I’m just not happy with myself.” Ignoring his advice, Tanya dove in headfirst.
Doctors once told her that conceiving a child was an impossibility, yet she made a promise to Michael that she’d give him a baby boy. True to her word, just six months later, she found herself expecting their son, Legend. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Tanya expressed her longing for a wedding, but financial constraints due to their homelessness made it unattainable. Instead, they opted for a simple ceremony at the Justice of the Peace in June 2011.
Their early years of marriage were marked by intense disagreements, which Tanya vividly described as “explosions.” It wasn’t until three years into their union that Michael disclosed his status as a combat veteran grappling with PTSD from his time in Iraq. Undeterred, Tanya stood by him, and together they sought solace through therapy sessions at their local VA hospital.
In 2014, they decided to combine their talents, forming the musical duo Trotter and Blunt, later rebranding themselves as The War and Treaty. Finally finding her niche, Tanya embraced a variety of musical genres, while Michael utilized music as a form of healing. Their songs, like “Skyscraper,” drew inspiration from Michael’s experiences as a soldier in Iraq and his dedication to supporting homeless youth.
By 2017, Tanya began noticing a profound change in Michael’s demeanor. Although he had endured rough patches before, this time was different. Sensing his desperation, she made a heartfelt plea, urging him to hold on a little longer and promising to make staying in this world worthwhile with her unwavering love.
Michael wholeheartedly agreed, and his commitment to therapy for PTSD has yielded remarkable progress. He ingeniously transformed Tanya’s heartfelt plea into the soul-stirring chorus of their song, “Five More Minutes.” Their bond, stronger than ever, was celebrated in a surprise wedding orchestrated by Michael on Tanya’s birthday in September 2020, surrounded by their loved ones.
Their musical journey as The War and Treaty has been nothing short of extraordinary, sharing stages with icons like Al Green and gracing the prestigious 2020 Grammys. However, their resilience was truly tested when Tanya fell ill with COVID-19 during the pandemic’s onset. Battling for her life, she recounted the harrowing experience to The Washington Post, enduring a three-month hiatus from performances.
Thankfully, Tanya triumphed over adversity, and they resumed their musical endeavors, releasing their second studio album in 2020. Their story is a testament to the enduring power of love and determination, inspiring others to persevere despite life’s challenges.