| Based on a True Story | ||||
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| Released | June 26, 2001 | |||
| 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 singerLil' Mo. It was released on June 26, 2001, throughElektra Records andWarner 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, withShep Crawford,Duro andDJ 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 USBillboard 200 and number six on theTop 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 rapperFabolous, which reached number 11 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and entered the top five of theHot 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 for702,Blackstreet,Timbaland, andTotal, among others.[1] Based on her songwriting skills, she was signed byElektra Records the same year and received exposure when she appeared on rapperOl' Dirty Bastard's second studio albumNigga Please (1999) andMissy Elliott's single "Hot Boyz" (1999).[1] Elektra consulted a variety of producers to work with her on her debut album, includingShep Crawford, Brycyn Evans,DJ Clue and Troy Johnson. Darryl McClary and Mike Allen from production duo Flavahood would go on to executive produceBased 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 withBillboard: "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 pushedBased 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 forVibe: "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]
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 forBased 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 USBillboard Hot 100 and 21 onBillboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart 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 rapperFabolous. Elektra agreed and released the remixed single; the song would go on to peak at number 11 onBillboard Hot 100 and number 4 onBillboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming her most successful single by then.[2] Another single, "Gangsta", failed to match the success of her preceding single.[2]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [4] |
| Blender | [5] |
| NME |  [6] |
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 isMary J. Blige, andBased on a True Story suggests that Blige could have some serious competition in the years to come."[4] Diana Evans fromNME wrote that "for someone who’s been coined aMissy 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."[6]
Nathasha Washington, writing forThe Oklahoman, felt thatBased 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."[7]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."[8] In a negative review forBlender, Keith Harris wrote: "Sadly, this autobiography is short on substance and long on gripes about the high-rolling lifestyle [...] Unfortunately,Story is longer on torch-song pianos and swelling post-gospel swoops than surefire melodies and state-of-the-art beats."[5]
Based on a True Story debuted and peaked at number 14 on the USBillboard 200, selling 73,000 copies in its first week.[9] OnBillboard's component charts, it reached number six on theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[9] The magazin ranked the album 88th on its 2001 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums year-end listing.[10]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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" (featuringFabolous) |
|
| 4:25 |
| 5. | "Player Not the Game" (featuringCarl 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14. | "I Ain't Gotta" |
| Flavahood | 4:10 |
| 15. | "Ta Da" |
| Shep Crawford | 4:22 |
Sample credits
Credits adapted from the liner notes ofBased on a True Story.[11]
Weekly charts[edit]
| Year-end charts[edit]
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