The War and Treaty

The War and Treaty is an American husband-and-wife duo composed of singer-songwriters Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. Their music blends elements of soul, R&B, gospel, southern rock, and Americana, creating a sound that appeals to both large live audiences and intimate listening environments. Tanya Trotter previously performed alongside Lauryn Hill in the film "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," delivering a rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," and later pursued an R&B career, releasing charting singles and signing with Bad Boy Records. Michael Trotter Jr. served in the Army with two tours in Iraq, where he began writing and performing songs to honor fallen soldiers, inspired by his experiences during deployment.

The War and Treaty was founded in 2014, with the duo's name reflecting a personal moment between the artists. Their debut EP, "Down to the River," was followed by the album "Healing Tide," which received recognition from NPR and Rolling Stone. Their second album, "Hearts Town," included a collaboration with Emmylou Harris and produced the Triple A top 40 single "Five More Minutes." The song draws from a pivotal moment in Michael Trotter Jr.'s life, highlighting the duo's focus on personal storytelling within their music.

After signing with Universal Music Group Nashville, The War and Treaty released "Lover's Game," and collaborated with Zach Bryan on the song "Hey Driver," which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The duo became the first Black act to be nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Duo of the Year and the Academy of Country Music Award for Duo of the Year. They also received Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best American Roots Song for "Blank Page." The duo earned an Emmy Award for their work with the NFL's Tennessee Titans and released their fourth studio album, "Plus One," recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals and produced primarily by Michael Trotter Jr.

The War and Treaty is recognized for dynamic live performances, having opened for Al Green and toured with Brandi Carlile and Jason Isbell. Their collaborations span artists such as Dierks Bentley, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Leslie Jordan, Mumford & Sons, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Sturgill Simpson. The duo has performed at the White House and continues to contribute to the country, Americana, and roots music landscape with a catalog that explores themes of resilience, redemption, and love.