Mary Mary
Mary Mary
Mary Mary is an American contemporary gospel duo, consisting of sisters Erica Atkins-Campbell (born April 29, 1972)[1] and Trecina Atkins-Campbell (born May 1, 1974). The duo are often credited along with Kirk Franklin for broadening the fan base of urban contemporary gospel in the 2000s by introducing elements of soul music, hip hop, funk and jazz. Mary Mary broke onto the music scene with their popular song “Shackles (Praise You)"—which is considered one of the pioneering songs of urban contemporary gospel music. The group’s name, as stated in an interview is inspired by the two famous Marys from the Bible; Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, and Mary Magdalene.
The sisters were born Erica Monique Atkins and Trecina Evette Atkins in Inglewood, California. The Atkins sisters grew up as part of a large family of nine children in Inglewood, California.[citation needed] Their parents are mother Thomasina Atkins, an evangelist and choir director at the Evangelistic Church of God in Christ, and father Eddie A. Atkins, an Elder in the Church of God In Christ and Gang/Youth Counselor. Their mother and father were married and divorced three times when their father, Eddie, died in 2013.[citation needed]
Due to their proximity in age, the two sisters grew up closer to one another than to any of their seven siblings. The Atkins children Darrell Atkins (born 1965; the only living boy, as a second boy died as a child); Maliea Atkins (born 1967); Erica and Tina (born 1972 and 1974); Delisa Atkins-Brown (born 1977); Thomasina Atkins (born 1979); Alana Atkins-Jamison (born 1985) and Shanta Atkins (born 1986). (Thomasina, Alana, Delisa and Shanta Atkins all sing background on Mary Mary albums and in stage performances.)