Early life and education

Morgan State University

Morgan State University

Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute , Morgan College and Morgan State College , is a historically black college in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Morgan is Maryland's designated public urban university and the largest HBCU in the state of Maryland...

, where she majored in psychology and sang in the university choir.

Career

She secured a major recording deal with Polydor now Island/Def Jam Records at age 19 and by 20 was featured in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit is a 1993 comedy film starring Whoopi Goldberg. Directed by Bill Duke, and released by Touchstone Pictures, it is the sequel to the successful 1992 film Sister Act...

, where she performed a memorable duet of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow

His Eye is on the Sparrow

"His Eye Is on the Sparrow" is a Gospel hymn. Although today it is a staple of African-American worship services, the song was originally written in 1905 by two white songwriters, lyricist Civilla D. Martin and composer Charles H. Gabriel...

" with Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Noelle Hill is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress.Early in her career, she established her reputation as a member of the Fugees. In 1998, she launched her solo career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album, The Miseducation of...

. Her first album, Natural Thing, was released in 1994 and peaked at number seven. The album's single "Through the Rain" peaked at #7 on the Billboard chart and earned her a nomination for The Soul Train Awards Best New Artist 1995, two singles followed in 1995 "I'm Gonna Make You Mine" (#57) and "Hold On".

Blount has had a consistent musical theatre career in productions including "What Every Woman Wants", "Sneaky", "Preacher's Kids", "Born to Sing!" and "Christmas in Washington".

One of the first appearances of Tanya’s recent works, "Right Here" in the 2008 Tyler Perry film The Family That Preys

The Family That Preys

The Family That Preys is a 2008 American drama written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. The screenplay, focuses on two families, one wealthy and the other working class, whose lives are intertwined in both love and business....

.
Tanya is married to Christian Contemporary Recording artist Michael Trotter Jr. She currently lives in Bowie, MD and is releasing her sophomore book entitled "Top Model" in May 2011

Discography

• Natural Thing (Polygram, 1994)
• "Freedom" (all-star single, Mercury
  Mercury Records
  Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
  
  , 1995)
• "Right Here", The Family That Preys
  The Family That Preys
  The Family That Preys is a 2008 American drama written, produced and directed by Tyler Perry. The screenplay, focuses on two families, one wealthy and the other working class, whose lives are intertwined in both love and business....
  
  (2008)

Awards

• 1995: nominee, Soul Train Music Award, Best New Artist
  Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist
  The Soul Train Music Award for Best New Artist has been given out every year since the first annual Soul Train Music Awards in 1987.-External links:**...
  
  

External links