Muni Long had an incredible 2024. The Florida singer’s fourth solo album, Revenge, not only ranked high on the Billboard staff’s Best R&B Albums of 2024 list, it was also nominated for four Grammys, with her single “Made for Me” winning for best R&B performance. And for her breakthrough efforts, Billboard presented her with the Rising Star award at Saturday night’s Billboard Women in Music event.
During her speech, she touched on her journey and the importance of Black women in popular culture. “I stand before you tonight in awe of the incredible journey that has brought me to this moment,” she began. “It is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication and the unwavering belief in the artistry that courses through my veins. But as I stand here, I know this moment is not just about me. It’s about the shoulders. I stand on the culture that shaped me and the people who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.”
She added: “I want to acknowledge Black women … the bedrock of not only the music industry, but the very heart of the culture itself. Black women have always been the architects of innovation, resilience and power. From the soulful tones of Patti LaBelle and Aretha Franklin to the boldness of Beyoncé and Miss Lauryn Hill, we have seen our brilliance shape the world in ways that transcend music and art. To the artists before me, those who dared to dream, to break barriers, to challenge the status quo, the Tina Turners, the Sister Rosetta Tharpes, and Janet Jacksons, Mariah Careys and Whitney Houstons, their influence echoes through every note I sing.”
Muni then acknowledged the community of Gifford, Florida, where she grew up and fell in love with singing, as she thanked “the aunties with four rings on every finger and a mouth full of slugs. The unpaved, unincorporated Florida streets, the communities that birthed the soul of modern music, the hood which is the genesis of pop culture. A place where the creativity of the people screams back into the mainstream.”
She also blessed the Women in Music attendees with a soulful performance of her song “Superpowers.”
Video of Muni Long’s performance and speech will be live here at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night (March 31).
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