Bow Wow Years active 2000-present Genre(s) Hip hop Label(s) Columbia Sony Urban Bow Wow (born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987) is an American rapper and actor. He is listed in the Guinness World Records as the "youngest solo rapper to ever hit number one".[1] Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Career 1.3 Personal life 2 Discography 2.1 Albums 2.2 Singles 3 Selected filmography 4 References 4.1 Footnotes 4.2 External links Biography Early life Bow Wow was born in Reynoldsburg, Ohio[2] of African American heritage. He was raised, along with his stepsister Erica, by his mother and step-father. When he was 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, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow".[2] Snoop later hired him as an opening act, officially gaining him a spot on the Death Row Records roster. By 1998, Bow Wow was introduced to record producer Jermaine Dupri,[2] who helped shape his career. Career At the beginning of his career, Bow Wow was first a part of the Death Row Records artist roster, with his name appearing in various magazine and poster advertisements for the label. In 2000, he released his first album, Beware of Dog and became a successful recording artist under Dupri's mentorship; the same year, Bow Wow's single, "Bounce with Me", was also successful.[2] After the success of Bow Wow's debut album, he released 2002's Doggy Bag, which contained, among others, the songs "Thank You" and "Take You Home". During this time, he removed "Lil'" from his professional name.[2] He eventually broke out on his own in 2003 with the album Unleashed, which was his first without Dupri's assistance; the album's sales were lower than that of his first two.[2] In addition to his own albums, Bow Wow has contributed to Will Smith's Wild Wild West album, and had a guest appearance on Brandy's TV sitcom, Moesha. Bow Wow made his acting debut in 2002's Like Mike, where he starred as a young orphan who gets a shot at the NBA. Bow Wow has appeared in commercials for Twix, Campbells, and Verbs. He has participated, as the opening act, in every Scream Tour except for the first. Bow Wow also performed live with Chris Brown at the 2006 Kids' Choice Awards on Nickelodeon and appears on rapper Miss Nana's album I Got The Hood, Volume 1 as a host. In 2005, Bow Wow released his fourth album, Wanted, on which he once again worked with Jermaine Dupri.[2] The album featured two singles that reached #1, "Let Me Hold You" (featuring Omarion) and "Like You" (featuring Ciara).[1] Since the success of Like Mike, Bow Wow has starred in several Hollywood films, with the latest, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, scheduled for release on June 16, 2006. He has described the film's director, Justin Lin, as "the best director" he has ever worked with.[1] Bow Wow has also developed a clothing line entitled Shago. In July of 2006, he will receive a Hollywood Life award for being "the most exciting crossover artist".[1] Bow Wow is currently working on his fifth studio album and expects the project to be out in October of 2006. Bow Wow describes the album as "edgier" and more "mature" than his last one;[3] he has also noted that the album, which he describes as his biggest to date, may also be his last.[3] The first single, "Shorty Like Mine",[3] will be released mid-summer and will feature singer Chris Brown.[4] Bow Wow has also committed to appearing in at least two more film roles. The script for one of the films, named Mr. President, is currently being re-written.[3] Personal life Bow Wow is a good friend of basketball star Allen Iverson and singer Omarion.citation needed] Bow Wow dated R&B singer Ciara until early 2006. Bow Wow became the second celebrity to appear on the reality prank show, Punk'd, more than two times.citation needed] During his first appearance, he was tricked by Ashton Kutcher for losing some borrowed jewelry. The second time involved singer Omarion. Bow Wow will attend Indiana University in the fall of 2006. Discography Albums 2000: Beware of Dog #8 US (2x Platinum) 2001: Doggy Bag #11 US (Platinum) 2003: Unleashed #3 US (Gold) 2005: Wanted #3 US (Platinum) 2006: TBA Singles Year Title Chart Positions Album US Hot 100 US R&B/Hip-Hop US Rap UK Singles Chart 2000 "Bounce With Me" 20 1 1 - Beware of Dog 2001 "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" 21 9 1 6 Beware of Dog 2003 "Let's Get Down" (featuring Baby) 14 12 6 - Unleashed 2003 "My Baby" (featuring Jagged Edge) 42 17 15 - Unleashed 2005 "Let Me Hold You" (featuring Omarion) 4 2 1 27 Wanted 2005 "Like You" (featuring Ciara) 3 1 1 17 Wanted 2005 "I Think They Like Me" (Dem Franchize Boyz featuring Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat & Bow Wow) 15 1 1 66 On Top Of Our Game 2005 "Fresh Azimiz" (featuring J-Kwon & Jermaine Dupri) 23 13 6 - Wanted Selected filmography Year Title Role Notes 2006 The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Twinkie 2005 Roll Bounce Xavier 'X' 2004 Johnson Family Vacation D.J. Johnson 2002 Like Mike Calvin Cambridge All About The Benjamins Kelly References Footnotes ^ a b c d BlackNews.com. Bow Wow: The Fast and Furious 3 Interview. Retrieved on June 15, 2006. ^ a b c d e f g Dispatch.com. BOW WOW: A LIFE. Retrieved on June 16, 2006. ^ a b c d MTV.com. Bow Wow Planning A Very Early Retirement After Next Album. Retrieved on June 26, 2006. ^ MTV.com. Scream Tour Organizer Eyeing Chris Brown, Ne-Yo For Fifth Installment. Retrieved on June 15, 2006. External links Bow Wow's official website Bow Wow at the Internet Movie Database Search Term: "Bow_Wow" Categories: Articles with unsourced statements | 1987 births | Actor-singers | African-American actors | African American musicians | American child actors | American child singers | American film actors | American rappers | Death Row | People from Columbus, Ohio | Living people | Rhythmic Top 40 acts