Tina Campbell Scores First Solo Gospel Airplay No. 1 With ‘Pray for Me’

Tina Campbell achieves her first solo chart-topper on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart (dated Jan. 18) with “Pray for Me.” The song, which climbs two spots to the top, advanced by 9% in plays during the Jan. 3-9 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Campbell, who is half of the sibling duo Mary Mary with her older sister Erica, co-authored the single with R.L. Jones Jr. The latter also produced the track, which is from Campbell’s forthcoming album Testify, expected later this year.

“I prayed that the song would have great reach so that it could encourage folks that pray, as well as others that need prayer,” Campbell tells Billboard. “Thank you to everyone who prayed for me.”

Campbell charted five prior Gospel Airplay entries on her own, reaching a previous No. 12 best with “Too Hard Not To” in 2018. She made her rookie solo appearance with “Destiny” (No. 13, 2015) and has also charted with “Speak the Word,” featuring her husband, Teddy Campbell (No. 15, 2016); William McDowell’s “Come to Jesus,” on which she’s featured (No. 22, 2017); and “We Livin” (No. 15, 2018).

Mary Mary has earned three No. 1s among nine top 10s on Gospel Airplay. The twosome led with its most recent hit, as featured, with Le’Andria Johnson, on PJ Morton’s “All in His Plan,” which reigned for a week in September 2020. The duo previously dominated with “God in Me,” featuring Kierra Sheard, for seven weeks in 2009, and “Heaven,” the duo’s initial entry, for 15 frames in 2005.