Muni Long’s face may still be new to people, but plenty of music fans have <br />heard the singer’s words, as she’s penned songs for everyone from Rihanna <br />to Ariana Grande over the past 10 years. Though she’s released two studio <br />albums, the first in 2009 and another in 2018, it wasn’t until her hit single <br />“Hrs & Hrs,” released independently in late 2021, that everyone started to <br />know her name.<br /><br />The success of the track led Long to receive a nomination for Favorite <br />R&B song and Favorite Female R&B artist at this year’s American Music <br />Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles November 20. When we<br />asked Long how she persevered on her decade-long journey to make it to <br />this point, the singer-songwriter told ESSENCE, “What kept me going was the<br />thought in the back of my mind, there’s somebody out here who needs me to<br />win because if I win and they see me win they know they can win too.” <br /><br />Remarking that those words might “sound super corny” to some, Long <br />added, “So many people every day tell me how inspired they are by my <br />story, my journey, and the fact that I didn’t give up. People who’ve known <br />me, who’ve been super close to me are like, man, you really did it, and that <br />is amazing.”<br /><br />The journey for Long doesn’t stop at the AMAs. She’s also been <br />nominated for three Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, <br />and Best R&B Performance. Calling this season in her career “freeing,” Long <br />says of the recognition of her talent, “This is only the beginning and that’s <br />the scary part.”<br /><br />“I didn’t even really try,” she says when it comes to the current <br />accolades. “I was just flowing. So next year I plan to put my foot on the gas. <br />More music, more content, definitely more performances, maybe a tour – I <br />don’t know, working on it. I just want to take it to the next level.”<br /><br />Check out our full interview in the video above.
