Based on a True Story | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 26, 2001 | |||
Recorded | 1998–2001 | |||
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Length | 58:46 | |||
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Lil' Mo chronology | ||||
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Singles from Based on a True Story | ||||
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Based on a True Story is the debut album by American singer Lil' Mo. It was released on June 26, 2001, through Elektra Records and Warner Music Group. Created over a period of three years, in which its original version was delayed numerous times following arguments with Elektra executives over her image and material, and with preceding singles such as "5 Minutes" and "Ta Da" failing to chart noticeably on the mainstream charts, it went through major reconstructions throughout its creation process. Lil' Mo worked with production duo Flavahood on the majority of the album, with Shep Crawford, Duro and DJ Clue also contributing.
Upon its release, Based on a True Story earned generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics who complimented the album for its authenticity but were critical with its formulaic lyrics. It peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 73,000 copies in its first week of release. Elektra issued two further singles in support of the album, including "Superwoman Pt. II" featuring rapper Fabolous, which reached number 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and entered the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and its follow-up "Gangsta (Love 4 the Streets)".
In 1998, Lil' Mo began her industry career as a songwriter, writing songs for 702, Blackstreet, Timbaland, and Total, among others. [1] Based on her songwriting skills, she was signed by Elektra Records the same year and received exposure when she appeared on rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard's second studio album Nigga Please (1999) and Missy Elliott's single "Hot Boyz" (1999). [1] Elektra consulted a variety of producers to work with her on her debut album, including Shep Crawford, Brycyn Evans, DJ Clue and Troy Johnson. Darryl McClary and Mike Allen from production duo Flavahood would go on to executive produce Based on a True Story on which they placed eleven tracks. [1] When asked about the conception of the album, Lil' Mo elaborated in a 2000 interview with Billboard : "This is a story based on my life. Each song is a chapter from my life. So there should be a chapter on there that other people can relate to as well." [1]
Initially scheduled for a July 11, 2000 release, [1] Elektra pushed Based on a True Story back at least three times. [2] With the album several years in the making, and fighting with the label over her material and delays, Lil' Mo initially decided on quitting the project. [3] Dissatisfied with what she considered mishandling by the label, she also credited the delays to Elektra's consistent tries to soften her "gangsta-girl image." [2] While Merlin Bobb, then executive vice president of A&R, denied these claims, her manager Loreal Coppedge commented in a 2001 article for Vibe : "Fuck Elektra. In the beginning, they were punannies and scared." [2] As part of the delays, several tracks which had been expected to appear on the album, were replaced, including "Starstruck" and "Club 2G", collaborations with rappers Missy Elliott and Naam, as well as "Why", "More Than You Know" and "What About the Children". [1]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Based on a True Story earned generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics. Allmusic editor Dan LeRoy remarked that "probably the best reference point for Lil' Mo's winning blend of street smarts and classic soul divaship is Mary J. Blige, and Based on a True Story suggests that Blige could have some serious competition in the years to come." [4] Diana Evans from NME wrote that "for someone who’s been coined a Missy Elliott protege, this collection is heavily soulful with only a sprinkling of hiphop’s ego. Lyrically, it’s the usual formulaic I-always-wanted-to-be-a-superstar and that-man-done-me-wrong stuff, but the musical intimacy on tracks [...] suggests that Lil’ Mo may well outlive her name." [5]
Nathasha Washington, writing for The Oklahoman , felt that Based on a True Story "affords the rapper plenty of opportunities to express her opinions regarding her family, friends and being a superstar. Lil' Mo is one artist to keep your eye on [...] The 13-track album details Lil Mo's sensuous, fierce and funny personality. Whether it's "My Story" as the album's opener or a memorable interpretation of Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time," Lil' Mo establishes new ground in her solo effort." [6] Billboard found that with the album, she "definitely holds her own. Whether singing about holding on to your dreams, remaining true to yourself, dissecting the relationship tango, or denouncing 'ghetto state-of-mind' materialism, Lil' Mo comes across as the real deal – not another assembly-line molded sound-alike." [7]
Based on a True Story debuted and peaked at number 14 on the US Billboard 200, selling 73,000 copies in its first week. [8] On Billboard's component charts, it reached number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. [8] Billboard ranked the album 88th on its 2001 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year-end listing. [9]
The project spawned several singles. In 1998, Elektra Records released the singles "If You Wanna Dance" and "5 Minutes," both of which were released as potential lead singles. [1] However, the lack of proper charting performance from both singles resulted in a postponement for Based on a True Story; both singles would also be subsequently removed from the album project. [2] In 2000, the label released "Ta Da" as the official lead single. The song managed to peak at 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 21 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs but was later excluded from the standard edition of the album. [1] In 2001, Lil' Mo later convinced Elektra to release her song "Superwoman" under the "Part II" version featuring additional vocals from rapper Fabolous. Elektra agreed and released the remixed single; the song would go on to peak at number 11 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming her most successful single to date. [2] Another single, "Gangsta", failed to match the success of her preceding single. [2]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Intro" | Cynthia Loving | Flavahood | 0:45 |
2. | "My Story" | Loving | Flavahood | 4:14 |
3. | "Supa Star" (featuring J-Star) |
| Flavahood | 4:18 |
4. | "Superwoman Pt. II" (featuring Fabolous) |
|
| 4:25 |
5. | "Player Not the Game" (featuring Carl Thomas) |
|
| 4:23 |
6. | "How Many Times" | Loving | Flavahood | 4:35 |
7. | "2Moro" |
|
| 4:20 |
8. | "Friends (Those Girls)" |
| Flavahood | 3:52 |
9. | "Gangsta" |
|
| 3:11 |
10. | "Saturday" | Loving | Flavahood | 3:56 |
11. | "She Could Neva B Me" | Loving | Flavahood | 5:13 |
12. | "Time After Time" | Flavahood | 5:26 | |
13. | "Outro" | Loving | Flavahood | 1:08 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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14. | "I Ain't Gotta" |
| Flavahood | 4:10 |
15. | "Ta Da" |
| Shep Crawford | 4:22 |
Sample credits
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Based on a True Story. [10]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Cynthia Karen Loving, known professionally as Lil' Mo, is an American singer and songwriter. She is best known for her 2001 single "Superwoman Pt. II", featuring then-unknown rapper Fabolous, which has been credited as launching his career. She first gained recognition as Missy Elliott's protégé, of whom featured on Lil Mo's 1998 debut single "5 Minutes" for the Why Do Fools Fall in Love film soundtrack. The following year, Lil' Mo featured alongside Nas, Eve, and Q-Tip on Missy Elliott's 1999 single "Hot Boyz". In 2000, she guest performed on Ja Rule's singles "Put It on Me" and "I Cry", the former of which earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
John David Jackson, better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper. Raised in Brooklyn, he first gained recognition for his ability upon performing live on DJ Clue's Hot 97 radio show. Jackson then signed to Clue's record label, Desert Storm Records in a joint venture with Elektra Records. He first gained mainstream prominence for his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous (2001), which spawned the hit singles "Can't Deny It" and "Young'n ." His second album, Street Dreams (2003) was further commercially oriented and supported by the singles "Can't Let You Go" and "Into You" —both of which peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
Tamia Marilyn Washington Hill is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Tamia performed in various singing and dancing competitions as a child. In 1994, after signing a development deal with Warner Bros. Records, she was asked by veteran producer Quincy Jones to appear on his album Q's Jook Joint (1995), earning her Grammy Award nominations for their collaboration on "You Put a Move on My Heart" and "Slow Jams". Her self-titled debut album was released in 1998 and followed by a series of successful albums with Elektra Records, including A Nu Day (2000) and More (2004). Several songs from these albums became hit singles on the pop and R&B record charts, including "So Into You", "Stranger in My House", and "Imagination", as well as her collaborations "Into You", "Missing You", and "Spend My Life with You".
Street Dreams is the second studio album by American rapper Fabolous. It was released on March 4, 2003, by Desert Storm Records and Elektra Records. Fabolous worked with a variety of producers on the album, including DJ Clue, Heavy D, Just Blaze, Rick Rock, Timbaland, Trackmasters, and Kanye West. Guest vocalists on Street Dreams include Lil' Mo, Mike Shorey, Paul Cain, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Ashanti, and Mary J. Blige as well as Styles P, Jadakiss, M.O.P., P. Diddy, and Jagged Edge.
Joe Budden is the debut studio album by American rapper Joe Budden. It was released on June 10, 2003, by On Top, distributed by Def Jam. Recording sessions took place from 2002 to 2003, with production by Dub B aka White Boy, along with the other high-profile producers such as Just Blaze and Lofey. The album features guest appearances from Lil' Mo, Busta Rhymes and 112. Upon the record's release, it was met with favorable reviews from music critics. Joe Budden debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 95,000 units in its first week, later the record sold 420,000+ copies in the United States. It also entered at number 55 on the UK Albums Chart.
Between Friends is the fourth studio album by Canadian R&B singer Tamia. Her first project under her own independent label, Plus One Music Group, founded after her departure from Elektra Records in 2004, it was first released in South Africa on May 12, 2006, followed by a worldwide release in the fourth quarter of 2006. A departure from her third studio album More (2004). which included a diverse roster of collaborators, Tamia reteamed with frequent contributor Shep Crawford to work on most of the album, with its title referring to their working relationship and connection during the recording process.
More is the third studio album by Canadian R&B recording artist Tamia. It was released by Elektra Records on April 6, 2004 in North America. Created over a period of three years, in which the singer gave birth to her first child, the album, initially titled Still, was bumped from its original August 2003 schedule after Tamia was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and forced to undergo treatment. With the illness in remission, she resumed work on the album later that year and arranged additional recording sessions with producers Poke & Tone, Spanador and R. Kelly to revamp parts of the album which saw her also reteaming with frequent partners such as Jermaine Dupri, Shep Crawford and Mario Winans.
Pain & Paper is the third studio album by American recording artist Lil' Mo. The album was released on August 28, 2007, by Drakeweb Music Group & Koch Records. It sold only 6,000 copies it first week. Appearances include Da Brat, Jim Jones, Fabolous, and Trina. Producers and songwriters include Jazze Pha, Stargate, Sean Garrett and Ne-Yo.
The discography of Fabolous, an American rapper, consists of seven studio albums, two extended plays, 58 singles, and eleven mixtapes, and amongst various other recordings. Throughout his career, he’s been primarily known as a flagship artist for Def Jam Recordings and Desert Storm Records, however, his first of three studio albums were released through Elektra and Atlantic Records.
Meet the Girl Next Door is the second studio album by American singer Lil' Mo. It was released on April 29, 2003 by Elektra Records. Written and recorded during her eighth-month pregnancy break in which she became a part-time anchor for Baltimore urban radio station WXYV-FM's The Lil' Mo Show, Lil' Mo worked with a variety of producers on the album, including Missy Elliott, Walter "Lil' Walt" Millsap III, Chucky Thompson, Bryan-Michael Cox, Craig Love, Warryn Campbell, Dwayne Bastiany, and Precision. Guest vocalists on Meet the Girl Next Door include rappers Fabolous, Free, and Lil' Kim.
"Stranger in My House" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Tamia. It was written by Shae Jones and frequent collaborator Shep Crawford and produced by the latter. Initially helmed for fellow R&B singer Toni Braxton, it was left unused and later recorded by Tamia for her second studio album, A Nu Day (2000). Inspired by the surprise ending of the supernatural thriller film The Sixth Sense (1999), the strings-led, dramatic R&B ballad is about a woman who is confused with her partner's recent change in behavior and goes into denial about it.
"4Ever" is a song by American singer Lil' Mo. It was written by Lil' Mo along with Bryan-Michael Cox, Craig Love, and Fabolous for her second album, Meet the Girl Next Door (2003), while production was helmed by Cox and Love. Prior to its official physical release, the song was serviced to radio stations through airplay in early December 2002. Upon its release, critics referred to the single as an "uptempo wedding" ode. In the United States, it reached number 37 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"5000 Ones" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Drama. The song serves as his debut single and the lead single from his debut studio album Gangsta Grillz: The Album. The hip hop song, produced by Jazze Pha, features vocals from several rappers, namely Nelly, T.I., Yung Joc, Willie the Kid, Young Jeezy and Twista, as well as Diddy on background vocals and ad-libs. The single peaked at #52 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and peaked at #9 on the Hot Rap Tracks.
"Addiction" is a song written, produced, and performed by American singer and record producer Ryan Leslie. It features vocals by American singer Cassie and American rapper Fabolous, who wrote his guest rap verse. The song contains elements from the composition "I Can't Help It" written by Stevie Wonder and Susaye Greene, as performed by Michael Jackson. Released as the second single from his self-titled debut album, Ryan Leslie (2009), it was sent to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio stations in the United States on July 7, 2008. The track was made available for digital download the following day through Universal Motown Records and Leslie's NextSelection imprint. A version of the song featuring just Cassie was also included in physical versions of the single.
"Can't Let You Go" is a song by American hip-hop artist Fabolous. It was released on February 23, 2003 as the second single from his second studio album Street Dreams. It is a hip hop and R&B song that features Mike Shorey and Lil' Mo and was produced by Just Blaze.
"Can't Deny It" is the debut single by American rapper Fabolous from his debut studio album Ghetto Fabolous. It features Nate Dogg and uncredited backing vocals by Lil' Mo. The song was produced by Rick Rock. Its chorus contains similar lyrics to the chorus of 2Pac's "Ambitionz az a Ridah".
"Superwoman Pt. II" is a song by American recording artist Lil' Mo from her debut album, Based on a True Story (2001). The song features the debut appearance by then-unknown Fabolous and remixed production by hip-hop producers DJ Clue and Ken "Duro" Ifill. To date, "Superwoman Pt. II" remains as Lil' Mo's most successful single to date as a leading artist.
"Ta Da" is a song by American recording artist Lil' Mo. It was released as the lead single for Mo's debut album, Based on a True Story (2001). The song was written by fellow R&B singer Montell Jordan and featured production by Anthony "Shep" Crawford. Background vocals were contributed by Shae Jones, D'Andrea Foster, Shonte Taylor and Pam Olivia.
"Gangsta ", also known as "Gangsta", is a song by American recording artist Lil' Mo. It was released as the third and final single from Mo's debut album, Based on a True Story (2001). The song was produced and co-written by Darryl "Big Baby" McClary and Michael "Suga Mike" Allen from Mo's production team Flavahood, and features a notable sample of Snoop Dogg's 1994 single, "Gin and Juice".
The discography of American R&B singer-songwriter and rapper Lil' Mo consists of five studio albums, two mixtapes and fourteen singles.
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