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"Superwoman Pt. II"
Single by Lil' Mo featuring Fabolous
from the album Based on a True Story
ReleasedMarch 6, 2001 [1]
RecordedEnterprise Studios
( North Hollywood, CA)
Genre
Length4:26
Label Elektra/ WEA
Songwriter(s)C. Loving, J. Jackson, E. Shaw, K. Ifill
Producer(s) DJ Clue, Duro
Lil' Mo singles chronology
" Put It on Me"
(2000) 		"Superwoman Pt. II"
(2001) 		" I Cry"
(2001)
Fabolous singles chronology
"Superwoman Pt. II"
(2001) 		" Can't Deny It"
(2001)

"Superwoman Pt. II" is a song by American recording artist Lil' Mo from her debut album, Based on a True Story (2001). The song features the debut appearance by then-unknown Fabolous and remixed production by hip-hop producers DJ Clue and Ken "Duro" Ifill. To date, "Superwoman Pt. II" remains as Lil' Mo's most successful single to date as a leading artist.

Background and meaning

Originally, the song was released as the Brian Michael Cox–produced "Superwoman, Pt. I" in February 2001 to generally mixed reviews. [2] However, because the "Pt. 1" version failed to attain successful radio airplay, Elektra Records had no other choice but to push Lil' Mo's debut album back to a later release in 2001. [3] Upset, Lil' Mo tried to convince Elektra that "Superwoman" would be a smash hit; to prove it, Mo contacted DJ Clue to remix the "Superwoman" track with a beat that he was holding for rap duo M.O.P. [3] At first Clue was not in support of the idea, but when he loved the results, he premiered it on New York City's Hot 97 radio show. [3] Following its premiere, the song began to circulate on numerous mixtapes and began to chart on Billboard; however because Billboard prohibited remixes from charting, Mo had to convince Elektra to re-release the single in an alternate title, now famously known as "Superwoman, Pt. II." [3]

When interviewed on the song's meaning, Lil' Mo identified the song as being an "anti-chicken head" anthem, [4] and explained that the concept behind it was to inform guys that she was independent, but at the same time, needed "that shoulder to lean on." [5]

Recording and composition

During a two-hour studio session, Lil' Mo recorded the "Superwoman" vocals at Enterprise Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angeles. [6] [7] Additionally, Mo had to beatbox the infamous stuttering "da-da-da-da-da" beat to her production team since they were not understanding her vision. [7] Since she was in Los Angeles, Mo had a deadline to transfer her vocals via a CD to give to DJ Clue at a New York airline. [7]

Within that deadline, a relative of Mo's requested her to feature "the mixtape rapper who spells his name," unquestionably known as Fabolous. [8] Mo would then contact Clue to see if it was possible to feature the rapper, and within a three-day span, Clue added the rapper to the record. Fabolous at the time was shocked of Lil' Mo's decision to feature him since Mo had worked with other well-known rappers like Jay-Z and Ja Rule. [9]

While the original 'Part 1' version featured a mid-tempo sample of Graham Nash's 1970 record " Chicago," [2] [6] the 'Part 2' version was set in the key of F-sharp minor and featured a "crazy beat" backed up by a heavy bass. [1]

Music video

A music video for the single was directed by Chris Robinson and premiered in early March 2001. [10] It begins with Lil' Mo dancing to the song's beat in the dark with glowing blue lights, while Fabolous begins rapping his first verse in a diner. The video then cuts to Lil' Mo working as a waitress in the diner where she spots her love interest (portrayed by Jensen Atwood) exiting to attend a county fair. Mo is later seen exiting the diner and saving a civilian from a purse robbery. The latter of the video then shows Mo in her infamous blue braids while playing at a bowling alley to gain the affection of her love interest.

Track listings and formats

European CD single [6]
  1. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Soul Society Remix) (featuring Fabolous) — 4:02
  2. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Amended Version without Rap) — 3:23
  3. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Album Version w/ Rap) (featuring Fabolous) — 4:26
  4. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Amended Version) — 3:54
UK CD single [11]
  1. "Superwoman" (Amended Version - No Rap) — 3:28
  2. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Remix) (Amended Version with Rap) (Edit) (featuring Fabolous) — 4:00
  3. "Superwoman Pt. II" (Remix) (Instrumental) — 4:23
US 12" vinyl [12]
  1. "Superwoman" (Album Version)
  2. "Superwoman" (Instrumental)
  3. "Superwoman" (Acapella)
  4. "Superwoman Pt. II Remix" (Album Version w/ Rap) (featuring Fabolous)
  5. "Superwoman Pt. II Remix" (Instrumental)
  6. "Superwoman Pt. II Remix" (Acappella)
US CD single [13]
  1. "Superwoman Part I" (Amended Version w/ Rap) — 3:58
  2. "Superwoman" (Instrumental) — 3:55
  3. "Superwoman Part II" (Amended Version w/ Rap) (featuring Fabolous) — 4:29
  4. "Superwoman" (Instrumental) — 4:23

Charts

References

  1. ^ a b "Superwoman / Superwoman Pt.2: Lil Mo". Amazon. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Chuck. "Reviews & Previews: Singles > R&B." Billboard. February 17, 2001: 22. Print.
  3. ^ a b c d Seymour, Craig. "Shorty Hard Rock." Vibe. August 2001: 127. Print.
  4. ^ Seymour, Craig. "Revolutions > Check the Résumé." Vibe. May 2001: 168. Print.
  5. ^ Walker, Curtis. "Lil' Mo: Moment of Truth > Page 2". MTV Music. MTV.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c "Lil' Mo - Superwoman PT. II (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c "LIL MO DOESNT HAVE A ANSWER WHY FABOLOUS WONT DO A SONG WITH HER?". Superstar Radio. YouTube.com. April 14, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Lil' Mo & Fabolous Sessions at AOL (Interview)". AOL.co.uk. Retrieved June 12, 2013. [ dead link]
  9. ^ Reid, Shaheem (February 19, 2003). "Fabolous Molds New ' R. Kelly,' Credits Mixtape For Bringing Him, Lil' Mo Together". MTV News. MTV.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  10. ^ "Lil' Mo - "Superwoman"". mvdbase.com. Archived from the original on 2005-12-25. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  11. ^ "Lil' Mo - Superwoman (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  12. ^ "Lil' Mo - Superwoman (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  13. ^ "Lil' Mo - Superwoman Part I & II (CD) at Discogs". Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  14. ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  15. ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  16. ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  17. ^ "Lil' Mo Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  18. ^ "Billboard Top 100 Songs of 2001 - Year End Charts". bobborst.com. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "2001 The Year in Music". Billboard. Vol. 113, no. 52. December 29, 2001. p. YE-44. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
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