Unshackled

SISTERS ERICA AND TINA CAMPBELL WHO FORM THE GOSPEL DUO MARY MARY WERE IN TOWN RECENTLY AND SPOKE TO DRUM ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF SINGING TOGETHER, GOING SOLO AND THEIR LONGEVITY IN THE INDUSTRY. 

- Cash Morra

AFTER ALMOST TWO DECADES OF SINGING AS A DUO, YOU’RE NOW SOLO ARTISTES. HOW IS THAT WORKING OUT FOR YOU?

ERICA: It’s been great and I’ve definitely enjoyed singing solo. We’ve grown technically and spiritually.

TINA: I think that I wouldn’t have been able to speak to the audience that I speak to and impact them in the way that I have been (which is different from Mary Mary) had I not allowed myself to move away. I don’t do nervous; I never knew I’d be nervous until I got on stage and I was singing, then I realised that I’m not used to doing this by myself. I was uncomfortable. You’d think that 15 years and the level of confidence of doing the things that God allowed us to experience would take that away, but I was. I realised that my norm was having Erica by my side. It took a little adjusting to stand on stage alone. I pressed past it because God had something for me to say individually, and then collectively, so we had to do it all.

HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO FIND BALANCE BETWEEN MOTHERHOOD AND YOUR CAREERS?

ERICA: You take one day at a time. If God has given you a lot to do, it’s OK to spend your moments being present and when you move to the next thing, you’re present in it. If you don’t, you’ll cheat yourself out of enjoying the moment and of giving everything you’re supposed to.