Mary Mary

American gospel duo

This article is about the musical duo. For other uses, see Mary Mary (disambiguation).

Mary Mary

Erica and Tina performing in 2023

Background information
Origin| Inglewood, California, U.S.
Years active|

* 1998–2012
* 2017
* 2018
* 2021—present

Labels| MyBlock Inc, under exclusive license to SRG-ILS Group, distributed by Universal Music Group
Members|

* Erica Atkins-Campbell
* Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell

Website| ilovemarymary.com

Mary Mary is an American urban contemporary gospel duo formed in 1998, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell.[1] Their name is inspired by two biblical figures: Mary, mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.[2] They are credited with expanding the reach of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by blending elements of soul, hip-hop, funk, and jazz.[3] The duo has been nominated for eleven Grammy Awards, winning four, including Best Gospel Performance and Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

Mary Mary received mainstream success following the release of their debut album, Thankful (2000), which featured their breakthrough hit "Shackles (Praise You)". Their follow-up album, Incredible (2002), topped the Top Gospel Albums chart. In 2005, they released their self-titled third album, Mary Mary, which produced multiple number-one gospel hits and led to a performance at the White House that same year.

Their fourth album, The Sound (2008), continued their success with hits like "Get Up" and "God in Me". In 2011, they released their fifth studio album, Something Big, followed by the compilation album Go Get It (2012) before going on hiatus. In 2012, they premiered their reality television series, Mary Mary, on WE tv.

## Early years

[edit]

The Atkins sisters, born Erica Monique and Trecina Evette, grew up in a large family with seven siblings in Inglewood, California.[4] Their mother, Thomasina Atkins, is an evangelist and choir director at the Church of God in Christ. Their father, Eddie A. Atkins, was also a member of the Church of God in Christ, and a youth counselor, before he died in 2013.

Due to their proximity in age, the two sisters grew up closer to one another than to any of their siblings:[1] Darrell Atkins (born 1965, the only living boy – the second boy died as a child), Maliea Atkins (born 1967), Erica (born 1972), Tina (born 1974), Delisa Atkins-Brown (born 1977), Thomasina Atkins (born 1978), Alana Atkins-Jamison (born 1985), and Shanta Atkins (born 1986). Later, they would work creatively with over half of their siblings; Thomasina, Alana, Delisa and Shanta Atkins all sing background on Mary Mary's albums and during stage performances and Delisa was originally a member of the group but left before they started recording professionally due to pursuing college.[1] Eventually, all eight Atkins children united on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.

During this time, Erica and Trecina entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and television productions. The sisters enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they encountered the division between rigorous academic study of music versus the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument."[5] In 1995 the two toured with Michael Matthews' traveling gospel shows, Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts, including Brandy.

## Career

[edit]

### 1999-2001: Thankful

[edit]

Main article: Thankful

After meeting producer Warryn Campbell, a publishing deal was reached with music conglomerate EMI. This led to a series of their songs being on movie soundtracks; they wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle, they performed "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt, and several of their songs were recorded by 702. However, the sister's profile really started to rise in the gospel industry when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on Mountain High... Valley Low. During this time, Mary Mary as a musical entity formed.

The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene.[6] They were the first gospel act to record for the industry giant Columbia Records since Tramaine Hawkins in the mid-1990s. Their first single "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit; enticing gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It ranked Top 5 in R&B, Top 10 for pop hit, and peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first gospel song in five years to crack the R&B top ten and gained wide exposure on MTV. Their debut album Thankful was released in May 2000; it peaked at number one on the Gospel Album Chart and climbed to 59 on the overall Top 200 chart. Overall, the album was certified 2× Platinum for shipments of two million copies in the United States, it went on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. While the second single "I Sings" features rapper BB Jay, both were hits in the UK and Europe. Their only Top 10 UK hit to date is "Shackles (Praise You)" which reached number five on the UK Singles Chart in June 2000. The follow-up "I Sings" peaked at UK number 32.[7]

### 2002: Incredible

[edit]

Main article: Incredible

With their second album, Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. Soon after its release in July 2002, it was number one on the Gospel Albums Chart and entered the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later certified Gold for selling 500,000 copies in the United States. The album's singles were "In The Morning" and "I Try". While this album charted higher than their debut, sales were lower. The duo attributed the lower sales to less aggressive promotion due to label switch-overs and the advent of music piracy. In November 2003, they released their biography Transparent.[8]

### 2005-06: Mary Mary and A Mary Mary Christmas

[edit]

Main article: Mary Mary

After taking time off to have children, Mary Mary released their self-titled third album Mary Mary in July 2005. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later certified Gold for selling in excess of 500,000 copies. The first single, "Heaven," contained a sample from seventies song "Want Ads" from soul trio the Honey Cone's. "Heaven" made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented nine-week run at number one on Billboard's Gospel Radio Chart. Their second single, "The Real Party (Trevon's Birthday)," debuted at number 43 on the Gospel Radio Chart with a third, "Yesterday," becoming a hit on the Adult R&B Chart and peaking at number 10. On the R&B/Hip Hop Chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles (Praise You)" in 2000 reached number 50. The album's final single, "Believer," indicated testimonies of being a Christian and hit number 33 on the Gospel Radio chart.

### 2007-10: Sunday Best and The Sound

[edit]

Main article: Sunday Best (American TV series)

On October 21, 2008, they released their fifth studio album, The Sound.[9][10] The lead single, "Get Up," was released digitally via ITunes on July 15, 2008. Mary Mary's The Sound achieved great success in the mainstream market and sold over 37,000 copies in its first week, making it their best charting album to date. It debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200, number two on the US R&B chart, and topped both gospel and country music charts. The album held the number one position on the Billboard's Gospel Album Chart for over six months since its release.[11] Warryn Campbell produced the album and collaborated with many professionals: Kierra Sheard-Kelly, David Banner, Marvin Winans, Daryl Coley, Andrae Crouch, The Rance Allen Group, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Joe Ligon, Walter Hawkins, Tramaine Hawkins, and Karen Clark-Sheard. In spring 2009, "God in Me" achieved crossover success by reaching number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop Chart and number one on the Hot Dance Club Play.

### 2010-12: Something Big, Go Get It, and reality show

[edit]

In 2009, Mary Mary began recording their sixth studio album. In April 2010, they released a book entitled, Be U via Simon & Schuster.[12] In the fall of 2010, they released "Walking" as the lead single from their forthcoming album. Originally titled OMG, the project was renamed Something Big after the success of R&B singer Usher's hit single, "OMG" in 2010. Their album was released on March 29, 2011. Mary Mary debuted the title track "Something Big" on the BET's Celebration of Gospel 2011.

In efforts of promoting "Go Get It," Mary Mary announced a Go Get It Tour. The tour was in ten different cities across the United States, beginning in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 25, and ending in Hampton, Virginia, on November 17. Supported acts included: Isaac Carree, VaShawn Mitchell, Anthony and Group Therapy, and Sunday's Best finalist Jessica Reedy and Anita Wilson.[13]

### 2014-present: Group hiatus and solo projects

[edit]

In 2014, Erica Campbell released a solo album titled Help, which won Best Gospel Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. Her follow-up album titled Help 2.0 was released in March 2015. Erica also hosts a morning radio show, Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell owned by Radio One with comedian Arlen "Griff" Griffin. In May 2015, Tina released her debut solo album It's Personal. The album coincides with the release of her memoir I Need a Day to Pray.[14]

In July 2016, Mary Mary released a new single called "Back to You" from the upcoming Ben-Hur movie soundtrack. In August 2017, Tina released a deluxe edition of her first album, titled It's Still Personal. In 2018 Mary Mary made their reunion as a duo on the 2018 Stellar Awards on TV One, performing a medley of their hits.[15]

In 2018, Erica Campbell and her husband Warryn announced their upcoming series premiering on TVOne. This announcement came on the heels of Mary Mary ending their WeTv reality show.[16]

In 2022, Mary Mary, accompanied by the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing" at Super Bowl LVI and had a tribute to honor Black History Month gospel music by Faith City Music, Tim Bowman Jr. and Kim Burrell. Mary Mary also performed at a special Easter Verzuz, competing against gospel duo BeBe & CeCe Winans.[17]

## Personal lives

[edit]

Both sisters are married to musicians with the same last name: Warryn Campbell and Teddy Campbell.[18] Tina married Teddy in 2000. Together, they have four children: Laiah Simone (born September 9, 2003),[19] daughter Meela Jane (born June 11, 2007),[20][21] son Glendon Theodore II (born October 20, 2009),[22][23] and son Santana (born August 4, 2012).[24]

Erica married their record producer Warryn on May 26, 2001. They have three children: Krista Nicole (born September 13, 2004), Warryn III (born April 24, 2010),[25] and Zaya Monique (born January 24, 2012).[26][27] The following year, Warryn was ordained as a pastor. In 2015, the couple founded the California Worship Center in North Hollywood, Los Angeles.[28][29]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Mary Mary discography

* Thankful (2000)
* Incredible (2002)
* Mary Mary (2005)
* A Mary Mary Christmas (2006)
* The Sound (2008)
* Something Big (2011)

## See also

[edit]

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Mary Mary

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "biography Mary Mary fansite bio". Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
2. ^ "Reviews – Mary Mary". GospelFlava.com. May 2, 2000. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
3. ^ "Thankful". Lyrics.com.
4. ^ "Five Things You Should Know About Mary Mary". tlcnaptown.com. March 2013.
5. ^ "Making Gospel You Can Dance To". Los Angeles Times. July 2000.
6. ^ "Mary Mary". 2017.[permanent dead link]
7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 353\. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
8. ^ Campell, Tina; Mitchell, Sherri (November 3, 2003). Transparent. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 1566251923.
9. ^ Yarbrough, Kenya M. (May 9, 2008). "MARY MARY MOTHER'S DAY GIFT SONG: Gospel duo helps Colgate-Palmolive send smiles". Archived from the original on May 15, 2008.
10. ^ "Log In or Sign Up to View". www.facebook.com.
11. ^ America's #1 Gospel Group Mary Mary Invited to Open Final Three Shows on Maxwell's North...[dead link] (August 2, 2009). Columbia Records/Forbes. Accessed August 8, 2009.
12. ^ Mary, Mary (April 6, 2010). "Be U: Be Honest, Be Beautiful, Be Intentional, Be Strong, Be You!". Howard Books - via Amazon.
13. ^ "Mary Mary Announces 'Go Get It,' Tour Dates!!". November 16, 2017.
14. ^ "It's Personal by Tina Campbell on iTunes". iTunes. Archived from the original on June 16, 2015.
15. ^ "Mary Mary reunites at the 2018 Stellar Awards; Snoop Dogg goes gospel". March 27, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
16. ^ "The Campbells Are Coming To TV One This Summer". March 30, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
17. ^ Aderoju, Darlene (April 18, 2022). "5 Most Memorable Moments from Mary Mary, BeBe & Cece Winans' Easter Verzuz Battle". Billboard. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
18. ^ "Monday August 1st 2005". Tavis Smiley. PBS. Archived from the original on January 13, 2006.
19. ^ Therese Romano. "Offstage". TodaysChristianMusic.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2004.
20. ^ "GOSPEL SUPERSTARS TINA & TEDDY CAMPBELL RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: Baby No. 2 is due in July". Black Entertainment News - EURWeb.com. Archived from the original on January 10, 2007.
21. ^ "MARY MARY SINGER PREGNANT: Tina Campbell and husband expecting baby in the summer". Black Entertainment News - EURWeb.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2007.
22. ^ "Black News, Entertainment, Style and Culture - HuffPost Black Voices". Archived from the original on March 3, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2009.
23. ^ "Word Has It: Now, The OTHER Mary Is Pregnant". October 21, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
24. ^ Sangweni, Yolanda (August 4, 2012). "Mary Mary's Tina Campbell Welcomes Son Santana Campbell". Essence.com. Retrieved December 17, 2012.
25. ^ "Black News, Entertainment, Style and Culture - HuffPost Black Voices". Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
26. ^ "Erica and Tina Campbell: Grammy-Winning Sisters | Video — ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. July 19, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
27. ^ "Erica Atkins-campbell Welcomes Baby Daughter". January 25, 2012.
28. ^ "California Worship Center " Contact Us". Archived from the original on July 21, 2015.
29. ^ "Pastor Warryn & First Lady Erica Campbell Hold First Official Sunday Service at their new Church | The Belle Report | 24/7 Gospel & Entertainment News". April 15, 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Mary Mary

* Erica Atkins Campbell
* Trecina "Tina" Atkins Campbell

Studio albums|

* Thankful
* Incredible
* Mary Mary
* A Mary Mary Christmas
* The Sound
* Something Big

Compilation albums|

* Go Get It

Singles|

* "Shackles (Praise You)"
* "I Sings"
* "Get Up"
* "God in Me"

Featured singles|

* "We Are the World 25 for Haiti"

Related articles|

* Discography

Awards for Mary Mary

* v
* t
* e

American Music Award for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist

* Yolanda Adams (2002)
* Avalon / Steven Curtis Chapman (2003)
* MercyMe (2004)
* Mary Mary (2005)
* Kirk Franklin (2006)
* Casting Crowns (2007)
* Third Day (2008)
* Mary Mary (2009)
* MercyMe (2010)
* Casting Crowns (2011)
* tobyMac (2012)
* Matthew West (2013)
* Casting Crowns (2014)
* Casting Crowns (2015)
* Hillsong United (2016)
* Lauren Daigle (2017)
* Lauren Daigle (2018)
* Lauren Daigle (2019)
* Lauren Daigle (2020)
* Carrie Underwood (2021)
* For King & Country (2022)

* v
* t
* e

BET Award for Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award

* Donnie McClurkin (2001)
* Yolanda Adams (2002)
* Yolanda Adams (2003)
* Yolanda Adams (2004)
* Donnie McClurkin (2005)
* Kirk Franklin (2006)
* Kirk Franklin (2007)
* Marvin Sapp (2008)
* Mary Mary (2009)
* Marvin Sapp (2010)
* Mary Mary (2011)
* Yolanda Adams (2012)
* Mary Mary (2013)
* Tamela Mann (2014)
* Lecrae (2015)
* Kirk Franklin (2016)
* Lecrae (2017)
* Lecrae and Tori Kelly (2018)
* Snoop Dogg and Rance Allen (2019)
* Kirk Franklin (2020)
* Kirk Franklin (2021)
* Kirk Franklin and Lil Baby (2022)
* Maverick City Music and Kirk Franklin (2023)
* Tems (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Duo or Group
(1979–2007)|

* The Jacksons (1979)
* The Commodores (1980)
* Kool & the Gang (1981)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1982)
* No Award (1983–1985)
* Atlantic Starr (1986)
* Gladys Knight & the Pips (1987)
* LeVert (1988)
* After 7 (1989)
* No Award (1990)
* The O'Jays (1991)
* Boyz II Men (1992)
* En Vogue (1993)
* No Award (1994)
* Boyz II Men (1995)
* Kirk Franklin (1996)
* Boyz II Men (1997)
* Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey (1998)
* Destiny's Child (1999)
* Destiny's Child (2000)
* Destiny's Child (2001)
* India Arie and Stevie Wonder (2002)
* Outkast (2003)
* Destiny's Child (2004)
* Destiny's Child (2005)
* The Cheetah Girls (2006)
* Eddie Levert and Gerald Levert (2007)

Duo, Group or
Collaboration
(2008–2019)|

* Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia (2008)
* Black Eyed Peas (2009)
* John Legend and The Roots (2010)
* Mary J. Blige and Drake (2011)
* Mary Mary (2012)
* Robin Thicke, T.I., and Pharrell (2013)
* Sam Smith and Mary J. Blige (2014)
* Empire Cast featuring Estelle and Jussie Smollett (2015)
* Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar (2016)
* Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (2017)
* Kendrick Lamar and SZA (2018)
* Blue Ivy, Saint Jhn, Beyoncé, and Wizkid (2019)

Contemporary
(2020–present)|

* Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2020)
* Tobe Nwigwe featuring Fat Nwigwe (2021)
* Chris Brown featuring Wizkid (2022)
* Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay (2023)
* Wizkid featuring Brent Faiyaz (2024)

Traditional
(2020–present)|

* Chloe x Halle (2020)
* Silk Sonic (2021)
* Silk Sonic (2022)
* Ciara and Chris Brown (2023)
* Adam Blackstone and Fantasia (2024)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Gospel Artist

* Andraé Crouch (1980)
* Shirley Caesar (1987)
* BeBe and CeCe Winans (1989)
* BeBe and CeCe Winans (1990)
* BeBe and CeCe Winans (1992)
* BeBe and CeCe Winans (1993)
* The Winans (1994)
* Kirk Franklin and the Family (1996)
* Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir (1997)
* God's Property (1998)
* Kirk Franklin (1999)
* Vickie Winans / Yolanda Adams (2000)
* Aaron Neville  / Yolanda Adams (2001)
* Shirley Caesar / Yolanda Adams (2002)
* Kirk Franklin (2003)
* Donnie McClurkin (2004)
* Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama (2005)
* Yolanda Adams (2006)
* Kirk Franklin (2007)
* Kirk Franklin (2008)
* Mary Mary (2009)

* v
* t
* e

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Song

Song
(1971–2015)|

* "Theme from Shaft" – Isaac Hayes (1971)
* No Award (1972–1994)
* "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" – Whitney Houston (1995)
* "I Believe I Can Fly" – R. Kelly (1996)
* "A Song for Mama" – Boyz II Men (1997)
* "Lean on Me" – Kirk Franklin (1998)
* "Spend My Life with You" – Eric Benét featuring Tamia (1999)
* "Open My Heart" – Yolanda Adams (2000)
* "A Woman's Worth" – Alicia Keys (2001)
* "Brighter Day" – Kirk Franklin (2002)
* "Dance with My Father" – Luther Vandross (2003)
* "If I Ain't Got You" – Alicia Keys (2004)
* "Unbreakable" – Alicia Keys (2005)
* "I Am Not My Hair" – India Arie (2006)
* "Like You'll Never See Me Again" – Alicia Keys (2007)
* "Yes We Can" – will.i.am (2008)
* "God in Me" – Mary Mary (2009)
* "Bittersweet" – Fantasia (2010)
* "I Smile" – Kirk Franklin (2011)
* "I Look to You" – Whitney Houston and R. Kelly (2012)
* "All of Me" – John Legend (2013)
* "We Are Here" – Alicia Keys (2014)
* "Back Together" – Jill Scott (2015)

Contemporary
(2016–2019)|

* "Freedom" – Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar (2016)
* "HUMBLE." – Kendrick Lamar (2017)
* "Boo'd Up" – Ella Mai (2018)
* "Before I Let Go" – Beyoncé (2019)

Traditional
(2016–2019)|

* "I See Victory" – Kim Burrell and Pharrell Williams (2016)
* "That's What I Like" – Bruno Mars (2017)
* "Long as I Live" – Toni Braxton (2018)
* "Spirit" – Beyoncé (2019)

Soul/R&B
(2020–present)|

* "Do It" – Chloe x Halle (2020)
* "Pick Up Your Feelings" – Jazmine Sullivan (2021)
* "Cuff It" – Beyoncé (2022)
* "ICU (Remix)" – Coco Jones featuring Justin Timberlake (2023)
* "Residuals" – Chris Brown (2024)

Hip Hop/Rap
(2020–present)|

* "Savage (Remix)" – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé (2020)
* "Fye Fye" – Tobe Nwigwe featuring Fat Nwigwe (2021)
* "Hotel Lobby" – Quavo and Takeoff (2022)
* "Cobra" – Megan Thee Stallion (2023)
* "Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar (2024)

International
(2020–present)|

* "Lockdown" – Original Koffee (2020)
* "Essence" – Wizkid featuring Tems and Justin Bieber (2021)
* "No Woman, No Cry" – Tems (2022)
* "Me & U" – Tems (2023)
* "Hmmm" – Chris Brown featuring Davido (2024)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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