Erica Campbell
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Erica Monique Campbell (née, Atkins; born April 29, 1973) is an American Gospel singer and songwriter. Specializing in the urban contemporary gospel, Christian R&B, and contemporary R&B genres, she started her music career in the late 1990s with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, as part of the group Mary Mary.
Her debut solo album Help (2014), reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart, and won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th Grammy Awards. The album's reissue, Help 2.0. (2015), included the gospel trap single "I Luh God", which reached number one on the gospel chart. She released her second album I Love You in 2023. Her 2024 collaborative track "One Hallelujah" alongside Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Jonathan McReynolds and Jekalyn Carr won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
In addition to her music career, Campbell has made appearances in the films Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and The Fighting Temptations (2003). Since May 2016, she has been the host of Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell with comedian Griff, currently distributed by Reach Media, the syndication arm of Urban One.
Early life
Campbell was born Erica Monique Atkins, on April 29, 1973, in Inglewood, California, the daughter of Eddie Aaron Atkins Jr. (1948–2013), originally from Merced, California, a pastor and minister, and Thomasina Andrea "Honey" Atkins (née Daniels), who is originally from Stamford, Connecticut. Her paternal grandparents are Eddie Aaron Atkins, Sr. and Lavada Cruthird, and her maternal grandparents are Tommy and Ruth Daniels. She had two older brothers, Andre Lavelle Atkins, who died at 6 years old from a combination of Down Syndrome, spinal meningitis, and a hole in his heart, while her other brother is living in Arizona, Darrell Antoine Atkins. She has one older sister, Maliea Dionne Atkins, and five younger sisters, Trecina Evette "Tina" Atkins, Delisa Marie "Lisa" or "Wittle Wees" Atkins, Thomasina Andrea "Goo Goo" Atkins, Alana Ellesse "Lainz" or "Luv Luv" Atkins, and Shanta Nena Lavea Atkins.
Music career
Her music career started in 1998, with her younger sister, Tina Campbell, who formed half of the gospel music duo, Mary Mary. As part of Mary Mary, Campbell earned numerous Stellar Music and Dove Awards, four Grammy Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, two American Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and a BET Award. In 2008, Campbell recorded a solo track called "Stand" for the soundtrack to the independent film A Good Man Is Hard to Find. In 2011, Mary Mary received the ASCAP Golden Note Award for their extraordinary songwriting. Erica commenced her solo music recording career in 2013, by recording her first studio album, HELP, that released on March 25, 2014, with Entertainment One Music. This album was her breakthrough release upon the Billboard magazine charts, while it charted on The Billboard 200, Top Gospel Albums, and Independent Albums charts, where it peaked at Nos. 6, 1, and 2, correspondingly. Campbell won a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album at the 57th edition of the event. The subsequent studio album, Help 2.0, was released on March 31, 2015, from Entertainment One Music. This album charted on the same charts, but at Nos. 120, 1, and 12, respectively.
In early April 2018, Erica and her husband Warryn Campbell are to star in their own reality show on TV One. The show will highlight Erica going back in the studio to record her new album. Also in 2018, Erica and her husband released a music video titled, "All of My Life".
On September 23, 2022, Erica released “Positive” and she released “Feel Alright (Blessed)” on January 13, 2023, from her second album I Love You, which was released later that year.
Personal life
She is married to Warryn Campbell, with whom she resides in Los Angeles, together with their three children.
Campbell is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, having been initiated on January 15, 2023.
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Gos | US Ind | ||
| Help | Released: March 25, 2014 Label: Entertainment One CD, digital download | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| Help 2.0 | Released: March 31, 2015 (reissue) Label: Entertainment One CD, digital download | 120 | 1 | 12 |
| I Love You | Released: September 15, 2023 Label: My Block Inc CD, digital download | — | 10 | — |
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart position | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Gospel | |||
| 2013 | "A Little More Jesus" | 7 | Help |
| 2014 | "Help" (featuring Lecrae) | 2 | |
| "You Are" | 17 | ||
| "P.O.G." | 24 | ||
| 2015 | "More Love" | 18 | Help 2.0 |
| "I Luh God" (featuring Big Shizz) | 1 | ||
| 2017 | "Well Done" | 10 | Non-album single |
| 2018 | "All of My Life" (with Warryn Campbell) | 3 | |
| 2022 | "Positive" | 13 | I Love You |
| 2023 | "Feel Alright (Blessed)" | 9 | |
| 2025 | "Trust And Obey" | — |
Awards and nominations
American Music Awards
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Favorite R&B/Soul or Hip-Hop New Artist | Mary Mary | Nominated |
| 2005 | Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist | Won | |
| 2009 | Won | ||
| Favorite Soul/R&B Band, Duo or Group | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Favorite Gospel Artist | Nominated |
Billboard Music Awards
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Top Gospel Song | "I Luh God" (with Big Shizz) | Nominated |
BET Awards
The BET Awards are awarded annually by the Black Entertainment Television network. Campbell has received 3 awards from 17 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Best Female Group | Mary Mary | Nominated |
| Best Gospel Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | Best Group | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Nominated | ||
| Best Gospel Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Nominated | ||
| Best Group | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Best Gospel Artist | Won | |
| 2011 | Won | ||
| 2013 | Won | ||
| Best Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Best Gospel Artist | Herself | Nominated |
| 2015 | Nominated | ||
| 2016 | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | "All of My Life" (with Warryn Campbell) | Nominated |
| 2020 | "All In His Plan" (with PJ Morton and Le'Andria Johnson) | Nominated | |
| 2024 | "Do You Believe in Love?" | Nominated |
GMA Dove Awards
The Dove Awards are awarded annually by the Gospel Music Association. Campbell has won 8 awards from 20 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Shackles (Praise You)" | Won |
| Urban Album of the Year | Thankful | Won | |
| 2002 | Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Thank You" (with Kirk Franklin) | Won |
| 2003 | Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "In the Morning" | Won |
| 2004 | Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Dance, Dance, Dance" | Won |
| 2006 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | Mary Mary | Won |
| 2009 | Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Get Up" | Won |
| "Love Him Like I Do" | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | The Sound | Nominated | |
| Group of the Year | Mary Mary | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Urban Album of the Year | Something Big | Nominated |
| 2013 | Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year | "Go Get It" | Nominated |
| 2014 | Gospel Performance of the Year | "Help" (with Lecrae) | Nominated |
| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Gospel/Urban Album | Help | Nominated | |
| Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "A Little More Jesus" | Won | |
| 2015 | Gospel Artist of the Year | Herself | Nominated |
| 2020 | Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year | "All In His Plan" (with PJ Morton and Le'Andria Johnson) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year | I Love You | Nominated |
| 2025 | Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year | "One Hallelujah" (with Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Israel Houghton, Jonathan McReynolds, and Jekalyn Carr) | Nominated |
Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Campbell has won 6 awards from 18 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album | Thankful | Won |
| 2006 | Mary Mary | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Song | "Heaven" | Nominated | |
| 2009 | "Get Up" | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Performance | Won | ||
| Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album | The Sound | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Best Gospel Song | "God In Me" | Won |
| 2012 | "Sitting With Me" | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Album | Something Big | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Best Gospel Song | "Go Get It" | Won |
| Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Best Gospel Song | "A Little More Jesus" | Nominated |
| 2015 | Best Gospel Album | HELP | Won |
| Best Gospel Performance/Song | "HELP" | Nominated | |
| 2023 | "Positive" | Nominated | |
| 2024 | "Feel Alright (Blessed)" | Nominated | |
| Best Gospel Album | I Love You | Nominated | |
| 2025 | Best Gospel Performance/Song | "One Hallelujah" | Won |
NAACP Image Awards
The NAACP Image Awards are awarded annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Campbell has won 5 awards from 11 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Outstanding Duo or Group | Mary Mary | Nominated |
| 2003 | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Gospel Artist | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Won | ||
| 2010 | Outstanding Song | "God In Me" | Won |
| 2012 | Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary) | Something Big | Nominated |
| 2013 | GO GET IT | Won | |
| Duo, Group or Collaboration | Themselves | Won | |
| 2017 | Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series | Mary Mary | Nominated |
| 2023 | Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song | "Positive" | Won |
Soul Train Awards
The Soul Train Music Awards and Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards are awarded annually. Campbell has received a total of 5 awards from 15 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soul Train Awards | |||
| 2001 | Best Gospel Album | Thankful | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Gospel Performance | "God In Me" | Won |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | Best Gospel Performance | "Walking" | Won |
| Best Dance Performance | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Song | "Help" (with Lecrae) | Won |
| 2015 | "More Love" | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Best Gospel/Inspirational Award | Herself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Nominated | ||
| 2024 | "Feel Alright (Blessed)" | Nominated | |
| Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards | |||
| 2001 | Best Gospel Album | Thankful | Won |
| Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Duo or Group | Mary Mary | Won | |
| Best R&B/Soul Single Duo or Group | "Shackles (Praise You)" | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Best Gospel Album | Incredible | Nominated |
Stellar Awards
The Stellar Awards are awarded annually by SAGMA. Campbell has received 27 awards from 57 nominations.
| Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | New Artist of the Year | Mary Mary | Won |
| Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Thankful | Won | |
| Music Video of the Year | "Shackles (Praise You)" | Nominated | |
| 2004 | Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Mary Mary | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Group Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year | "Incredible" | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year | "Heaven"; Mary Mary | Won |
| CD Of The Year | Mary Mary | Nominated | |
| Artist Of The Year | Mary Mary | Nominated | |
| Group Duo of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "Heaven" | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Song of the Year | Mary Mary | Won |
| Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year | "God In Me" | Won | |
| 2012 | Group/Duo of the Year | Themselves | Won |
| Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| CD of the Year | Something Big | Nominated | |
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Performance of the Year | "Walking" | Nominated | |
| 2013 | Urban/Inspirational Single / Performance of the Year | "Go Get It" | Won |
| Song of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Group/Duo of the Year | Mary Mary | Won | |
| Special Event CD of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Group/Duo of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary CD of the Year | Go Get It | Won | |
| 2015 | Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Help | Won |
| Artist of the Year | Won | ||
| Album of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Album of the Year | Won | ||
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Won | ||
| Producer of the Year | Won | ||
| Recorded Music Packaging of the Year | Won | ||
| Song of the Year | "Help"(with Lecrae) | Nominated | |
| Music Video of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | Won | ||
| 2016 | Artist of the Year | Help 2.0 | Nominated |
| Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | "I Luh God" | Nominated | |
| 2021 | Song of the Year | "All In His Plan" (with PJ Morton and Le'Andria Johnson) | Nominated |
| 2022 | Gospel Announcer of the Year | Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell | Nominated |
| 2023 | Song of the Year | "Positive" | Nominated |
| 2024 | Artist of the Year | I Love You | Nominated |
| Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Contemporary Album of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Song of the Year | "Feel Alright (Blessed)" | Nominated | |
| Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Syndicated Gospel Radio Show of the Year | Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell (with Arlen "Griff" Griffin) | Won | |
| 2025 | Get Up! Mornings With Erica Campbell (with Arlen "Griff" Griffin and Cheryl Jackson) | Won |
Miscellaneous honors
| Year | Organization | Award | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Missouri Gospel Music Hall of Fame | Herself | Inducted |