The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. is sharing his inspiring journey of overcoming challenges to reach where he is today. Joining Bunnie XO‘s Dumb Blonde podcast, Trotter delves into his past experiences with gangs and family trauma.
Exploring the Journey
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Life in Cleveland
“Cleveland is not something I talk about often,” Trotter explained. “Growing up in Cleveland, I grew up in a strict Christian household, it was very cultish to me. Friday night sundown to Saturday night sundown. It’s nothing but God. You can’t do anything. You can’t watch TV, I couldn’t go play with friends, none of that stuff. It was just church, church. It really altered my life for a minute there.”
He continued, “It was a big contrast to what real life was. Friday to Sunday it was like, ‘Hallelujah, Jesus, Jesus’ and the rest of the week, we were living like s—.”
Struggles and Rebellion
The singer noted that in his faith, everyone was “putting on this faith and saying that they’re happy,” but divorce and drugs were prominent throughout the community. He started “rebelling” early in life, after dealing with abuse at the hands of his father, who was struggling with addiction. “I turned to the streets in Cleveland, had a strong gang life. The gang association is called Folks, and I had a cousin who was very high up in gang life in Cleveland. I had my little initiation and I started selling.”
Trotter shared that his gang activity started at age 11. “I got stabbed when I was 12, and I think that was the turning point,” he recalled. “I was laying in the streets of Cleveland, and my cousin had been killed, so my mom then was like, ‘We need to get out of Cleveland and get to D.C.’”
Growth and Success
Over time, and through processing his PTSD, Trotter has grown through his trauma, forming The War and Treaty in 2014 with his wife, Tanya. Since then, the husband-and-wife duo have achieved musical success. The War and Treaty were one of two country acts nominated in the Grammys’ best new artist category in 2024; the other was Jelly Roll, Bunnie XO’s husband.
Conclusion
Michael Trotter Jr.’s journey from a challenging past to musical success is a testament to resilience and determination. Through his experiences with gangs and family trauma, he has emerged stronger and more determined to make a positive impact through his music.
FAQs
Q: What inspired Michael Trotter Jr. to share his story?
A: Michael Trotter Jr. was inspired to share his journey to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges and to show that it is possible to overcome adversity.
Q: How did forming The War and Treaty impact Michael Trotter Jr.’s life?
A: Forming The War and Treaty with his wife, Tanya, provided Michael Trotter Jr. with a creative outlet to process his trauma and achieve musical success, transforming his life in a positive direction.
Credit: www.billboard.com
