Based on a True Story is the debut album of American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 R&B singer Lil' Mo

Lil' Mo

Cynthia Loving , also known by her stage name Lil' Mo, is an American R&B singer, Washington, D.C. radio personality, songwriter & record producer. She is best known for collaborating with artists such as Ja Rule, Angie Martinez, Sacario, Missy Elliott, Ol' Dirty Bastard and Fabolous, and for her...

.

Background

Recording for the album began in 1999 when Mo first signed to The Goldmind Inc.

The Goldmind Inc.

The Goldmind, Inc. is an American record label founded by hip hop artist Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. Elliott was once distributed through Elektra Entertainment Group, and more recently by Atlantic Records before starting her own label. The Goldmind, Inc...

 She debuted with the single "5 Minutes" from the "Why Do Fools Fall In Love?" soundtrack. The album's original lead single, "If You Wanna Dance" was later released that year but failed to chart. A music video for the track was released but quickly pulled as Elektra Records delayed the album.

In 2000, Mo and her labels, The Goldmind Inc.

The Goldmind Inc.

The Goldmind, Inc. is an American record label founded by hip hop artist Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. Elliott was once distributed through Elektra Entertainment Group, and more recently by Atlantic Records before starting her own label. The Goldmind, Inc...

/Elektra Records

Elektra Records

Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....

, released "Ta Da". The single charted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 21 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

.

The album was then scheduled for an July 2000 release. In mid fall of 2000, Mo released "Starstruck" featuring Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...

. The song peaked at number 11 on Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

, making it Mo's most successful single to date.

Release & Reception

The album was released on July 11, 2000 to positive reviews. Dan LeRoy of AllMusic gave the album 5/5 stars. He described Mo's voice and musical style in comparison towards Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...

.

Mo went on to release another single, "What About The Children", which failed to enter the Hot 100, and peaked at a disappointing 57 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...

.

Track listing

1. "Intro"
2. "My Story"
3. "She'd Neva Be Me"
4. "How Many Times"
5. "Ta Da"
6. "Starstruck" (featuring Missy Elliott
   Missy Elliott
   Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
   
   )
7. "Club 2G" (featuring Naam & Missy Elliott)
8. "Saturday"
9. "The Playa Not The Game"
10. "Nobody Somebody"
11. "Who You Foolin"" (featuring Mocha)
12. "What About The Children"
13. "Outro"

Leftover Tracks

• "Five Minutes" (featuring Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott)
• "If You Wanna Dance"
• "Finally Ova You"
• "Right & Wrong"