The War and Treaty—Michael Trotter and Tanya Trotter—sit down with Jasmine Sanders at BET 2026 for a powerful conversation about Black country music, their origin story, and the new album reclaiming a space Black artists built. If you love real country music, soul, and Americana, this interview is a must-watch.
In this segment, Michael and Tanya trace the deep roots of Black artists in country music history, from Ray Charles’ Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music to the Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline records that shaped Tanya’s childhood in Cleveland. They share how a Maryland love story turned into a genre-blending career, and why country music has always belonged to the culture. “We own that space,” Tanya says—and this conversation is a gentle reminder that you can always return home.
The duo also opens up about their new album, a celebration of journey, family, and musical heritage. They break down the R&B and outlaw country fusion behind the record, including the lead single “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore” written with Babyface, the Isley-inspired “Don’t Say Goodbye,” and the powerhouse female anthem “High Heels” that closes the project.
Plus, Jasmine, Michael, and Tanya celebrate the artists pushing country forward—Mickey Guyton, Shaboozey, Beyoncé, Darius Rucker, Britney Spencer, Breland, Willie Jones, and more—and the arrival of a BET country music category that reflects how many of us have always been here.
00:00 — Welcome to BET 2026 with The War and Treaty
00:42 — How Michael and Tanya met in Maryland and built their sound
01:39 — Tanya’s roots: Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline & Ray Charles’ country album
02:08 — “We own that space”: Black artists and the truth of country music history
02:31 — A country girl’s confession: from Waylon to Marty Stewart and CMT
03:16 — The faces missing from country: Charley Pride, Darius Rucker & the long gap
03:49 — Mickey Guyton, Shaboozey & a shout out to Beyoncé opening doors
04:08 — Will we ever be accepted? Why these spaces were always ours
04:20 — The BET country music category & the new wave: Britney Spencer, Breland, Willie Jones & more
05:22 — Beyond the artists: the radio personalities and correspondents telling our story
05:52 — Inside the new album: R&B meets outlaw country
06:27 — The October–November tour: LA, Atlanta, Houston & more
06:46 — The stories behind the record: family, journey & musical culture
07:03 — “Don’t Say Goodbye,” the Babyface single “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore” & the “High Heels” anthem
07:31 — No walls: taking up space and opening the door for the next generation
08:05 — Catch The War and Treaty at the BET Awards & on tour
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