Mary Mary
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the musical duo. For other uses, see Mary Mary (disambiguation).
| Mary Mary | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Erica & Trecina Atkins |
| Origin | Inglewood, California, United States |
| Genre(s) | Gospel, urban gospel, R&B, hip hop soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singers, Songwriters |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1998-present |
| Label(s) | C2 Records Columbia |
| Associated acts | Warryn Campbell |
| Website | Mary-Mary.com |
| Members | |
| Erica Campbell Trecina "Tina" Campbell |
|
Mary Mary is an American gospel music duo, consisting of sisters Erica Monique Campbell (born April 29, 1972 ) [1] and Trecina "Tina" Evette Campbell (born May 1, 1975 ) [1], and are often credited for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music and hip hop.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina Atkins-Campbell were born in Inglewood, California. The Campbell (formerly Atkins) sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California. Their parents are Thomasina (An evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ) and Eddie (a youth minister).
The sisters quickly entered the world of church choirs, traveling gospel shows, and some television productions. All nine Atkins children were on the Bobby Jones Gospel show on BET.
The sisters had their sights set on making music a career and enrolled at El Camino College to study voice. There they ran up against the divide between academic music studies and the popular musical world. "We had to study classical and sing arias, which was fine," Erica told the Times, "but the teachers would tell us if we sang anything else it would damage our instrument."
The sisters toured with the 1995 Michael Matthews traveling gospel show Mama I'm Sorry and Sneaky. Each sister subsequently toured as a backup singer for a variety of R&B acts including Brandy.
[edit] Musical career
A meeting with producer Warryn Campbell led to their song publishing deal with the giant EMI music conglomerate and a series of songs that landed on the soundtracks. They wrote "Dance" and performed it with Robin S. for the soundtrack to the 1998 film Dr. Dolittle; "Let Go, Let God" for The Prince of Egypt Inspirational, one of three soundtrack albums for the film; and songs of theirs were recorded by Yolanda Adams and 702. The sisters' profile in the gospel industry was raised when their songs "Time To Change" and "Yeah" were recorded by Yolanda Adams on the Mountain High... Valley Low CD. At the same time, Mary Mary as a musical entity took shape.
[edit] Thankful
- Main Article: Thankful
The duo was subsequently signed to Columbia Records/C2 Records and decided to perform under the name Mary Mary, honoring Mary, the mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. They were 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, being popular with gospel, R&B, and pop audiences. It was a Top 10 R&B and Top 40 pop hit, and peaked at #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 the MTV video cable channel. The album was a huge success because it offered a younger, hipper version of gospel that audiences could relate to. Their first album,Thankful (Mary Mary Album) in May 2000, which would go on to win the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album, and a second single, "I Sings". Peaking at #1 on the Gospel album chart and at #59 of the overall Top 200 chart, Thankful was certified Platinum for sales of 1 million copies in the USA. Both singles were also hits in the UK and Europe, and to this day remain popular with Christian youths in the US, Latin America, and Europe.
[edit] Incredible
- Main Article: Incredible
With their second album Incredible, the duo was able to maintain their success. The record, soon after its release, went to #1 on the Gospel chart, and was able to enter the Top 20 of the Top 200 album chart. Incredible was later on certified Gold for 500,000 copies sold in the United States. The album's singles In The Morning and I Try became relatively large hits within the contemporary gospel nation.
[edit] Mary Mary
- Main Article: Mary Mary
After taking time off to have children, Mary Mary released their third album Mary Mary. It became the duo's first album to enter the Top 10 on Billboard and was later on certified Gold for sales of 500,000 copies. The first single "Heaven" containing a sample from seventies soul trio the Honey Cone's "Want Ads". Heaven made history and broke chart records as it had an unprecedented 9 week run as the #1 record on Billboard's Gospel Radio chart. The second single, "Yesterday", also became a hit, especially on the Adult R&B charts where it peaked at #10. On the R&B/Hip Hop chart, the song became their second biggest hit since "Shackles" in 2000, reaching the #53 spot so far.
[edit] A Mary Mary Christmas
- Main Article: A Mary Mary Christmas
On October 10, 2006`, the recording group released their most recent album inspired by Christmas songs and is called A Mary Mary Christmas.
[edit] The Sound
- Main Article:The Sound
On August 19, 2008, the recording group will release their fourth, fifith overall, studio album titled The Sound.[2][3]
[edit] Awards/Nominations
- American Music Awards
- 2005, Best Inspirational/Christan Contemporary Artist (Winner)
- 2001, Favorite R&B/Soul or Hip-Hop New Artist, (Nominated)
- BET Awards
- 2007, Best Group (Nominated)
- 2007, Best Gospel Artist (Nominated)
- 2006, Best Gospel Artist (Nominated)
- 2006, Best Group (Nominated)
- 2003, Best Group (Nominated)
- 2001, Best Gospel Artist (Nominated)
- 2001, Best Female Group (Nominated)
- Lady of Soul Awards
- 2003, Best Gospel Album: Incredible (Nominated)
- 2001, Best Gospel Album: Thankful (Winner)
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Duo or Group: "Shackles (Praise You)" (Winner)
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul Single Duo or Group: "Shackles (Praise You)" (Nominated)
- Soul Train Awards
- 2001, Best Gospel Album: Thankful (Nominated)
- Grammy for Best Contemporary Gospel Album, for Thankful (2000)
- Dove Award:
- 2001: Urban Recorded Song of the Year (Shackles (Praise You))
- 2001: Urban Album of the Year (Thankful)
- 2002: Urban Recorded Song of the Year (Thank You, from Kingdom Come, the Soundtrack with Kirk Franklin)
- 2003: Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (In the Morning from Incredible)
- 2004: Urban Recorded Song of the Year (Dance, Dance, Dance from Gotta Have Gospel)
- Stellar Awards
- 2001: New Artist of the Year (Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2001: Artist Of The Year (Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2001: Group/Duo Of The Year (Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2001: Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year (Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2001: Contemporary CD of the Year (Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2001: Music Video of the Year (Shackles (Praise You)),(Mary Mary; Thankful; Columbia)
- 2004: Artist of the Year (Mary Mary; Incredible; Integrity Gospel / Columbia)
- 2004: Group Duo of the Year (Mary Mary; Incredible; Integrity Gospel / Columbia)
- 2004: Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year (Mary Mary; Incredible; Integrity Gospel / Columbia) (Winner)
- 2004: Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year (Mary Mary; Incredible; Incredible; Integrity Gospel / Columbia)
- 2006: Artist Of The Year (Mary Mary; Mary Mary; Sony Urban Music / Columbia )
- 2006: Song of the Year (Songwriter; Song; Label)(Warryn Campbell; Erica Campbell; Trecina Campbell; Joi Campbell ; "Heaven"; Sony Urban Music/ Columbia)
- 2006: CD Of The Year (Mary Mary; Mary Mary; Sony Urban Music / Columbia )
- 2006: Group Duo of the Year (Mary Mary; Mary Mary; Sony Urban Music / Columbia )
- 2006: Urban/ Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year Mary Mary ; "Heaven"; Sony Urban Music/ Columbia (Winner)
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Statistics | Notable Singles |
|---|---|
Thankful
|
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Incredible
|
|
Mary Mary
|
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A Mary Mary Christmas
|
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The Sound
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[edit] Singles
| Year | Singles | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel | US R&B | |||
| 2000 | "Shackles (Praise You)" | 1 | 9 | Thankful |
| 2001 | "I Sings" | - | 68 | |
| "Can't Give Up Now" | 27 | - | ||
| "Wade In The Water" | 16 | - | ||
| 2002 | "In The Morning" | 1 | 54 | Incredible |
| "Thank You" | 55 | - | ||
| "I Try" | - | - | ||
| 2003 | "Dance, Dance, Dance | 1 | - | Gotta Have Gospel Vol.3 |
| "Won't Ever Change" | 95 | - | The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack | |
| 2005 | "Heaven" | 1 (9 weeks) | 74 | Mary Mary |
| "The Real Party" | 43 | - | ||
| 2006 | "Yesterday" | 1 | 50 | |
| "Believer" | 33 | - | ||
| "Carol of the Bells" | - | - | A Mary Mary Christmas | |
[edit] Other Releases
| Statistics |
|---|
Mary Mary (Special Edition)
|
[edit] Videography
- "Shackles (Praise You)"
- "I Sings" (featuring BB Jay)
- "Thank You" (featuring Kirk Franklin) from Kingdom Come
- "In The Morning"
- "Heaven"
- "Yesterday"
- "Love Him Like I Do" (Deitrick Haddon featuring, Mary Mary & Ruben Studdard)
[edit] T.V. and Film Appearances
- "The Parkers"
- "The Fighting Temptations"
- "Sunday Best"
- "Salute To The Queen Of Soul: An Evening of Stars"
- "Living It Up with Patti LaBelle"
- "It's Showtime at the Apollo"
- "Tavis Smiley"
- "Praise The Lord"
[edit] Personal life
Because of their proximity in age, the two singers grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings. [1] The Atkins children are Darrel (1965)(the only boy; the 2nd boy died in childhood); Maliea (1967); Erica and Tina; Delisa (1978); Thomasina (1979); Alana (1985) and Shanta(1987).[1] Thomasina and Alana sometimes sing back up for their big sisters.[1]
By 2005, both sisters had married to men with the last name Campbell; One (Teddy) is from Chicago and the other (Warryn) from Los Angeles. [4][5] Tina married drummer Teddy Campbell in August 2000. Their daughter Laiah Simone Campbell was born sixteen days early on Tuesday, September 9, 2003, weighing 5 lbs. 4 oz.[6] Teddy & Tina welcomed their second child, Meela Jane on June 11, 2007. [7][8] Erica married their record producer Warryn Campbell on May 26, 2001.[9] They have a daughter named Krista Nicole Campbell(born September 13, 2004).
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e biography
- ^ Yarbrough, Kenya M. (May 9, 2008). MARY MARY MOTHER'S DAY GIFT SONG: Gospel duo helps Colgate-Palmolive send smiles..
- ^ Official Mary Mary Website
- ^ Tavis Smiley . Archives . Monday, August 1, 2005 | PBS
- ^ Tavis Smiley . Archives . Monday, August 1, 2005 | PBS
- ^ http://www.christianmusicplanet.com/magazine/viewarticle.asp?id=156
- ^ EURweb.com - Black Entertainment | Black News | Urban News | Hip Hop News
- ^ EURweb.com - Black Entertainment | Black News | Urban News | Hip Hop News
- ^ GospelFlava.com - Articles - Erica Atkins (Mary Mary) and Warryn Campbell Wedding
- Other References
- (8) [1]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- www.mary-mary.com - Official Website
- Soultracks.com biographical entry
- Mary Mary Info and Discography
| Mary Mary | |
| Albums: Thankful • Incredible • Mary Mary • A Mary Mary Christmas Singles: Shackles (Praise You) • I Sings • Cant Give Up Now • In The Morning • I Try • Heaven • Believer • Yesterday • Carol of the Bells Music Videos: Shackles (Praise You) • I Sings • In The Morning • Thank You • Heaven • Yesterday |
|
- Mary Mary Interview at STREETBRAND Magazine
