Bow Wow

Fun Fact: At age five, he started his career in rap using the moniker "Kid Gangsta". One year later, in 1993, he performed at a Chronic tour in Columbus, and was noted by rapper Snoop Dogg and rapper Dr. Dre, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow". Dr. Dre later hired him as an opening act, officially gaining him a spot on the Death Row Records roster. "Lil' Bow Wow" then appeared on a skit on Snoop's debut Doggystyle.

Claim to Fame: In 1998 at the age of eleven, Bow Wow was introduced to record producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped shape his career.

Shad Gregory Moss is an American rapper and actor. He released his debut album Beware of Dog at age 13, then under the stage name Lil' Bow Wow, which he carried until his 2003 album Unleashed, under simply Bow Wow. Three more albums followed, Wanted in 2005, The Price of Fame in 2006 and New Jack City II in 2009. In 2007, he released the collaboration album Face Off with Omarion.


Bow Wow was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Teresa Caldwell and Alfonso Moss. At age three, he became interested in music. Under the moniker "Kid Gangsta", he began rapping recreationally at age six; he was also a fan of N.W.A at that age. One year later, 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". Dr. Dre signed Bow Wow to Death Row Records.



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 "Bounce With Me", which featured girl group Xscape, was also featured on the film Big Momma's House. Other singles included "Bow Wow " featuring Snoop Dogg, which also topped the rap chart,

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", #1 on the R&B chart. and was certified platinum. 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. "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. The album was certified platinum. It peaked at #22 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Rap chart. 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. 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 "the influence of crack cocaine in inner-city communities" and featured such guests as Lil Wayne and T.I. Three promo singles were released in late 2008: "Marco Polo" featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, "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.

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