When Erica and Tina Campbell emerged on the gospel scene with their rocking, spirited debut anthem Shackles (Praise You) in 2000, the sisters, who make up the duo Mary Mary, were met with criticism that their music had too much of a secular feel.
When Erica and Tina Campbell emerged on the gospel scene with their rocking, spirited debut anthem "Shackles (Praise You)" in 2000, the sisters, who make up the duo Mary Mary, were met with criticism that their music had too much of a secular feel.
The vocal powerhouses said they were hurt and (briefly) bothered by the comments then.
“Initially, I had a problem with that. I had a huge problem with that,” Tina told the Defender. “We didn’t know about fighting crossover hits and different formats. We didn’t have that. All we knew was we wanted the world to hear our music, we wanted the world to like it. Our music came out exactly the way God wanted it.”
But if success is the best revenge, the Inglewood, Calif. natives, whose albums have gone gold and platinum, definitely have one-up on critics.
Their latest production, "The Sound," remains No. 1 on Billboard’s gospel album chart and the duo can be seen or heard just about anywhere you turn your head–or your radio dial.
Mary Mary sings, writes songs and produces. They’re on the stage, in the choir and, now, in the judgment seat on the Black Entertainment Television show, "Sunday Best." In addition to critiquing contestants on the show, the sisters also serve as the show’s executive producers, along with Kirk Franklin.
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To win tickets to meet Mary Mary or purchase tickets to the Sound Tour, click here.
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