In YSL News’s The Essentials, stars share what drives their passions, whether at home, filming, or traveling.

R&B sensation Muni Long possesses an extraordinary talent for songwriting.

Having penned hit songs for artists like Rihanna (“California King Bed”), Fifth Harmony (“Worth It”), Mariah Carey, Madonna, and Ariana Grande, she has been carving out her own musical journey over the last five years. She rose to fame in 2021 with her Grammy-winning track “Hrs & Hrs,” and she aims to repeat that success at the upcoming February awards, where she has received four nominations—the highest in the R&B category— including best R&B album for her latest work, “Revenge,” and its viral TikTok hit “Made For Me.”

“Going viral on TikTok comes with this tag that the impact isn’t genuine, or it’s just a fleeting moment. So receiving acknowledgment from my fellow artists that, ‘No, it’s real. We genuinely appreciate what she’s doing, and we love how she’s revitalizing R&B,’ is really validating for me.”

From her current playlist (which includes Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX”) to her essential songwriting tools and what creates a TikTok sensation, Muni Long shares her Essentials with us.

Muni Long on her spontaneous songwriting: ‘I receive a divine download’

Long’s primary rule when it comes to songwriting is to avoid distractions. The artist behind “Ruined Me” prefers working in a quiet studio space without many people around, and she strives to keep other influences away from her creative process. “I want my unique thoughts to inspire my melodies and lyrics as much as possible.”

She refers to her creativity as a heavenly gift and believes she cannot claim full credit for it.

“It’s like a stream of consciousness. I get this divine inspiration, and it just flows out,” she explains. “The song usually comes together so quickly, often within ten minutes. By that time, I have a first verse, a chorus, and maybe even a pre-chorus. Adding a bridge might take another ten minutes, but I’ve never spent more than 45 minutes on a complete song.”

Inspiration can strike her unexpectedly, even during casual conversations, prompting her to excuse herself to capture her ideas. “People who are used to my process know to step aside and let me work. Those who aren’t familiar are often surprised, asking, ‘Did you just create that on the spot?'”

Muni Long educates us on songwriting

What elements define a great song and an exceptional songwriter?

“I learned that excellent songs incorporate space,” Long shares. “The spacing between the melody and lyrics is just as critical as the melody and lyrics themselves.”

The singer emphasizes that a good song should capture attention quickly, maintain clarity, and feature a catchy chorus.

“There’s a song from the 1990s children’s show ‘Lamb Chop’ that I adored as a child,” she recalls, humming “The Song That Doesn’t End.” “It just keeps looping. If you can achieve that in a song, you truly have a remarkable skill. You should be able to start at any point in the song and have it make sense when spoken aloud.”

Regarding writer’s block, the Grammy-winning artist feels quite the opposite.

“If I’m not experiencing a flood of ideas, it simply indicates that nothing needs to be expressed in that moment,” she explains. “My role is minimal; I’m just the voice saying what resonates in my head.”

Muni Long’s vocal practices: Rest, Tea, and Ginger Crystals

Muni Long prioritizes her vocal health. Before each performance, you might catch her sipping tea infused with fresh ginger crystals. Ensuring she has a restful night’s sleep and steering clear of coffee, alcohol, or citrus several days ahead of a show are crucial for her.

“In the past, I didn’t take it seriously enough. I was overwhelmed and trying to do too much,” she reflects. “Living with lupus, I often dealt with inflammation, which made it hard to maintain my voice.”

She recalls that on the crucial morning of her performance of “Made For Me” at the Soul Train Awards in 2023, she lost her voice completely. A vocal coach helped her regain it after two hours of work.

“It’s like being an athlete. It’s serious,” she emphasizes. “Sometimes, I even carry a sign or a sticky note on my shirt that says ‘vocal rest.’ I use hand signals to communicate that I’m not speaking. It’s a very strict routine.”

Muni Long’s Playlist: Kendrick Lamar, Classical Music, and Subliminal Messages

“I prefer listening to music that is distinctly different from what I’m currently working on,” Long explains.

As a fan of rap, Long includes Kendrick Lamar’s recent album, “GNX,” and Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia” in her playlist.

Her musical interests are quite varied. Among her favorites is Italian film composer Piero Piccioni, and she enjoys listening to audio subliminal messages, solfeggio frequencies—soothing sound patterns believed to have positive health benefits—and sounds of rain.

“I often play Piccioni’s compositions while flying, in hotels when I need to relax. I also listen to a lot of frequency music, like subliminal messaging. These affirmations, like ‘You’re powerful’ or ‘You’re amazing,’ help me,” she adds.

What Makes a TikTok Hit? Insights from ‘Made For Me’ Singer Muni Long

Long’s songs have organically found popularity on TikTok. The chorus of “Time Machine,” noted for its smooth vocal runs, is frequently used by TikTokers for time-related themes, while “Made For Me” resonates with users reconnecting via the lyric, “Twin, where have you been?”

There’s no definitive method for crafting a hit on TikTok—it’s usually best to avoid trying too hard.

“I have an instinct about what could do well, but I believe TikTok’s success comes from organic trends,” she suggests. “If you spend enough time on the platform, you can tell what feels genuine and what seems forced. People can spot when someone is trying too hard to go viral.”

Long emphasizes that TikTok users are adept at distinguishing authentic content from staged attempts.

“Talking on TikTok is like speaking a different language. There’s a unique way to phrase things that can lead to viral moments, and predicting that is nearly impossible,” she concludes.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.