MUNI TO A T

The Grammy nominations notched by Tunji Balogun’s Def Jam reflect the impact of a stellar new R&B arrival and a storied hip-hop veteran.

Muni Long has landed a splashy Best New Artist nomination, as well as Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance noms for the monster hit "Hrs and Hrs," which led to her deal with Def Jam and further cemented her already solid reputation as a songwriter for Rihanna, Fifth Harmony and Ariana Grande, among others. The Florida native (aka Priscilla Renea) earned an Album of the Year look in 2021 for her work on H.E.R.’s Back of My Mind.

Rapper Pusha T, meanwhile, has notched his fifth career nom with a nod in the Best Rap Album category for his critically acclaimed set It’s Almost Dry. Featuring contributions from Ye, JAY-Z, Pharrell Williams and a handful of other notables, the 12-track project was one of the most highly anticipated rap releases of the year. Debuting at #1, King Push proved once again that his vivid, coke bars still resonate with his core fan base—and set him apart as one of the most able storytellers in the genre.