Muni Long is gearing up for the award season with high hopes.

She made a name for herself in 2021 with her Grammy-winning song “Hrs & Hrs.” This February 2, she is excited to go into the awards show with four nominations, the highest in the R&B category. This includes a nod for the best R&B album for her latest work, “Revenge,” and the single “Made For Me,” which recently gained rapid popularity on TikTok.

Despite this success largely fueled by social media, Long mentions that some critics have labeled her an “influencer,” questioning her authenticity as a hit songwriter. While she insists that winning awards is not her primary goal, being nominated and winning a Grammy means a lot to her and validates her work.

“People often disregard the real talent in an artist when they go viral,” she explains. “So to be acknowledged by my peers reassures me that my work is genuine, and they appreciate my efforts to revamp R&B. It really uplifts me.”

Long’s writing credits range across various genres, including pop tracks like Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It,” Selena Gomez’s “Who Says,” and Rihanna’s “California King Bed.” She has also contributed to songs for well-known artists such as Mariah Carey, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter, as well as ventured into country music by co-writing for Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood, among others.

For more than a decade, Long managed to juggle songwriting while building her solo career until her breakthrough hit “Hrs & Hrs” connected deeply with audiences, offering a sensuous vibe that revived “true R&B.” She feels grateful to her fans for enabling her to navigate around the industry’s traditional gatekeepers.

“The consumers hold the power now, and as an artist, I can connect directly with my fans to share my music,” she shares.

With a Grammy now in hand, she reflects on whether her journey in the music industry has transformed.

“I believe it has made my achievements feel more legitimate from my standpoint,” she notes, emphasizing that winning a Grammy as a solo act carries a different significance for her. “It certainly alters how I present myself when I enter a room.”

She acknowledges that fellow artists who have won or been nominated understand the hard work it takes to achieve that accolade, creating a bond of mutual respect among them, which she finds reassuring.

Long is looking forward to appearing at the Grammys with her recent album, “Revenge,” which was released in August.

This album marks her first release since her separation from husband Raysean Hairston, and it features classic breakup tracks that R&B is known for.

Tracks like “The Baddest” exude confidence and empowerment, while “30s” openly discusses the pressures associated with being single. Long shares that she was eight months pregnant when writing “30s,” and she now feels liberated from the expectations often placed on single women.

Fans might find it surprising that Long chose to express her feelings through songs about heartache (like the poignant Grammy-nominated “Ruined Me”), but she believes it’s a natural path. “No one experiences constant happiness,” she remarks. “My aim is for listeners to understand my inner thoughts, how I navigate through challenges, and what loneliness and loss truly feel like, to share my perspective on life.”

Long describes the title “Revenge” as an impromptu choice that resonated with her feelings at the time, reflecting not only her romantic experiences but also her encounters with those who hinder her progress, including those who offer conditional support or impose their own agendas.

“I desire to relish my achievements and find peace. Fighting is not my goal,” she asserts. “Ultimately, my best form of retaliation is to succeed.”