Exclusively Interviewed by London Summers
London Summers connects with R&B legend and certified It Girl, Lil Mo, for an unforgettable conversation, about legacy, evolution, and staying power. From her breakout collaborations with Missy Elliott and Fabolous to sharing the stage with icons like 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Busta Rhymes on the legendary Roc the Mic Tour.
Hype Hair: Lil Mo! It’s a huge pleasure to connect with you, you’ve been the IT girl in the game and continue to set trends. What made you choose a career in music?
Lil Mo: Thank you for having me. I believe my music career actually chose me. Because I wanted to be a lawyer and in the Marines part time. Don’t ask me why lol BUT for some reason at the age of 5 I said I was going to be a singer, a superstar.
HH: What were some career challenges you overcame, and who was there with you as your biggest supporter through it all?
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Lil Mo: All of them! Too many to name. However, I overcome every challenge and every test. By the grace and mercy of GOD. I can’t give anyone credit but GOD and my family. You name I’ve been through it. Got the t shirt. Early on in the game I was excited to just sing. I didn’t know the business. Boy, did I learn. HELLO!
HH: My favorite hairstyle of yours was the flips with the blue highlights that matched the blue Cadillac Escalade in the “4Ever” video featuring Fabolous, such an iconic look! Was that your idea or the hairstylist’s?
Lil Mo: It was a collab between us both. At that time Kalixto Blount was styling my hair. I couldn’t get braids due to my forehead stitches when I was assaulted. So for years I wore wigs, sew ins, etc to hide my scar. I had the ombré blue braids. So we just decided to keep the blue and add to that style. We did numbers!!!
HH: What hairstyles are you rocking now that make you feel the most confident?
Lil Mo: Buss down 40 inch jet black. Or I’m back to knotless braids. That’s my signature. Lil Mo with the cornrows hits different. I can get braids now because we add an edge frontal so no tension is in the one sensitive area. I still have trauma in that area.
HH: Can you tell us about your best touring experience and what made it unforgettable?
Lil Mo: Roc the Mic tour 2005, I was the only r&b singer on it with Jay-Z. 50 cent. BUSTA Rhymes. Missy Elliott and Fabolous. That was an era!!! Now I’m touring the world with Katt Williams. He’s really the GOAT. I’m the only r&b singer on this tour. All arenas in the US, sharing the stage with Katt. Mark Curry. Tommy Davidson. Red Grant. Lady of Rage. It’s the best ever. We get to laugh. Have fun all year. What a blessing.
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HH: Who is your favorite collaborator that you’ve always enjoyed working with, and why?
Lil Mo: Favorite collab I would say Missy and Ty Dolla. I love how we can just be chillin, laughing joking and literally be recording hit records in between. My A1, Day 1s.
HH: The industry has changed so much since the early 2000s. What advice would you give to upcoming female artists trying to navigate the music business today?
Lil Mo: No shade, if the girls will listen I will say learn the business and find someone you trust and keep them. Because it is literally no way to get around what you will go through. People steal. Lie. Manipulate. Try to be the star and become you and social media got people losing their minds wanting to be famous. Stay strong build a team and don’t let none of these people dig in your cookie jar!!! PERIODT.
HH: And finally, what’s next for Lil Mo? Any new projects, tours, or ventures your fans should be excited about?
Lil Mo: Yes. Kickin off 2026 on The Golden Age tour this is my 4th tour with Dr. Katt Williams. Going to step it up a notch. I have a LBB line dropping (LITTLE BOOTY BOSS) it’s a movement to show that you matter no matter your booty size or type. That BBL wave ran its course. We lost a lot of people due to it. LBB is an empowering movement to many women that suffer with self esteem and body issues. I’m trying to help women heal. If I can. Then I pray God keeps sending them my way. My son Sizz album. And enjoying life and being a GRANDMOTHER. I’m an old lady that don’t age. I love it here.
Lil Mo’s voice has been a defining force in R&B and hip-hop for over two decades. Now, while rocking stages on tour with Katt Williams, she reflects on the highs, the hustle, and the hairstyles that made her an era-defining queen still inspiring new generations to this day.
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