Muni Long, born Priscilla Renea Hamilton in Gifford, Florida on September 14, 1988, spent most of her early career behind the scenes as one of the industry’s top songwriters.

She penned hits for superstars like Rihanna (“California King Bed”), Pitbull (“Timber”), Ariana Grande, and many more, earning six-figure checks but little public recognition.

For over a decade, she was the invisible force behind the music, watching others perform her songs on award shows and magazine covers while she remained in the shadows.

Her journey began with church performances and local talent competitions, where her gift for harmony and melody was clear from a young age. After posting original songs and covers on YouTube as a teenager, she caught the attention of Capitol Records and signed a deal at 18.

Her debut album, *Jukebox*, garnered positive reviews but failed to ignite commercially, leaving her label unsure how to market her sound. Instead, Capitol pushed her into songwriting for other artists—a move that brought financial stability but a sense of invisibility and creative frustration.

By 2018, Priscilla Renea was burned out. She left Capitol Records, released an independent album called *Colored*, and struggled with depression as the industry moved on and younger artists rose to fame via TikTok. Her husband, music producer Masimba Chabanda, supported her through these tough years, but money was tight and her dream of solo stardom seemed out of reach.

In 2019, she rebranded as Muni Long (pronounced “money long”), inspired by an ancient sage and a desire to manifest her own success. For two years, she released music independently and performed small shows, but nothing stuck—until 2021.

That year, she wrote and recorded “Hours and Hours,” a raw, piano-driven R&B ballad about unconditional love, in her home studio. Released with little fanfare, the song exploded on TikTok, going viral as couples used it for relationship videos. Within days, it shot up the iTunes charts and racked up millions of streams, making Muni Long an overnight sensation at age 33.

Major labels came calling, and she signed with Def Jam as an artist, not just a songwriter. In 2023, she won her first Grammy for Best R&B Performance with “Hours and Hours,” finally receiving the recognition she’d long deserved.

But fame brought new challenges. In 2024, her nine-year marriage ended. She sparked controversy with comments about black women on TikTok, refusing to apologize and doubling down in subsequent posts.

The backlash was intense, fracturing her relationship with the black community that had supported her. Further drama followed, including a public spat with R&B singer Life Jennings and accusations of sabotage after technical issues marred her Essencefest performance.

Despite the scandals, Muni Long remains unapologetically herself. She’s spoken openly about living with lupus and being autistic, adding complexity to her public persona. Her net worth sits at $4 million—comfortable, but not on par with the stars she once wrote for. Radio play and collaborations have declined, but “Hours and Hours” endures as a modern R&B classic.

At 37, Muni Long’s story is still unfolding. She faces a crossroads: rebuild bridges and redeem herself, or continue as a divisive, authentic figure. What’s clear is that she went from ghostwriter to Grammy winner to controversial celebrity faster than anyone expected—and her journey is far from over.