Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9, 1987) is an American rapper, singer
and actor and occasional Record Producer.
Bow Wow made his first movie appearance in All About the Benjamins,
in 2002 as a cameo. In the same year, Bow Wow made his debut as the
lead role in, Like Mike. He later began to undertake lead roles in
movies such as, Johnson Family Vacation in 2004, and Roll Bounce,
in 2005. He was also played as a supporting role in the film, The
Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006. Bow Wow also appeared
in an episode of the television series, Entourage.
Bow Wow's full name is Shad Gregory Moss born to Teresa Caldwell
and Alfonso Moss. His family supported him through his choice of
music as a career[1] At age three, he became interested in rap. Under
the moniker "Kid Gangsta", he began rapping recreationally
at age six; he was also a fan of N.W.A at that age.[2] In 1993, he
performed at a concert in Los Angeles, and was noticed by rapper
Snoop Dogg, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Bow Wow".[3]
He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia, along with his mother, who owns
a clothing store in the Atlantic Station area of Atlanta, named "Taste".[4]
Beware of Dog (1998-2001)
In 1998, at the age of eleven, Bow Wow met record producer Jermaine
Dupri, who helped shape his career. At the age of 13, in 2000 he
debuted with Beware of Dog under the stage name Lil' Bow Wow. Its
debut single was "Bounce With Me", which featured girl
group Xscape. The album also included "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" featuring
Snoop Dogg, which topped the rap chart,[5] "Puppy Love",
and "Ghetto Girls". The soundtrack to the movie Wild Wild
West featured his song "The Stick Up" with his mentor Jermaine
Dupri. The Recording Industry Association of America certified Beware
of Dog double platinum on March 5, 2001, signifying sales of two
million copies.[6] In a 2009 interview, the rapper claimed that the
album had sold over 3 million copies since its release.[7]
Doggy Bag, Like Mike OST & Name Change (2002)
In 2002, his second album Doggy Bag was released with singles "Take
Ya Home" which peaked at #1 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot
R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and "Thank You" with Jagged
Edge), #1 on the R&B chart.[5] Doggy Bag peaked at #11 on the
Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart[8] and
was certified platinum.[6] Lil' Bow Wow performed the track "Basketball" for
the soundtrack of his film Like Mike; that song peaked at #1 on the
R&B and #25 on the rap chart.[5] Bow Wow dropped the "Lil" from
his stage name in April 2002; he told MTV News: "I changed my
name because I'm getting older now and it's too many Lil's."[9]
Unleashed (2003-2004)
The first album released under his new moniker was Unleashed in
2003. Its first single was "Let's Get Down," featuring
Birdman, the founder of Cash Money Records, which reached #14 on
the Hot 100 and #6 on the Hot Rap Tracks charts. The second single
was then released, "My Baby", featuring Jagged Edge. Unlike
his previous albums, this one was not produced under the mentorship
of Jermaine Dupri.[10] Guest appearances include Jagged Edge, Birdman,
Mario, and Amerie.[10] Unleashed was certified gold on september25,
2003.[6] Bow Wow appeared on the remix of JoJo's single "Baby
It's You" in 2004
Wanted (2005)
Wanted was released in 2005. Its first single was "Let Me Hold
You", featuring Omarion, and peaked at #1 on the rap chart and
#4 on the Hot 100. The next single, "Like You", featuring
Ciara, coincided with the beginning of Bow Wow's relationship with
the singer.[11] "Fresh Azimiz", featured J-Kwon and Jermaine
Dupri, followed and peaked at #23 on the Hot 100 and #6 on the Hot
Rap Tracks chart.[5] The album was certified platinum.[6] He also
appeared on the remix of Dem Franchize Boyz' "I Think They Like
Me", which peaked at #15 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Hot Rap
Tracks. Bow Wow ended his relationship with Ciara in 2006.[12]
The Price of Fame & Face Off (2006-2007)
In 2006, The Price of Fame was released with the lead single "Shortie
Like Mine", featuring Chris Brown, peaking at #9 on the Hot
100 and #1 on the Hot Rap Tracks.[5] "Outta My System",
which featured T-Pain, reflected on Bow Wow's break-up with Ciara.[13]
It peaked at #22 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Rap chart.[5] The Price
of Fame was certified gold.[6] Bow Wow and Omarion released a collaborative
album on December 11, 2007, Face Off. The first single was "Girlfriend",
which peaked at #33 on the Hot 100. The second single was "Hey
Baby (Jump Off)".[5]
New Jack City Part II (2008-2009)
In October 2008, for the U.S. presidential election, Bow Wow led
a 15-city "Walk Across America" event to register new voters.[14]
He released a mixtape title Half Man, Half Dog Vol. 1 that year.
Half Man, Half Dog Vol. 2 was released as a sequel to the mixtape
in February 2009.[15] New Jack City II, his sixth album, was released
in March 2009 and his first album to include a Parental Advisory:
Steven Roberts of MTV News observed that this album explored "the
influence of crack cocaine in inner-city communities" and featured
such guests as T.I.[16] Three promo singles were released in late
2008: "Marco Polo" featuring Soulja Boy, "Big Girls",
and "Roc The Mic". The first official single, "You
Can Get It All" featuring Johnta Austin, samples TLC's "Baby-Baby-Baby" and
peaked at #55 on the Hot 100 and #9 on the Hot Rap Tracks.[5] On
July 4, 2009 his new song "I Know I'm The Sh**" off his
DJ Drama hosted Mixtape he makes a reference of him working on his
new album Underrated and it is already in production. On August 16,
Bow Wow announced his signing to Cash Money Records, joining an all-star
roster that already includes Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne and Birdman,
among others.
Underrated (2011)
Bow Wow signed to Cash Money Records in 2009,[17] and his next album
Underrated will be released in early 2011. The first promo single
being "For My Hood" featuring DJ Khaled & Sean Kingston.[18]
On November 1, 2010 Bow Wow released his first single from the album
entitled "Aint Thinkin' Bout You" which featured Chris
Brown. The music video was a success on 106 and Park and made the
countdown in just 1 day. Two weeks later it peaked number 1 on the
chart and remained number 1 for 3 days.
Film career
Bow Wow has had guest appearances on Brandy's TV sitcom, Moesha,
as well as The Steve Harvey Show. He made his major acting debut
in the film Like Mike which was released on July 3, 2002, in which
he starred as a young orphan who gets a shot at playing in the NBA.
Before Like Mike he made a cameos in All About The Benjamins, and
in "Carmen: A Hip Hopera". Bow Wow also co-starred with
Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams, and Solange Knowles
in Johnson Family Vacation. Since the success of Like Mike, Bow Wow
has starred in several Hollywood films, including Roll Bounce, The
Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Hurricane Season.[19] . He
has also made guest appearances on Smallville and Ugly Betty. He
joined the cast for HBO's fifth season of Entourage as Charlie an
up and coming comedian and Eric Murphy's newest client. He starred
in a 2010 comedy film, Lottery Ticket, with Ice Cube.[20] He Is currently
working on a documentary on his life entitled Who Is Shad Moss? Bow
Wow stated that the documentary goes all the way back when he was
on Death Row Records he said it will be released in early 2011.[1]
Bow Wow has confirmed he will be in the film version of Madea's Big
Happy Family.
Discography
Main article: Bow Wow discography
* Beware of Dog (2000)
* Doggy Bag (2001)
* Unleashed (2003)
* Wanted (2005)
* The Price of Fame (2006)
* New Jack City II (2009)
* Underrated (2011)
Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Carmen: A Hip Hopera Jalil Supporting role
2002 All About the Benjamins Kelly Cameo
Like Mike Calvin Cambridge Lead role
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Divirnius James "D.J." Johnson
Lead role
2005 Roll Bounce Xavier "X" Smith Lead role
2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Twinkie Supporting role
2009 Hurricane Season Gary Davis Supporting role
2010 Lottery Ticket Kevin Carson Lead role
2011 Who Is Shad Moss? Himself Biography
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2001 Moesha Ray Episode That's My Mama
2006 Smallville Baern Episode "Fallout"
2008 Ugly Betty Himself Episode "Zero Worship"
Entourage Charlie Recurring role