Mary Mary: Bringing Contemporary Gospel to the Masses
Mary Mary, a dynamic contemporary gospel duo, consists of sisters Erica and Trecina Atkins-Campbell. Raised in a family deeply rooted in music, with a mother who led a gospel choir, they were immersed in singing from a young age. Growing up with five other sisters and a brother, the pair’s faith and love for music flourished in their church community.
Named after the two prominent Marys in the Bible—Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Mary Magdalene, one of His followers—the duo’s name reflected their spiritual roots. In the 1990s, the sisters began their journey by touring with gospel shows and providing backup vocals for prominent R&B artists. This period led them to meet Warren Campbell, a record producer who would later become Erica’s husband.
Warren played a pivotal role in their early career, securing a publishing deal with EMI and opening doors for them to contribute to movie soundtracks. They also worked with artists like Robin S and wrote songs for Yolanda Adams’ critically acclaimed album Mountain High… Valley Low, including the tracks “Time to Change” and “Yeah.”
Their growing success eventually caught the attention of Columbia Records, and they began working on their debut album, Thankful, which was released in 1999. Their breakout single, Shackles (Praise You), was initially a promotional track but quickly gained worldwide traction. By the year 2000, it had become a global hit, reaching the top 10 in over ten countries.
Shackles (Praise You) has since become Mary Mary’s signature song, often credited with bringing gospel music to a broader audience. Despite releasing multiple albums and charting within the gospel genre, Shackles remains one of the few successful crossover hits that blends gospel, R&B, and pop.
Mary Mary’s contribution to music has not only earned them critical acclaim but also solidified their place as trailblazers in contemporary gospel, bringing the uplifting message of faith to the masses.
Mary Mary Tunes | Related Pages
Shackles (Praise You) | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Shackles (Praise You) by Mary Mary using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Gm7 | Cm7 |
Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance…
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