Based on a True Story (Lil' Mo album)
Based on a True Story | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 26, 2001 | |||
Recorded | 1998–2001 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 58:46 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
| |||
Lil' Mo chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Based on a True Story | ||||
|
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)".
Background
In 1998, Lil' Mo began her industry career as a songwriter, writing songs for
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]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
NME | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Based on a True Story earned generally mixed to positive reviews from music critics.
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]
Commercial performance
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 "
Track listing
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" (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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
14. | "I Ain't Gotta" |
| Flavahood | 4:10 |
15. | "Ta Da" |
| Shep Crawford | 4:22 |
Sample credits
- "Gangsta" embodies portions of "Gin and Juice", written by H. Casey, R. Finch, Calvin Broadus, A. Young, S. Arrington, S. Washington, and M. Adams.
- "I Ain't Gotta" contains a sample from "Fuhgidabowdit", written by J.T. Smith, J.C. Olivier, S. Barnes, E. Simmons, C. Smith, and R. Noble.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Based on a True Story.[10]
- Michael Graham Allen – composer, engineer
- Ben Arrindell – engineer
- Quincy Patrick – composer
- Merlin Bobb – assistant executive producer
- Jay Brown – assistant executive producer
- Anne Catalino – engineer, mixing
- Earl Cohen – mixing
- Shep Crawford – composer, producer, vocal arrangement
- Kevin KD Davis – mixing
- C.J. DeVillar – engineer
- Fred Duro – producer
- Brycyn "Juvie" Evans – composer
- Fabolous – vocalse
- Flavahood – engineer, producer
- Andy Grassi – engineer
- Rob Hyman – composer
- Ken "Duro" Ifill – composer
- J.J. Jackson – composer
- Troy Johnson – composer, mixing, producer
- Quincy Patrick – composer
- Shae Jones – vocals (background)
- Montell Jordan – composer, vocal arrangement
- Cyndi Lauper – composer
- Lil' Mokey – vocals
- Dominick Maybank – bass
- Darryl McClary – composer, executive producer
- Pam Olivia – vocals
- Kenny Ortíz – engineer
- Herb Powers – mastering
- Todd Reynolds – orchestra
- Shawn Smith – keyboards
- Steve Souder – engineer, mixing
- Spaceman – bass, guitar
- J Star – vocals
- Carl Thomas – vocals
- Joshua Thompson – assistant producer, composer
- Alexis Yraola – design
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hall, Rashaun (June 10, 2000). "Lil' Mo Ready To Tell Her Story". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f Seymour, Craig (August 1, 2001). "Shorty Hard Rock". Vibe. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ Seymour, Shaheem (August 1, 2001). "Lil' Mo Ready To Tell Her Story". MTV News. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ a b LeRoy, Dan. Based on a True Story – Review. AllMusic.com. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ a b Evans, Diana (June 30, 2001). "Lil' Mo : Based On True Story". NME. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Washington, Natasha (July 13, 2001). "CD REVIEWS". The Oklahoman. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "Reviews & Previews". Billboard. July 13, 2001. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ a b "50 Cent Holds Off 'Idol' To Return To No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
- ^ a b "R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Best of 2001". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ Based on a True Story (liner notes). Lil' Mo. Elektra Records. 2001.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "R&B : Top 50". Jam!. July 18, 2001. Archived from the original on July 23, 2001. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 15, 2020.