Priscilla Renea

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Priscilla Renea
Birth namePriscilla Renea Hamilton
Also known asMuni Long
Born (1988-09-14) September 14, 1988 (age 32)
OriginVero Beach, Florida, U.S.[1]
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar[1]
Years active2007–present
Labels
Associated actsAriana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Muni Long
Websitewww.priscilla-renea.com

Priscilla Renea Hamilton (born September 14, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, and activist for royalty reform and systemic racism.[3][4][5][6][7] She was signed to Capitol Records.[8] Her debut album, Jukebox, was released (via Capitol Records) on December 1, 2009, while her second one, Coloured, was released (via Thirty Tigers/Sony Music) in 2018.[1][9] She is best known for writing/co-writing the hit singles "California King Bed" by Rihanna, "Worth It" by Fifth Harmony, Kelly Clarkson's "Love So Soft", Pitbull's "Timber", and "A No No" by Mariah Carey. She has been described by Rolling Stone as "genre-agnostic".[10]

Early life[]

Renea was born in Vero Beach, Florida in 1988, in a rural setting. Her father was a member of the Navy.[11] She has stated she began singing at age two but was not comfortable with singing around people until she was older.[1][9] She later stumbled upon YouTube and began posting videos of her singing in her room. Her first video was a rendition of "Cry Me a River" she submitted to a contest whose winner would sing with Justin Timberlake at the Grammy Awards, albeit she did not win.[12] She recorded videos of herself singing the dictionary, and made her own songs independently.[1] Her channel eventually received over 30,000 subscriptions and she was given the opportunity to participate in MTV's Say What? Karaoke.[9]

Career[]

The album was due for an October 20, 2009 release but was delayed for additional recording to occur. The album was preceded by the single "Dollhouse", which was released on August 18, 2009. The single failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 but did reach number eleven on the Heatseekers singles chart,[13] No. 31 on the Hot Dance Club Songs becoming a mild chart success.[14][15]

Jukebox, was released on December 1, 2009. The record sold a mere 1,200 copies in its first week and failed to reach the Billboard 200. However, it did reach number twenty-three on the Billboard Heatseekers album charts, staying on the chart for one week.[16] Despite its commercial failure, the album was critically acclaimed.[17] Billboard highlighted her "knack for combining prose and poetry with catchy beats".[18] The second and final single, "Lovesick", was released on March 2, 2010 but failed to chart completely.[19]

Renea co-wrote the UK number-one single "Promise This" in 2010,[20] as well as "California King Bed", a track from Rihanna's fifth studio album, Loud, released in November 2010.[21] During the fall of 2011, she took part in the ASCAP retreat, a songwriting event in France sponsored by Cain Foundation, Avid, Gibson and Sennheiser.[22] She continued her songwriting career, landing credits on 2011 and 2012 albums by Demi Lovato, Rihanna, Madonna, Mika, Selena Gomez & The Scene, Chris Brown and Little Mix.[23][24]

In 2013, Renea was featured in B.o.B's song "John Doe" from his album Underground Luxury.[25] In 2014 she also contributed to Fifth Harmony's debut album Reflection by co-writing the song "Worth It", being the album's third single; the song reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[20][26] Renea co-wrote Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert's 2014 hit duet, "Somethin' Bad," which was nominated for a Grammy Award, and reached #1 on Billboard's Country Chart.[27]

Renea appeared as the vocalist on the 2015 single "Be Right There" by Diplo and Sleepy Tom. The track was given 'the hottest record in the world' title on the Annie Mac BBC Radio 1 Friday night show. The lyrics in "Be Right There" were taken from the 1992 single "Dont Walk Away" by Jade.

The song "Somethin' Bad," which Renea co-wrote with Chris DeStefano and Brett James, was chosen by NBC Sports to replace "I Hate Myself for Loving You" by Joan Jett as the opening theme for its National Football League coverage beginning in 2016. Like Jett's song, "Somethin' Bad" was reworked to fit the broadcast's narrative as "Oh, Sunday Night" and was performed by Carrie Underwood, who recorded the original with Miranda Lambert.[28] That same year, Renea collaborated with Pusha T and Meek Mill in "Black Moses". The song served as part of The Birth of a Nation soundtrack album.[29][30]

In 2017, Renea featured in Train's song "Loverman", from their album A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat. On April 6, 2018, Renea released "Gentle Hands" and "Heavenly", the first two singles from her forthcoming album, Coloured. Music videos for both singles premiered online via Paper Magazine.[31] The album was released on June 22, 2018, marking nine years since her debut.[32] NPR noted that as an African-American country album Coloured was a "consciously confrontational statement".[33] Rolling Stone showcased "Family Tree" within the album as a song of "empowerment".[10] The song "Land of the Free," according to NPR, serves as "an appeal for empathy toward those who live in fear of racial profiling and police brutality".[34] Ashley Gorley co-wrote several tracks.[35]

Muni Long[]

Renea, working under the Muni Long pseudonym as of 2019, released the song "Midnight Snack" with an accompanying video, featuring Jacob Latimore in October 2020.[36] She also co-wrote Ariana Grande's "Just like Magic" and "Six Thirty". Stating Long is the "protector of Priscilla", Long released her single titled "Build A Bae" featuring rapper Yung Bleu in December 2020, her 4th single release since October 2. She previously released her debut EP Black Like This, which "celebrates Blackness", on November 13 under her co-founded label imprint, Supergiant Records.[37]

According to Vogue, Long reflects "her new strong, fabulous persona through fashion" as well as music, creating a new "fashion identity" with the help of celebrity stylist Jason Rembert. Discussing the notion of being a Black role model, she stated: "how you're introduced to someone is the way they will remember you, unless you are reintroduced," following up with: "I'm in the reintroduction process."[37]

Personal life[]

Renea has lived in Atlanta and subsequently LA since leaving Florida.[38][39] She has been diagnosed with lupus. She has cited bankruptcy, litigation, battles with former management, plus the "whirlwind of being dropped, re-signed then dropped again from a label" as creative catalysts for her work.[40][41][42]

Her song "Family Tree" was inspired by the time she was "kicked out of her family's home as a teenager".[35]

She attended Vero Beach High School, the same high school as Jake Owen.[43]

Discography[]

Studio albums[]

List of albums, with selected chart positions, certifications, and sales
Title Album details
Jukebox
Coloured

Singles[]

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
 US
R&B
 Hot Dance Club Songs
 Heatseekers
"Dollhouse" 2009 — — 31 11 Jukebox
"Lovesick" — — — —
"Gentle Hands" 2018 — — — — Coloured
"Heavenly" — — — —
"Family Tree" — — — —

Writing discography[]

Year Artist Album Details
2008 Girlicious Girlicious Co-writer ("Here I Am")
2009 Priscilla Renea Hello My Apple EP Main Writer
Jukebox
Cheryl 3 Words Co-writer, Backing Vocals ("Happy Hour")
2010 Messy Little Raindrops Co-writer, Backing Vocals ("Promise This", "Hummingbird", "Raindrops", "The Flood")
Rihanna Loud Co-writer, Backing Vocals ("California King Bed")
2011 Chris Brown F.A.M.E. Co-writer ("Beg For It")
Big Sean Finally Famous Backing Vocals ("My Last", "What Goes Around")
Selena Gomez & The Scene When the Sun Goes Down Co-writer, Vocal, Producer, Backing Vocals ("Who Says", "Bang Bang Bang")
Kelly Rowland Here I Am Co-writer ("Work It Man", "Turn It Up")
Greyson Chance Hold On 'til the Night Co-writer ("Stranded")
Demi Lovato Unbroken Co-writer ("Fix a Heart", "Yes I Am")
Cher Lloyd Sticks and Stones Co-writer ("Superhero")
Rihanna Talk That Talk Co-writer ("Watch n' Learn")
Mary J. Blige My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) Co-writer ("Don't Mind")
Yelawolf Radioactive Co-writer, Backing Vocals ("Made in the U.S.A")
Six D (N/A) Co-writer ("Best Damn Night")
2012 Madonna MDNA Co-writer ("Gang Bang", "Love Spent")
Chris Brown Fortune Co-writer, Additional Vocals ("Don't Wake Me Up")
Mika The Origin of Love Co-writer, Featured Vocalist ("Popular Song")
Bridgit Mendler Hello My Name Is... Co-writer ("All I See Is Gold", "5:15")
Girls' Generation Girls' Generation II: Girls & Peace Co-writer ("I'm A Diamond")
Little Mix DNA Co-writer ("Turn Your Face")
Sabi All I Want Co-writer ("Where They Do That At?")
2013 Demi Lovato Demi Co-writer ("In Case")
K. Michelle Rebellious Soul Main Writer ("V.S.O.P.")
Tamar Braxton Love and War Co-writer ("Tip Toe")
The Saturdays Living For the Weekend Main Writer ("Gentleman", "Lease My Love")
Pitbull Meltdown Co-writer ("Timber")
B.o.B Underground Luxury Co-writer, Featured Vocalist ("John Doe")
Chrisette Michele Better Co-writer ("Snow")
2014 Miranda Lambert Platinum Co-writer ("Somethin' Bad")
FEMM (duo) Femm-Isation Co-writer, Co-Producer ("Whiplash")
Mary J. Blige Think Like a Man Too (soundtrack) Co-writer ("Wonderful")
2015 Fifth Harmony Reflection Co-writer ("Worth It", "Going Nowhere")
Mariah Carey #1 to Infinity Co-writer ("Infinity")
Monica Code Red Co-writer ("I Miss Music")
Currensy Canal Street Confidential Co-writer ("Bottom of the Bottle")
Charlie Puth Nine Track Mind Co-writer ("River")
2016 K. Michelle More Issues Than Vogue Main Writer ("Time", "Rich", "All I Got", "Memphis")
Fifth Harmony 7/27 Co-writer ("Write on Me", "Squeeze")
Nick Jonas Last Year Was Complicated Co-writer ("Touch", "Bacon")
Sabrina Carpenter Evolution Co-writer ("Thumbs")
Meek Mill, Pusha T The Birth of a Nation: The Inspired By Album Co-writer ("Black Moses")
Fantasia The Definition Of... Co-writer ("When I Met You")
2017 Brooke Candy, Sia Daddy Issues Co-writer ("Living Out Loud")
Kelly Clarkson Meaning of Life Co-writer ("Love So Soft")
ZZ Ward The Storm Co-writer ("Help Me Mama")
Train A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat Co-writer ("Drink Up (song)"), ("Crazy Queen") Co-Writer, Featured Vocalist ("Loverman")
K. Michelle Kimberly: The People I Used to Know Co-writer ("Brain on Love")
Tamar Braxton Bluebird of Happiness Co-writer ("Heart in My Hands")
Mary J. Blige Strength of a Woman Co-writer ("It's Me")
2018 Mariah Carey Caution Co-writer ("A No No")
Priscilla Renea Coloured (album) Main Writer (All Tracks), Producer ("You Shaped Box", "If I Ever Loved You", "Let's Build a House")
Ariana Grande thank u, next Co-writer ("imagine")
David Guetta "She Knows How To Love Me"
2019 Ariana Grande Co-writer ("fake smile")
Claudia Leitte "Bandera"
2020 Positions Co-writer ("just like magic", "six thirty")
2021 Florida Georgia Line Life Rolls On Main Writer ("New Truck")

As Muni Long[]

EPs[]

Year Album Label Details
2020 Black Like This Supergiant Records

Singles[]

Year Song Details
2020 "Build a Bae" ft. Yung Bleu
2021 "Thot Thoughts" ft. Sukihana
2021 "Bodies"
2021 "Luv Kanye"
2021 "Sneaky Link"

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Priscilla Renea: Full Biography". MTV. MTV Networks. February 24, 2010. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  2. ^ "Priscilla Renea Music". artist website. virginrecords.com. Retrieved 2013-12-14.
  3. ^ Trakin, Roy. "Charlotte Caffey and Anna Waronker Preview Stonewall Musical, Billie Eilish's Dreams Come True at ASCAP Expo". Variety. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  4. ^ Renea, Priscilla. "OP-ED: Priscilla Renea on why celebrating Juneteenth is more important than Fourth of July". The grio. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  5. ^ Broadnax, Jamie. "BGN Interview: Singer-Songwriter Priscilla Renea". Black Girl Nerds. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  6. ^ Willis, Cortney. "EXCLUSIVE: Priscilla Renea on confronting racism in country music". The grio. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  7. ^ Michel, Martin. "Priscilla Renea Refuses To Be Quiet About Racism In Country Music". NPR. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  8. ^ Ryan, Chris (October 16, 2009). "MTV Discover & Download: Priscilla Renea". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bell, Crystal (October 16, 2009). "Priscilla Renea Prepares 'Jukebox' Debut". Billboard. e5GlobalMedia. Retrieved February 25, 2010.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b FREEMAN, JON; REEVES, MOSI; JOHNSTON, MAURA. "10 New Albums to Stream Now: The Carters, Nine Inch Nails, Kamasi Washington and More Editors' Picks". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
  11. ^ Album Review: sHE WPriscilla Renea’S “Jukebox” Archived 2010-01-02 at the Wayback Machine. Concreteloop.Com (2009-12-01); retrieved on 2011-06-12.
  12. ^ Seventeen's Inspiring True Teen Stories. Hearst Corporation. 2012. ISBN 9781453259030. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  13. ^ Priscilla Renea Album & Song Chart History. Billboard.com (2009-11-07); retrieved 2011-06-12.
  14. ^ Priscilla Renea/chart-history/1118129#/artist/priscilla-renea/chart-history/1118129?f=381&g=Singles
  15. ^ Recker, Rachael. "Priscilla Renea's soul/pop sound gains following with 'Dollhouse' single". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  16. ^ Priscilla Renea Album & Song Chart History. Billboard.com (2009-11-07); retrieved 2011-06-12.
  17. ^ Priscilla Renea: Jukebox. Prefixmag.com (2009-12-01); retrieved 2011-06-12.
  18. ^ "Billboard 9 Jan 2010". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  19. ^ Official Website, Priscillareneamusic.com; retrieved 2011-06-12.
  20. ^ Jump up to: a b Kawashima, Dale. "Priscilla Renea Co-Writes Hits For Fifth Harmony, Pitbull, Miranda Lambert and Chris Brown; Readies New Artist Project". Songwriter Universe. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  21. ^ Walters, Tommy. "Songwriters are often unsung artists. Here are 5 you should know". PBS. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  22. ^ "ASCAP Songwriters Retreat". Billboard Magazine. October 22, 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  23. ^ Madden, Michael. "Album Review: Yelawolf – Radioactive". Consequence. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  24. ^ Cantwell, Nick. "Where Are The Black Women Of Country Music?". Belles & Gals. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  25. ^ "B.o.B Unveils New Track 'John Doe' Feat Priscilla". Capital Xtra. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  26. ^ Reflection (CD liner notes). Fifth Harmony. Epic Records/Syco Music. 2015.CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  27. ^ Cohen, Sandy. "Melissa Etheridge, Priscilla Renea share songwriting secrets". The Associated Press. CTV News. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  28. ^ Betts, Stephen (20 June 2016). "Carrie Underwood Records a New 'Sunday Night Football' Theme Song". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  29. ^ LEGASPI, ALTHEA. "Hear Meek Mill, Pusha T's Powerful New Song 'Black Moses'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  30. ^ Lozano, Kevin. "Listen to Pusha T and Meek Mill's "Black Moses" for The Birth of a Nation Soundtrack". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  31. ^ "Priscilla Renea Is the Brain Behind Your Favorite Bangers". PAPER. 6 April 2018.
  32. ^ "Priscilla Renea - Coloured". Amazon.
  33. ^ Hight, Jewly. "A Portrait Of A Subtly Changing Nashville From 25 Angles". NPR. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  34. ^ Hight, Jewly. "Priscilla Renea's 'Coloured' Tells A Different Story About Country Music". NPR. Retrieved 23 June 2021.
  35. ^ Jump up to: a b Whitaker, Stirling. "Priscilla Renea Erases Country's Boundaries With New Song 'Family Tree'". Taste of Country. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  36. ^ Espinoza, Joshua. "Premiere: Muni Long Shares Sensual Video for "Midnight Snack" f/ Jacob Latimore". Complex. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  37. ^ Jump up to: a b Allaire, Christian. "Muni Long Is an R&B-Pop Singer—and Fashion Plate—to Watch". Vogue. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  38. ^ Domenighini, Annalise. "Priscilla Renea Is More Country Than You'll Ever Be". Vice. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  39. ^ SMITH, COURTNEY E. "Rihanna Songwriter Priscilla Renea Is Ready To Break Out". Refinery29. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  40. ^ Jackson, Brittany K. "ASCAP Honors Powerful Women Behind the Music". LA Sentinel. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  41. ^ Rys, Dan. "Sound Royalties Announces $100 Million Investment in Advances for Songwriters Over 24 Months: Exclusive". Billboard Magazine. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  42. ^ Abramovich, Alex. "Even When It's a Big Fat Lie". London Review of Books. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  43. ^ Freeman, John. "Hit Songwriter Priscilla Renea on New Album 'Coloured,' Race in America". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 June 2021.

External links[]

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