Muni Long Accepts the Rising Star Award | Billboard Women In Music 2025

Muni Long accepts the Rising Star Award at Billboard’s Women In Music 2025.

Muni Long:
Hello, everyone. Good evening. Trying to be cool knowing I can’t see that thing way back there. I stand before you tonight in awe of the incredible journey that has brought me to this moment. It is a testament to the power of perseverance, dedication, and the unwavering belief in the artistry that courses through my veins. But as I stand here, I know this moment is not just about me. It’s about the shoulders I stand on, the culture that shaped me and the people who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. First of all, I want to acknowledge Black women. Yes. The bedrock of not only the music industry, but the very heart of the culture itself. 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 Beyonce and Ms. Lauryn Hill, we have seen our brilliance shape the world in ways that transcend music and art. To the artists before me, those who dared to dream, to break barriers, to challenge the status quo, the Tina Turners, The Sister Rosetta Tharpes, and Janet Jacksons, Mariah Careys and Whitney Houstons. Their influence echoes through every note I sing. Thank you to the aunties with four rings on every finger and a mouth full of slugs. The unpaved, unincorporated Florida streets, the communities that birthed the soul of modern music, the hood which is the genesis of pop culture. 

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