Julia Michaels Presents Muni Long With the Rising Star Award | Billboard Women In Music 2025

Julia Michaels presents Muni Long with the Rising Star Award presented by Honda at Billboard Women In Music 2025.

Julia Michaels:
Hello! Billboard Women in Music, I had so much fun shooting that video. And now I am so happy to be here with all of you. Now, you might be wondering, why is a Rising Star Award going to somebody who has been writing top hits for over a decade for the likes of Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande? It’s because the Rising Star Award celebrates things that are new and that can include reinvention, taking risks and finding different ways for talents to rise to the surface. In the last couple of years, as Muni Long has transitioned from songwriter to recording artist, we are literally hearing her voice in an entirely new way. And as someone who knows what it’s like to travel that journey, take it from me, it can be very scary. But Muni did not let fear stop her. She followed her instincts and forged ahead, and that is exactly why Billboard Women in Music is honoring her tonight. Yes. In just the last couple of years, Muni has racked up three career Hot 100 hits, including the two top 20 hits, “Hrs & Hrs” and “Made For Me.” She’s landed ten career titles on the Hot R&B Songs chart, with five in 2024 alone. “Made for Me” reached No. 2 and dominated the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart for seven weeks straight. And the song just earned Muni her second Grammy Award for best R&B performance. She’s also using her voice to help others rise, even as she climbs the charts. She fights for fair pay and recognition for songwriters, taking her mission all the way to Washington, D.C. Let’s turn our gaze to a talent that’s burning brighter than ever.