NEW YORK, NY - It has been a big year for gospel royalty Mary Mary, whose critically acclaimed album, "The Sound," has just been named Top Gospel Album by Billboard magazine.

The gospel duo was also named Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist, Duo/Group and Top Gospel Artist by the industry guide. Earlier this month, Mary Mary, received a 2009 Grammy® Award nomination for the record-breaking single, "God In Me," in the Best Gospel Song category.

The duo took home a 2009 Grammy® Award earlier this year (its second overall) for the hit single, "Get Up," in the Best Gospel Performance category and a 2009 American Music Award last month for Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational.

This has truly been banner year for the duo, which, in 2009, has already won a Dove Award, an NAACP Image Award and a BET Award for "The Sound."

According to Billboard magazine, Mary Mary's "God In Me" has earned the highest rank for a song that has spent 52 weeks on a chart in the Nielson SoundScan era (since 1992).

The former record holder, R. Kelly's "Step In The Name Of Love," was No. 11 after a year on the list. Mary Mary is now the only gospel act to have at least two top 10s this decade on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart - "Shackles (Praise You)" peaked at No. 9 in 2000.

"The Sound" occupied the top slot on the Billboard Gospel Album chart for more than six months since its release in October 2008 and was No. 1 for 19 consecutive weeks. "The Sound" has also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart.

Heralded as "Praiseworthy" by People magazine, "The Sound" peaked at No. 1 on a variety of Billboard Christian and Gospel albums charts shortly after its release. The album entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 7, giving Mary Mary their highest chart position - and second Top 10 - album on that chart (2005's "Mary Mary" peaked at No. 8 on the Top 200). "The Sound" achieved one of the highest chart debuts on the Top 200 of any gospel album released in 2008. A bona-fide crossover smash, it made a "Hot Shot" debut on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at No 2.

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