Editing Lil' Mo (section)

==Career==
===Beginnings (1996–2000)===
Mo began her career as a backing vocalist, session musician and songwriter. In early 1998, while submitting demo material to [[Elektra Records]] for [[Nicole Wray]]'s 1998 debut album, ''[[Make It Hot]]'', Mo caught the attention of [[Missy Elliott]],<ref name="skorpion">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WziTxdzQ4_Q&feature=player_detailpage&t=445 |title=The Skorpion Show Interviews Lil' Mo |date=May 6, 2012 |website=The Skorpion Show |publisher=YouTube |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017093709/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WziTxdzQ4_Q&feature=player_detailpage&t=445 |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> who helped land her a contract deal with Elektra. On June 29, 1998, Mo released her debut single "[[5 Minutes (Lil' Mo song)|5 Minutes]]" from the ''[[Why Do Fools Fall in Love (soundtrack)|soundtrack]]'' for the [[Frankie Lymon]] biographical film ''[[Why Do Fools Fall in Love (film)|Why Do Fools Fall in Love]]''. The song was planned to appear on Mo's debut album, however when it underperformed in the US, it was pulled from the final track listing. Mo's debut album was originally set to be released in March 1999,<ref name="spin">{{Citation |last=Seymour |first=Craig |title=Most Likely to Have a Celebrity Death-Match with Lil' Kim: Lil' Mo |date=February 1999 |work=[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]] |volume=15 |issue=2 |page=83 |issn=0886-3032}}</ref> however, it was pushed back multiple times during Elektra's attempts to revamp Mo's image and sound.<ref>{{Citation |last=Seymour |first=Craig |title=Shorty Hard Rock |date=August 2001 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |volume=9 |issue=8 |page=127 |issn=1070-4701}}</ref>

Mo gained further exposure during this time for her features on [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]]'s cover of [[Billie Holiday]]'s "[[Good Morning Heartache]]", Missy Elliott's record-breaking single "[[Hot Boyz (song)|Hot Boyz]]", which spent 18 weeks at number one on the [[Hot Rap Songs|Hot Rap Singles]] from December 4, 1999, to March 25, 2000, and [[Ja Rule]]'s single "[[Put It on Me (Ja Rule song)|Put It on Me]]", which was a hit on both urban and pop radio, and reached number eight on the US pop charts.<ref name="allmusic"/> More collaborations by Ja Rule and Lil' Mo followed, including "[[I Cry (Ja Rule song)|I Cry]]", which repurposed [[The O'Jays]]' 1978 hit "Cry Together".

===Breakthrough, ''Based on a True Story'' (2001)===
On April 10, 2000, Mo released "[[Ta Da]]", her first solo single. After years of successful collaborations and features, Mo would finally release a successful hit of her own, "[[Superwoman Pt. II]]", her second single from her upcoming album. The single was released on March 6, 2001, and peaked at No. 11 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], helping bring then-underground rapper [[Fabolous]] to mainstream attention.<ref name="allmusic"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470034/fabolous-molds-new-r-kelly.jhtml |title=Fabolous Molds New ' R. Kelly,' Credits Mixtape For Bringing Him, Lil' Mo Together |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |date=February 19, 2003 |website=[[MTV News]] |publisher=MTV.com |access-date=June 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024041023/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1470034/fabolous-molds-new-r-kelly.jhtml |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On June 26, 2001, Mo's debut album, ''[[Based on a True Story (Lil' Mo album)|Based on a True Story]]'' was released to generally favorable reviews. The album peaked at No. 14 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and attained a gold certification from the [[RIAA]], making it Mo's successful album to date. In August 2001, Mo released the follow-up single "[[Gangsta (Love 4 the Streets)]]", however, it failed to match the success of its predecessor.<ref name="allmusic">{{Cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lil-mo-mn0000231397/awards |title=Lil' Mo  |website=[[AllMusic]] |publisher=[[Rovi Corporation]] |access-date=January 18, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017093709/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lil-mo-mn0000231397/awards |archive-date=October 17, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===''Meet the Girl Next Door'', career struggles (2002–05)===
[[File:LilMoOct05.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|Loving in 2005.]]
While recovering from being assaulted with a champagne bottle after a performance in San Francisco, Mo began her radio career, working as a part-time anchor for [[Baltimore]] urban radio station [[WQSR|WERQ-FM]].<ref name="billboard">{{Citation |last=Lorez |first=Jeff |title=From 'Superwoman' to 'Girl Next Door' |date=April 5, 2003 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=115 |issue=14 |page=17 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> That same year, Mo began preparations for her second album, ''[[Meet the Girl Next Door]]''. The album was released on April 29, 2003, preceded by the singles "[[4Ever (Lil' Mo song)|4Ever]]" and "[[Ten Commandments (song)|Ten Commandments]]".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458999/lil-mo-works-on-her-second-album.jhtml |title=Lil' Mo Nabs A Fellow Lil' And Fabolous For ''The Girl Next Door'' |last=Moss |first=Corey |date=December 5, 2002 |website=[[MTV News]] |publisher=MTV.com |access-date=May 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202181037/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458999/lil-mo-works-on-her-second-album.jhtml |archive-date=February 2, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> While Mo promoted the singles on shows such as ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]'' and ''[[Soul Train]]'',<ref name="billboard" /> she would later criticise Elektra for their lack of support and minimal promotion for the album, which she attributed to being pregnant at the time.<ref name="rnbdirt">{{Cite web |url=http://rnbdirt.com/lil-mo-wants-to-ask-you-why/6816/ |title=Lil' Mo Wants To Ask You 'Why' |date=July 24, 2004 |publisher=rnbdirt.com |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201213345/http://rnbdirt.com/lil-mo-wants-to-ask-you-why/6816/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mo's contract with Elektra expired as the label was absorbed by [[Atlantic Records]], and in July 2004, she signed Universal's [[Cash Money Records]] to record her third album, then titled ''Syndicated: the Lil' Mo Hour''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rapbasement.com/cash-money/lil-mo-signs-to-cash-money.html |title=Lil Mo Signs to Cash Money |date=July 27, 2004 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101035138/http://www.rapbasement.com/cash-money/lil-mo-signs-to-cash-money.html |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Mitchell |first=Gail |title=Lil' Mo in Cash Money Till |date=July 17, 2004 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=116 |issue=29 |page=20 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The album was scheduled for an early 2005 release, before being pushed back to October, after its four singles (including "[[Hot Girls]]" and "[[Dem Boyz (Lil' Mo song)|Dem Boyz]]") failed to create any buzz. Following the destruction of Cash Money's New Orleans studio by [[Hurricane Katrina]],<ref name="billboard2" /> Mo was dropped from the Cash Money roster and ''Syndicated'' was shelved.<ref name="billboard2">{{Citation |last=Gail |first=Mitchell |title=Through the Storm |date=September 1, 2007 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |volume=119 |issue=35 |pages=52–53 |issn=0006-2510}}</ref>

===Independent releases, ''Pain and Paper'', ''P.S. I Love Me'' (2006–12)===
Mo began releasing singles as an independent artist under her production company HoneyChild Entertainment, which was first founded by Mo in 2000.<ref>{{Citation |last=Duncan |first=Andréa |title=Songs in the Key of Life > Lil' Mo |date=March 2000 |work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=159 |issn=1070-4701}}</ref> On August 28, 2007, Mo released the album ''Pain & Paper'', distributed by [[Koch Entertainment]] and DrakeWeb Music Group and selling only 6000 copies.<ref name="billboard2" /> Its singles, "Sumtimes I", featuring [[Jim Jones (rapper)|Jim Jones]], and "Lucky Her" failed to chart.

In 2008, Mo signed a two-album deal with [[Global Music Group]] and began work her fourth album, tentatively titled ''Tattoos & Roses: The Rebellion Against My Pain''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://singersroom.com/content/2008-11-14/RB-Singer-Lil-Mo-Reclaims-Limelight-with-New-Deal/ |title=R&B Singer Lil' Mo Reclaims Limelight with New Deal |date=November 14, 2008 |publisher=Singersroom.com |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201181603/http://singersroom.com/content/2008-11-14/RB-Singer-Lil-Mo-Reclaims-Limelight-with-New-Deal/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album was initially planned to include a second disc featuring Mo's live performances, however this was eventually scrapped. On May 8, 2011, Mo released the mixtape ''P.S. I Love You''. On November 1, 2011, Mo released ''[[P.S. I Love Me]]'' in conjunction with Bronx Bridge Entertainment and distributed by [[Fontana Distribution]]. The album was preceded by the singles "On the Floor", "I Love Me", featuring [[Tweet (singer)|Tweet]], and "Take Me Away", featuring [[Maino (rapper)|Maino]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-arts/2011/04/l-il-mo-on-her-new-album-her-theater-experience-and-life-after-radio-10530.html |title=Lil' Mo on her new album, her theater experience, and life after radio |last=Godfrey |first=Sarah |date=April 28, 2011 |website=TBD Arts: Inside D.C. entertainment |publisher=TBD.com |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509205422/http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-arts/2011/04/l-il-mo-on-her-new-album-her-theater-experience-and-life-after-radio-10530.html |archive-date=May 9, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://singersroom.com/content/2011-09-28/Lil-Mo-Return-with-Tweet-for-PS-I-Love-Me/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Lil Mo Talks Tweet Collaboration, PS I Love Me, More |date=September 28, 2011 |publisher=Singersroom.com |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201181559/http://singersroom.com/content/2011-09-28/Lil-Mo-Return-with-Tweet-for-PS-I-Love-Me/ |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Television career, ''The Scarlet Letter'', retirement (2013–present)===
In 2013, Mo became a cast member of the reality television series ''[[R&B Divas: Los Angeles]]'', which premiered on [[TV One (US TV network)|TV One]] on July 10, 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tvone.tv/shows/randb-divas/inside-the-show/r-and-b-divas-la-announces-cast.html |title=R&B Divas: LA Announces Cast |date=April 5, 2013 |publisher=[[TV One (US TV network)|tvOne.net]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153601/http://tvone.tv/shows/randb-divas/inside-the-show/r-and-b-divas-la-announces-cast.html |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=January 16, 2014}}</ref> The season's reunion special garnered a total of 834,000 viewers, tying with the debut of the sitcom ''[[The Rickey Smiley Show]]'' as the network's No. 1 telecast among adults 25–54 in [[TV One (US TV network)|TV One]] history.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/09/06/tv-ones-rb-divas-la-reunion-part-1-is-the-networks-most-watched-telecast-of-all-time/201380/ |title=TV One's 'R&B Divas: LA Reunion Part 1' is the Network's Most Watched Telecast of All Time |last=Bibel |first=Sara |date=September 6, 2013 |website=TVbytheNumbers |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224061835/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2013/09/06/tv-ones-rb-divas-la-reunion-part-1-is-the-networks-most-watched-telecast-of-all-time/201380/ |archive-date=December 24, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 10, 2013, Lil' Mo released the song "I'm a Diva" via [[iTunes]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/im-a-diva-single/690805486 |title=I'm a Diva – Single by Lil' Mo |date=September 10, 2013 |website=[[iTunes]] |publisher=[[Apple.com]] |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028113759/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/im-a-diva-single/id690805486 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another non-album single, "L's Up", was released the following week.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/ls-up-single/706433155 |title=L's Up – Single by Lil' Mo |date=September 17, 2013 |website=[[iTunes]] |publisher=[[Apple.com]] |access-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028115403/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ls-up-single/id706433155 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 28, 2014, Mo released her fifth album, ''[[The Scarlet Letter (album)|The Scarlet Letter]]'', under [[Penalty Recordings|Penalthy Entertainment]].<ref name="ykigs2">{{Cite web |url=http://youknowigotsoul.com/lil-mo-signs-new-label-deal-new-album-scarlet-letter-release-august |title=Lil' Mo Signs New Label Deal, New Album 'The SCARlet Letter' to Release in August |date=April 24, 2014 |publisher=YouKnowIGotSoul.com |access-date=May 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507034137/http://youknowigotsoul.com/lil-mo-signs-new-label-deal-new-album-scarlet-letter-release-august |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=502307013926617090 |user=THELILMOSHOW |title=the scarlet letter album will be available Oct 28!! the song i sang "just not that into you" on #rbdivasla will be featured on there as well |author=LIL' MO |date=August 21, 2014}}</ref> The album was preceded by the single "Should've Never Let You Go", as well as her second mixtape ''No Shit Sherlock'', which featured contributions by [[Da Brat]] and songwriter Tiyon "TC" Mack.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.centrictv.com/music/articles/2014/04/18/lil-mo-drops-no-shit-sherlock-rap-mixtape.html |title=Lil Mo Drops 'No Sh*t Sherlock' Mixtape |last=Joseph |first=Justin Dwayne |date=April 18, 2014 |publisher=[[BET Her|CentricTV.com]] |access-date=April 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507080624/http://www.centrictv.com/music/articles/2014/04/18/lil-mo-drops-no-shit-sherlock-rap-mixtape.html |archive-date=May 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 29, 2015, ''[[R&B Divas: Los Angeles]]'' ended after its third season.

In January 2016, Mo began hosting the WKYS radio show ''The Fam in the Morning'' with DJ Quick Silva. She was fired from the show in February 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thejasminebrand.com/2017/02/03/exclusive-lil-mo-was-not-fired-over-spike-leechrisette-michele-controversy-she-speaks-out/ |title=(EXCLUSIVE) Lil Mo Was NOT Fired Over Spike Lee/Chrisette Michele Controversy, She Speaks Out |date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101035134/https://thejasminebrand.com/2017/02/03/exclusive-lil-mo-was-not-fired-over-spike-leechrisette-michele-controversy-she-speaks-out/ |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year, Mo joined the cast of [[VH1]]'s ''[[Love & Hip Hop: New York]]'' and appeared in an episode of ''Couples Court with the Cutlers''. She would also appear in [[We TV]]'s ''[[Marriage Boot Camp|Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars 12 — Hip Hop Edition]]''.

On October 25, 2018, Mo announced her retirement from the music industry to pursue a career in law.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://thejasminebrand.com/2018/10/25/lil-mo-leaving-music-industry-to-be-a-lawyer-im-about-to-be-somebodys-lit-a-attorney/ |title=Lil Mo Leaving Music Industry To Be A Lawyer: "I'm about to be somebody's lit a** attorney!" |date=October 25, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101035137/https://thejasminebrand.com/2018/10/25/lil-mo-leaving-music-industry-to-be-a-lawyer-im-about-to-be-somebodys-lit-a-attorney/ |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>