Eclectic, compelling, and at times risky, Erica Campbell lays all her emotions bare on a project that has been a true labor of love. After a lifetime and 13 years of professionally singing with sister Tina, Erica takes a leap of faith out into unchartered territory to release her debut solo album HELP.
HELP was released on My Block Inc./eOne on March 25, 2014 and immediately shot to the top of the Billboard Charts. In its first week, the project led the Billboard Top Gospel Chart this week at Number 1, as well as landed on several other charts including Number 1 on Top Gospel & Christian (combined) and Number 6 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. The impressive debut marked Campbell’s highest entry on the Top 200 Chart (which included past Mary Mary releases) and the highest ever first week chart position for a female solo gospel artist.
Generating both critical and consumer acclaim, the first single “A Little More Jesus,” was nominated in 2013 for a Grammy Award for “Best Gospel Song,” and Erica was nominated for a 2014 BET Award for “Best Gospel Artist.”
Erica’s faith resonates throughout the album that is everything that one’s art should be — an honest portrayal of real life. Erica’s art AND heart is her music and the end result is a compelling impressive body of work that is both passionate and meaningful.
There are 13 tracks on HELP and having written 90% of the songs on the album, it is truly personal to Erica. It is the honesty in her music that connects her to listeners. Maintaining the open and honest persona that fans have seen on her hit WEtv reality show “Mary Mary,” Erica continues to display her life’s story on this project.
Recalling the days before hard-line classifications and genres, HELP is a straightforward celebration of black music. Almost all forms of music take their cues from Black music and Erica has found a way to honor them in a way that works effortlessly. In today’s world where all styles of music are accessible, Erica taps into the current trend of music by making substantive songs that connect with all audiences. Bits of soul, rock, blues, R&B country and pop are heard alongside gospel messages.
And though this season is one for Erica to experience alone, it’s hard to not mention Mary Mary. Erica Campbell and Tina Campbell broke through in 2000 with the pioneering crossover hit “Shackles (Praise You).” Mary Mary are multiple award nominees and winners. In addition to earning numerous Stellar Music and Dove Awards they have also received 4 Grammy Awards, 3 NAACP Image Awards, 2 American Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and a BET Award.
In addition to her solo debut; Erica continues to travel and perform with Mary Mary and star in the hit WE TV reality show “Mary Mary.” On the personal side Erica is a loving wife of award winning and platinum selling producer – Warryn Campbell, II. The two have recently started their ministry hosting a growing monthly prayer and bible study in North Hollywood, CA. Together not only have the two racked up hits on the charts and awards galore, but all of that pales in comparison to their greatest productions; their 3 beautiful children; 9-year old Krista Nicole, 4-year old Warryn III and 2-year old Zaya Monique.
