Muni Long’s Revelations: The Genesis of Rihanna’s “California King Bed” and Its Impact on Her Career

Muni Long shared an intriguing anecdote about the creation of Rihanna’s hit song “California King Bed” during an interview with Complex on Monday.

The singer-songwriter, also known as Priscilla Renea, revealed that the song came to fruition while she was multitasking. Long, then 34, was residing in Miami and collaborating at We the Best studio with Jermaine Jackson from The Runners when inspiration struck.

Recalling the moment, Long explained that she was in the midst of planning a move to Los Angeles and had paused her work to browse for furniture online. However, when Jackson entered the room and inquired about her progress, Long found herself spontaneously uttering the title “California King Bed.”

Realizing the potential of the phrase, Long immediately set to work on crafting the song. In a burst of creativity, she penned the lyrics in just 10 minutes, eager to return to her furniture hunt.

Interestingly, Long revealed that the song was originally intended for Kelly Clarkson, but her publisher ultimately decided it would be a better fit for Rihanna. Long expressed her excitement at the prospect of Rihanna recording the track, acknowledging that it marked a significant milestone in her career.

Indeed, the impact of “California King Bed” on Long’s trajectory was substantial. Following its success, Long continued to collaborate with Rihanna and other prominent artists, eventually relaunching her career under her new moniker, Long, in 2019. Last year, Long received three Grammy nominations and clinched a Grammy for Best R&B Performance for her track “Hrs & Hrs.”

Reflecting on her journey, Long emphasized the transformative power of breaking away from her previous role behind the scenes, describing it as a pivotal moment in her career evolution.