"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 Burbank, California.[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.
