Lift Every Voice: Evolution of Mary Mary

Get to know more about gospel duo Mary Mary.

Golden State Sisters - Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell are originally from Inglewood, California.(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Golden State Sisters - Erica Atkins-Campbell and Tina Atkins-Campbell are originally from Inglewood, California.\r(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

Two of Nine - The sisters come from a large family of nine children. They were closer to each other than their other siblings while growing up since they were the closest in age.\r(Photo by Phil McCarten/PictureGroup)

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Two of Nine - The sisters come from a large family of nine children. They were closer to each other than their other siblings while growing up since they were the closest in age.\r(Photo by Phil McCarten/PictureGroup)

Study Your Craft - The sisters decided to pursue a music career, so they enrolled at El Camino College to study voice.\r(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Study Your Craft - The sisters decided to pursue a music career, so they enrolled at El Camino College to study voice.\r(Photo by Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

On the Road - During the '90s, they toured with the gospel stage shows Mama I’m Sorry and Sneaky. They also toured as background singers for a variety of R&B acts.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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On the Road - During the '90s, they toured with the gospel stage shows Mama I’m Sorry and Sneaky. They also toured as background singers for a variety of R&B acts.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

Early Success - In the late '90s, Mary Mary began to take off as a duo. They placed songs on the Dr. Doolittle and Prince of Egypt soundtracks, and had several of their songs recorded by the R&B group 702. They also wrote two songs recorded for Yolanda Adams' double-platinum album Mountain High…Valley Low.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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Early Success - In the late '90s, Mary Mary began to take off as a duo. They placed songs on the Dr. Doolittle and Prince of Egypt soundtracks, and had several of their songs recorded by the R&B group 702. They also wrote two songs recorded for Yolanda Adams' double-platinum album Mountain High…Valley Low.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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Two Marys - After getting their record deal, Erica and Tina decided to use the name Mary Mary in honor of Jesus’ mother Mary and Mary Magdalene.\r(Photo by Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

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Two Marys - After getting their record deal, Erica and Tina decided to use the name Mary Mary in honor of Jesus’ mother Mary and Mary Magdalene.\r(Photo by Vince Bucci/PictureGroup)

Shackles - The group released their first album, Thankful, in 2000. The lead single, "Shackles (Praise You)," became a crossover hit, reaching gospel, R&B and pop audiences. The Certified Platinum album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.\r(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl Gospel Celebration 2011)

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Shackles - The group released their first album, Thankful, in 2000. The lead single, "Shackles (Praise You)," became a crossover hit, reaching gospel, R&B and pop audiences. The Certified Platinum album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.\r(Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Super Bowl Gospel Celebration 2011)

Record Breakers - Their next two albums, Incredible (2002) and Mary Mary (2005), were both certified Gold. Their single "Heaven," from their self-titled album, broke a record by spending 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Radio chart.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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Record Breakers - Their next two albums, Incredible (2002) and Mary Mary (2005), were both certified Gold. Their single "Heaven," from their self-titled album, broke a record by spending 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Gospel Radio chart.\r(Photo by Kristian Dowling/PictureGroup)

God in Me - "God in Me," from their 2008 album, The Sound, was another crossover success for Mary Mary. It won a Grammy for Best Gospel Song.\r(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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God in Me - "God in Me," from their 2008 album, The Sound, was another crossover success for Mary Mary. It won a Grammy for Best Gospel Song.\r(Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Sunday Best - Mary Mary joined the search for the next gospel great as judges for the BET singing competition show Sunday Best.\r(Photo by Mark Davis/Fox/PictureGroup)

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Sunday Best - Mary Mary joined the search for the next gospel great as judges for the BET singing competition show Sunday Best.\r(Photo by Mark Davis/Fox/PictureGroup)