Lil Mo Shines on Her Debut Elektra Album

Over the years we have seen quite a few background singers emerge from the shadows into the spotlight, and move on to major success. If Lil Mo has her way, her debut album "Based on A True Story" might just be the vehicle to propel her to international heights and establish her as a solo recording artiste.

"Timing is everything," says the multi-talented hip-hop/R&B singer. She should know as her much anticipated debut album is coming out on the heels of a string of hit projects. Blessed with a charismatic presence, Lil Mo added her searing vocals to Ja Rule’s latest chart monster hit "Put it On Me," making it one of the first big hits of 2001.

She was also featured on Missy Elliott’s platinum selling single "Hot Boyz," as well as "I Can’t See" by fellow Elektra recording artiste Nicole. She also co-wrote songs for Timbaland, Blackstreet, 702, Nicole, Next, Total and Changing Faces. In between projects, she collaborated with Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish and singer Tamia.

Now with her album ready to drop in record stores on May 23, Lil Mo is bracing herself for a hectic schedule and to hit the road to promote the project. But, after being featured on so many projects, how does Lil Mo feel about releasing her first album?

"It was great. I felt it was about time. For me it was a great experience and in no way at all, did I feel pressured while working on this project. I felt more pressured doing other projects rather than my very own," the 23-year-old told this writer in an interview recently.

Lil Mo said she started working on her album in 1998, but with the change in the trends in music, the project was delayed. "I had to make sure that the songs on it were current, something that people could easily identify with," she explained.

In the past she has collaborated with Snoop Dogg and the late Tupak Shakur. "That showed how versatile I was as a recording artiste," she said.

"Based on a True Story" is like a chapter in the life of the singer, as every song is a reflection of her. "The reason I call it "Based on a True Story" is because it’s all my life. Hopefully there is a chapter there that everyone can relate to, that people can keep going back to," she said.

The album contains 15 tracks, some of which were co-written by Lil Mo. "Time After Time," is a remake of the Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 #1 hit, and "Superwoman", "She’d Never Be Me" and "More Than You Know" are among the bright moments on the album.

Asked why she chose to do a remake of the Lauper hit, Lil Mo said "That song means a lot to me. It’s all about me. No matter how big you are, no matter how far I go, no matter what, I will still have love inside of me."

There is a lot in store on the album. The singer’s soaring vocal chords will ignite instant interest once you pop the disc in your CD player. With soul and clarity, each song is deliciously brewed and produced under a kaleidoscope of lush instrumentation.

"You can expect all Lil Mo on the album. Just being ghetto. It’s stuff that I have been through. Carl Thomas, Naam and Fabulous are featured on it," she said.

Shep Crawford and Montell Jordan, the Flavahood production team of Suga Mike and Big Baby guided the recording of the album, which also features Jamal on "Supa Star."

With a growing fan base, which consists mainly of teenagers and young adults, Lil Mo is presently racing up the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks charts with her latest single "Superwoman." The single debuted at #68 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at last check, had moved from #24 to #18 in its seventh week on the R&B chart.

Lil Mo who grew up on Long Island, New York is of Guyanese parentage. She always dreamt of being a star, and as such she entered numerous talent contests.

Her stylist is Jamaican and she has been around numerous Caribbean nationals to understand the different cultures. "In meeting different persons, different cultures come across in all I do. Even in the way that I dance." She has been to Jamaica before, just a year ago when she performed on Power 99 FM’s beach jam at Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay.

Lil Mo says she wants to get into acting. She wants to do a movie and maybe her very own talk show. " I have a lot of things in the pipeline, but I don’t want to talk about them until they materialize," she said.

As for reggae artistes, Beenie Man is tops on her list. "I wanted to have Beenie Man on my album, but Mya beat me to it. I also like Barrington Levy. I loved Super Cat to death," she added.

Lil Mo signed with Elektra Records in 1998. She says she is a bit overwhelmed by all that has happened as far as her career is concerned. "I heard of people who have slept their way to the top and some who have done drugs to get where they want to. Fortunately, that never happened to me," she said.

In just a few years, Lil Mo has indeed delivered songs for the music world’s top superstars, making guest spots on coveted albums even touring with Missy Elliott on 1998’s historic Lilith Tour. Now poised to drop one of the most anticipated R&B albums of the year, Lil Mo seems to be taking it all in stride.

"Sometimes I can’t believe that people are checking for me. But I am ready. It seems every experience has groomed me for this moment," she said. "It’s my turn to shine."

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Kevin Jackson is an entertainment writer and publicist from Kingston, Jamaica. He is a freelance writer for the Jamaica Observer and Excess publications.