Soul Train Awards 2022: Veteran Songwriter Muni Long Invented ‘Song of the Year’
Priscilla Renea Hairston, known professionally as Muni Long, may have just made it on your radar, but this Florida native has been making noise in the industry for over a decade, co-writing songs for mega music stars, including Rihanna, Fifth Harmony, Mary J Blige, and many more.
After years of hard work, Muni found breakthrough success following the release of her 2021 viral r&b track “Hrs & Hrs.” The single was featured on Public Displays of Affection and became her first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Her effort also earned her four nominations at the Soul Train Awards 2022, including “Song of the Year,” “The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,” and many more. Ahead of this year’s celebration of r&b and soul music. hosted by the hilariously funny Deon Cole, get familiar with Muni’s pen game featured in these classic tracks.
Fantasia — “When I Met You”
Under the name Priscilla Hamiton, Muni wrote this mid-tempo r&b track alongside Grammy Award-winning songwriter Ron Feemster for American Idol winner Fantasia. The song was released in 2017 and was featured on the singer’s fifth studio album, The Definition Of, which debuted the year before.
The single was inspired by Fantasia's relationship with her husband, Kendall Taylor, and ultimately peaked at number 18 on the Adult R&B Airplay Billboard chart.
Mary J. Blige — “Don’t Mind”
Our Queen of hip hop and r&b tapped Muni and Jerry Duplessis to co-write this uptempo track, the latter of which handled production. The song was the final single from Mary’s tenth studio album, My Life II… The Journey Continues (Act 1). Muni also has credits on Mary’s 2017 records “It’s Me,” “Kiss and Make Up,” and “Wonderful” from the motion picture soundtrack for Think Like a Man, Too.”
Rihanna — “Watch n’ Learn”
Muni joined Rihanna, Alja Jackson, and Hit-Boy on this single from the singer’s 2011 album Talk That Talk. Hit-Boy also took care of productions on the dancehall single. The song has been widely compared to Janet Jackson’s “Doesn’t Really Matter” due to the record’s playful nature. Muni has written several other songs for the Bajan princess, including “California King Bed” from the singer’s fifth studio album, Loud.
The Soul Train Awards 2022 premieres Saturday, November 26 at 8 pm ET/PT on BET and BET Her.
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