Bow Wow

At merely thirteen years old, Bow Wow launched his recording career with the double-platinum Top Ten album Beware of Dog in 2000. Although matching that initial breakthrough proved difficult in the years ahead, he displayed steady determination, developing both as a performer and an adult while issuing a sequence of albums that attained uneven commercial results. Outside music he secured ongoing film work, beginning with Like Mike in 2002, for which he supplied a soundtrack contribution. Later screen roles took in Johnson Family Vacation in 2004, Roll Bounce in 2005, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006.

Shad Gregory Moss was born on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, OH. He first recorded under the name Lil Bow Wow, a handle acquired during a brief stint with Death Row Records while it housed Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. A more rewarding association followed with Jermaine Dupri and the So So Def label. Under Dupri—who had already steered Kris Kross and Da Brat to mainstream attention—alongside songwriter and producer Bryan-Michael Cox, the young rapper readied himself for wider recognition.

His debut single, “Bounce with Me,” appeared in summer 2000 on the soundtrack to the Martin Lawrence film Big Momma’s House. Featuring So So Def R&B group Xscape, the track reached the Top 20 in both the U.S. and U.K. and topped the domestic R&B and rap singles charts. The accompanying album Beware of Dog also proved a strong seller, moving more than two and a half million copies, helped by the follow-up “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” with Snoop Dogg plus later singles “Puppy Love” and “Ghetto Girls.”

Doggy Bag, his second album, arrived in 2002 and peaked at number six on Billboard’s album chart before earning platinum certification. It contained “Thank You,” built around a sample of the Cars’ 1981 hit “I’m Not the One,” and “Take Ya Home,” produced by the Neptunes during their peak period.

Bow Wow parted ways with Jermaine Dupri for his third project, Unleashed, released by Columbia in 2003. The set climbed to number three on the album chart yet fell short of one million copies sold overall. Still, it yielded charting singles “Let’s Get Down” featuring Birdman and “My Baby” featuring Jagged Edge, along with further production from the Neptunes.

Dupri resumed an executive role for Wanted in 2005, restoring commercial momentum. The album reached number three and achieved platinum status, driven by the Top Five singles “Let Me Hold You” with Omarion and “Like You” with Ciara, to whom Bow Wow was briefly linked romantically.

Further hits arrived with The Price of Fame in 2006, which included “Shortie Like Mine” featuring Chris Brown, “Outta My System” featuring T-Pain, and “I’m a Flirt” featuring R. Kelly. For Face Off in 2007 he teamed with R&B artist and touring companion Omarion. The mixtapes The Half Man, Half Dog, Vol. 1 in 2008 and Vol. 2 in 2009 preceded the album New Jack City II in 2009. His 2012 release Underrated appeared on Birdman’s Cash Money label and featured labelmate Lil Wayne on the lead single “Sweat.”