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Muni Long joined Audacy Atlanta V-103’s The Big Tigger Morning Show to catch up, and chop it up about everything from finding success despite the doubts and haters, what she’s been working on, her thoughts on disposable music, and more.
LISTEN NOW: V-103's Big Tigger Morning Show: Muni Long
After working and hustling and making record after record, Muni does believe she’s rightfully earned her spotlight and success, noting “It definitely feels like I'm supposed to be here, as I work for it.” And that remains true, whether or not haters agree.
“There was a moment after ‘Hrs & Hrs’ when certain folks was like, ‘yeah, it's over for you… that record is dead,’ like at 100 million streams they said that.” But Muni lets the numbers speak for themselves, noting, “I just looked at it yesterday, its at 500 million, almost six.” Also admitting she doesn’t let the naysayers bring her down, if anything it makes her angry and acts as a motivator.
When it comes to the opinions of her peers, in the form of GRAMMY nominations, Long finds that more encouraging than discouraging. “It’s always an encouragement to be acknowledged by your peers because this really is your peers voting,” she explained. “I vote, I'm a GRAMMY voter. So, to know that out of everything that came out that year, that people feel like what you contributed was significant, it’s always great, it’s a wonderful feeling.”
Acknowledging that she “definitely would love to win,” pointing out to members of the Recording Academy that there’s still a chance to get those votes in and “keep the tradition alive and going, whether I get nominated or win or not.”
After starting off as a songwriter, last time Muni caught up with Big Tigger, she expressed her desire to keep more of her writing for herself and focus on doing the work for her instead of somebody else. And while that still rings true, she has been open to taking on more collabs and features.
“Other artists are reaching out, and that always is a great feeling, because that means that you're doing things that people want to be involved in, they wanna become a part of your story and your journey. So I've been doing a lot of features, which is great. And while it’s sort of the same effect, you’re writing for other people… at the same time, you get to partake in the festivities, which is what I love.”
A part of her artistry that actually fits perfectly into her 10-year plan and desire to eventually teach and sign people, and help artists grow, Muni also made note of her want to clean up the business side of music, and set an example to help artists sustain and maintain in an industry she likened to quicksand. “At this point because it's self-cannibalizing, you can't sustain if everybody is trying to finesse everybody. Like it just takes the joy out of doing this. We have to remember why we're doing it and that God gave us these gifts not to take advantage of each other, but to share and to bless others.”
Also sharing her thoughts on the music industry when it comes to, as Tigger refers to as the current trend of disposable music, Muni expressed, “I think the root of the issue and not just for R&B, just music in general is a lot of these artists don't know who they are. So they're just talking about the latest trend or they're following a trendy sound. But when you know who you are and you're able to do things because it resonates with you,” adding, “one of the things I I live by is — what’s most personal, is most universal. So when you're writing things that are personal to you, the human experience, I think that's what tends to transcend.”
Throughout the entire chat Muni also discussed motherhood, if she hid her pregnancy, and shared an update on her separation. She also spoke on those Yolanda Adams look-alike comments and touring with Chris Brown, and more. To catch it, listen to the entire conversation above.