Grammy-winning artist and songwriter Muni Long delivered a powerful speech at the Billboard Women in Music event, where she was honored with the ‘Rising Star’ award.
With a fiery and unapologetic declaration, Long credited Black culture and the hood as the foundation of all pop culture in America, igniting applause from the audience.
Honoring Black Women’s Legacy in Music
Taking the stage, Muni Long paid homage to the trailblazing Black women in music who paved the way for artists like herself:
“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.”
Long continued by recognizing icons such as Tina Turner, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston, acknowledging their lasting impact on the music industry.
The Hood: The Birthplace of Pop Culture
In one of the most striking moments of her speech, Muni Long passionately credited the hood—often overlooked and stigmatized—as the birthplace of America’s cultural movements.
“Thank you to the aunties with four rings on every finger and a mouth full of slugs, the unpaved, unincorporated Florida Screets, the communities that birthed the soul of modern music. The hood, which is the genesis of pop culture,” she said.
With a nod to African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and the internet-driven influence of Black communities, Long closed her speech with an electrifying call-and-response moment:
“And on that note, to all the people who understand what I’m about to say… And what about it? And is? And do? And will? And Kate. And don’t let it happen again.”
A Rising Star with a Bold Message
Muni Long’s speech was more than just an acceptance—it was a statement.
By unapologetically centering Black culture as the heartbeat of American pop culture, she solidified herself not only as a rising star but as an advocate for cultural recognition.
With hit songs like Hrs & Hrs and a growing catalog of genre-defying music, Muni Long is proving that she’s not just riding the wave of pop culture—she’s shaping it.
