Mary Mary (album)

Mary Mary is the debut studio album by American gospel duo Mary Mary, released on June 6, 2000, by Columbia Records. The album is credited with broadening the appeal of contemporary gospel music to a wider audience due to its incorporation of R&B, hip hop, and pop elements.

Mary Mary features the hit singles "Shackles (Praise You)" and "I Sings," both of which achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim. "Shackles (Praise You)" became a crossover hit, charting on both gospel and mainstream music charts and earning the duo a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance.

The album's lyrical content focuses on themes of faith, hope, and perseverance, often addressing real-life struggles and offering messages of encouragement. The production incorporates diverse musical styles, blending traditional gospel sounds with contemporary urban music.

Mary Mary was a commercial success, reaching number eight on the Billboard 200 chart and becoming certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album is widely regarded as a groundbreaking work in contemporary gospel music, paving the way for other gospel artists to experiment with incorporating contemporary sounds into their music.