When Beyoncé took home the Grammy for Best Country Album in 2025, it marked a pivotal moment in the genre’s evolution toward greater inclusivity. For Michael Trotter Jr. and his wife, Tanya Trotter, who together form the acclaimed duo The War and Treaty, this shift was not just a reflection of broader trends—it was personal.
In 2024, the duo received a nomination for Best New Artist, and Trotter recognized a growing shift within the industry. “In these award shows, especially the Grammys, they give slots to genres to represent,” he shared. “War and Treaty and Jelly Roll represented country music. Neither entity is the poster child for what a country artist should look and sound like, yet we made such an impact that country music wanted us to represent them.”
The War and Treaty’s approach to country music is anything but traditional. Their latest album, Plus One, defies the standard Nashville formula, blending gospel, rock, bluegrass, and R&B influences into a unique sonic tapestry. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the rich diversity of American music.
Tanya Trotter reflected on her eclectic musical background: “I grew up listening to Celia Cruz, to Leontyne Price. My vocabulary of music led me to getting a classical music scholarship. I could go in and out of genres that I wanted to at any moment.” She emphasized the importance of creative freedom: “If you’re going the professional route, yes, industries work with genres. But as an artist and as a creative, you have to do what you want to do.”
With Plus One, The War and Treaty continues to challenge the norms and carve out their own space in a genre that is slowly becoming more inclusive and representative of diverse voices and sounds.
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