Erica Campbell

Erica Monique Campbell, professionally known as Erica Campbell, is an American gospel singer, songwriter, recording artist, radio host and worship minister. Born in Inglewood, California, she first became widely known as one half of the Grammy-winning gospel duo Mary Mary, alongside her younger sister, Tina Campbell. The sisters helped bring contemporary gospel into the mainstream with a sound that blended traditional gospel with R&B, soul, hip-hop and pop influences.

Campbell later established a successful solo career with her debut album, Help, released in 2014. The project debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and No. 6 on the Billboard 200, and won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album. She has continued her solo career with Help 2.0 and I Love You, while also recording numerous collaborations. In 2025, she was part of the team behind “One Hallelujah,” which won the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song.

Early Life and Musical Background

Erica Monique Atkins was born on April 29, 1973, in Inglewood, California. She grew up in a large Christian family and was one of the children of Eddie Aaron Atkins Jr., a pastor, and Thomasina “Honey” Atkins. Music and church were important parts of her upbringing, and she began singing in church at an early age.

Campbell and her younger sister, Trecina “Tina” Atkins, developed their musical abilities together. Before they became known professionally as Mary Mary, the sisters performed in church settings and on gospel programs, including Bobby Jones Gospel. Campbell also gained early experience singing background vocals and working with touring gospel and R&B acts.

Her early exposure to different forms of Black American music would eventually influence the sound she developed with Mary Mary and later as a solo artist.

Mary Mary

In 1998, Erica and Tina Campbell formed Mary Mary. The sisters took their professional name from two biblical figures named Mary and began developing a style that combined gospel with contemporary R&B, soul and hip-hop. Their husband and producer, Warryn Campbell, became a major creative force behind the group’s recordings.

Mary Mary’s breakthrough came with their debut album, Thankful, released in 2000. The album topped the Billboard Gospel Albums chart and included “Shackles (Praise You),” a crossover hit that became one of the defining gospel songs of the early 2000s. Thankful also won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.

The success continued through albums such as Incredible, Mary Mary, The Sound, Something Big and Go Get It. The duo earned multiple Grammy Awards and became one of the most commercially successful contemporary gospel groups of their generation. Their music introduced gospel themes to audiences beyond the traditional church market without abandoning their Christian identity.

Campbell’s songwriting became an important part of the group’s success. She received songwriting credits on several of Mary Mary’s major songs, including “God in Me,” “Get Up” and “Go Get It.”

Solo Career and Help

While still associated with Mary Mary, Campbell began exploring her identity as a solo artist. Her first major solo recording was “A Little More Jesus,” which was released in 2013 and received a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Song. The response encouraged her to pursue a full-length solo project.

Her debut solo album, Help, was released on March 25, 2014. Produced primarily by her husband, Warryn Campbell, the album presented a more personal side of Erica’s songwriting and performance. It included “A Little More Jesus,” “Help” featuring Lecrae, “You Are” and “P.O.G.”

Help debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200. The album subsequently won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in 2015.

The success of Help established Campbell as a solo artist in her own right while demonstrating that her musical identity could extend beyond the group that had introduced her to a worldwide audience.

Help 2.0 and “I Luh God”

Campbell followed Help with Help 2.0 in 2015. The project expanded on the original album with additional material and included “I Luh God,” a contemporary gospel song that incorporated elements of hip-hop and trap.

“I Luh God” became a major gospel hit and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Gospel chart. The song reflected Campbell’s willingness to experiment with modern production while maintaining explicitly Christian themes.

During this period, Campbell also continued collaborating with other gospel and Christian artists and remained active as a songwriter and performer.

I Love You

After several years of singles and collaborations, Campbell released her second major solo studio album, I Love You, in September 2023. The album marked another stage in her development as a solo artist and incorporated gospel, R&B and contemporary influences.

The project included songs such as “Positive,” “Feel Alright (Blessed),” “Sho’ Been Good,” “Trust and Obey” and “The One That Got Away.” It also featured collaborations with artists including PJ Morton, D Smoke and others.

“Positive” became an important release in Campbell’s later career and received a Grammy nomination. “Feel Alright (Blessed)” also received recognition and became another prominent song from the project.

“One Hallelujah” and Recent Work

Campbell continued to work extensively with other gospel artists after I Love You. One of her most notable recent collaborations is “One Hallelujah,” recorded with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Jonathan McReynolds and Jekalyn Carr.

The song won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025. The recognition added another Grammy to Campbell’s career, which includes awards earned both as a solo artist and as a member of Mary Mary. The Recording Academy currently lists Campbell with six Grammy wins and 18 nominations.

Her recent catalogue has also included singles such as “Trust and Obey,” “Oil,” “For My Good,” “Overcomers,” “On The Way (Remix)” and “Strength In Numbers.” Apple Music lists “Strength In Numbers” as a 2026 release, alongside other 2026 singles.

Radio, Television and Other Work

Campbell has expanded her career beyond recording and touring. Since 2016, she has hosted Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, a nationally syndicated morning radio program. The show combines music, conversations, faith-based content and discussions of everyday life.

She has also appeared on television and in films. Her acting credits include appearances in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit and The Fighting Temptations. She and Tina Campbell also became the focus of the WE tv reality series Mary Mary, which documented aspects of their careers and personal lives.

Outside of entertainment, Campbell and her husband, producer Warryn Campbell, have been involved in Christian ministry. They have also served as pastors of California Worship Center in San Fernando, California.

Musical Style and Legacy

Erica Campbell’s musical style is rooted in urban contemporary gospel but draws heavily from contemporary R&B, soul and other forms of popular music. Her work has consistently explored ways of presenting Christian messages through modern production and accessible songwriting.

Her career has developed across several distinct phases: her formative years in church, the rise of Mary Mary, her transition into solo recording, her work as a songwriter and producer, and her later career as a radio personality and ministry leader. Across these roles, she has remained closely connected to gospel music while reaching audiences outside the traditional gospel market.

With Mary Mary, Campbell helped establish a contemporary gospel sound that became influential in the 2000s and early 2010s. As a solo artist, she extended that approach through albums such as Help, Help 2.0 and I Love You. Her Grammy-winning work, including Help and “One Hallelujah,” has further established her place in contemporary gospel music.

Campbell continues to record music, collaborate with other artists, host her nationally syndicated radio program and participate in Christian ministry. Her ongoing releases in 2026 show that her career remains active across recording, broadcasting and gospel ministry.