Erica Campbell of Mary Mary has been talking about exploring a solo career for a while and she’s officially made the first step.
The Grammy Award-winning gospel artist recently released her first single titled “A Little More Jesus.” The upbeat track doesn’t stray too far from Mary Mary’s original sound, but Erica does a good job of defining herself as a solo artist.
Her forthcoming album is scheduled to be released on My Block Records/ eOne Music later this year.
Take a listen to the track below, then click through the slides to see 15 of our favorite artists who successfully transitioned from group members to solo artists.
1. Beyonce of Destiny’s Child
“Crazy in Love” was the debut single for Queen Bey. In 2004, she won two Grammy Awards for the record, Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
2. Patti LaBelle of Labelle
Patti’s self-titled debut solo project was released in 1977.
3. Justin Timberlake, N’Sync
JT established himself as a real artist, opposed to just a boy bander, with his first solo album Justified.
4. Chaka Kahn of Rufus
Her first solo single was “I’m Every Woman.”
5. Ice Cube of NWA AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted was rapper Ice Cube’s debut solo album after leaving NWA.
6. Michael Jackson of the Jackson 5
Youngest brother Michael established his solo career in August 1979 with Off The Wall.
7. Teddy Pendergrass of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The legendary R&B singer released his self-titled debut after leaving Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1977.
8. Omarion of B2K
O had major success as a heartthrob in the boy band B2K. He also found chart-topping success as a solo artist in 2005.
9. Lionel Ritchie of The Commodores
He released his debut album on Motown Record in 1982. It included hits like “Truly,” “You Are” and “My Love.”
10. Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Tone!
Raphael Saadiq’s first solo single was the R&B hit “Ask Of You.”
11. Busta Rhymes of Leaders of the New School
Busta’s first solo banger was 1996’s “Woo-Hah!”
12. Tina Turner of Ike & Tina Turner
Tina’s first solo album after leaving her former husband Ike Turner was Rough in 1976.
13. Will Smith of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Will Smith dominated the charts when he released his first solo album Big Willie Style in 1998. It included hits “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,” “Miami,” “Just the Two of Us” and “Men in Black.”
14. Gladys Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pimps
Gladys Knight left her group in 1989. She went on to record nine solo albums.
15. Dr. Dre of NWA
His 1992 solo debut The Chronic was released on Death Row Records.
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Erica Campbell of Mary Mary has been talking about exploring a solo career for a while and she’s officially made the first step.
The Grammy Award-winning gospel artist recently released her first single titled “A Little More Jesus.” The upbeat track doesn’t stray too far from Mary Mary’s original sound, but Erica does a good job of defining herself as a solo artist.
Her forthcoming album is scheduled to be released on My Block Records/ eOne Music later this year.
Take a listen to the track below, then click through the slides to see 15 of our favorite artists who successfully transitioned from group members to solo artists.
1. Beyonce of Destiny’s Child
“Crazy in Love” was the debut single for Queen Bey. In 2004, she won two Grammy Awards for the record, Best R&B Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
2. Patti LaBelle of Labelle
Patti’s self-titled debut solo project was released in 1977.
3. Justin Timberlake, N’Sync
JT established himself as a real artist, opposed to just a boy bander, with his first solo album Justified.
4. Chaka Kahn of Rufus
Her first solo single was “I’m Every Woman.”
5. Ice Cube of NWA AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted was rapper Ice Cube’s debut solo album after leaving NWA.
6. Michael Jackson of the Jackson 5
Youngest brother Michael established his solo career in August 1979 with Off The Wall.
7. Teddy Pendergrass of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes
The legendary R&B singer released his self-titled debut after leaving Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1977.
8. Omarion of B2K
O had major success as a heartthrob in the boy band B2K. He also found chart-topping success as a solo artist in 2005.
9. Lionel Ritchie of The Commodores
He released his debut album on Motown Record in 1982. It included hits like “Truly,” “You Are” and “My Love.”
10. Raphael Saadiq of Tony! Toni! Tone!
Raphael Saadiq’s first solo single was the R&B hit “Ask Of You.”
11. Busta Rhymes of Leaders of the New School
Busta’s first solo banger was 1996’s “Woo-Hah!”
12. Tina Turner of Ike & Tina Turner
Tina’s first solo album after leaving her former husband Ike Turner was Rough in 1976.
13. Will Smith of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Will Smith dominated the charts when he released his first solo album Big Willie Style in 1998. It included hits “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It,” “Miami,” “Just the Two of Us” and “Men in Black.”
14. Gladys Knight of Gladys Knight and the Pimps
Gladys Knight left her group in 1989. She went on to record nine solo albums.
15. Dr. Dre of NWA
His 1992 solo debut The Chronic was released on Death Row Records.
