Bow Wow (rapper)

Shad Moss

Bow Wow during a taping of 106 & Park in 2013
Background information
Birth name Shad Gregory Moss
Also known as Lil' Bow Wow
Born (1987-03-09) March 9, 1987
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
Years active 1993–present
Labels
Associated acts

Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9, 1987), better known by his stage name Bow Wow (formerly Lil' Bow Wow), is an American rapper, actor and television host. As Lil' Bow Wow, he released his first album, Beware of Dog in 2000 at age 13, which was followed by Doggy Bag 2001. In 2003, Bow Wow released his third album Unleashed, which was the first album released without using Lil' in his name. As of September 27, 2015, Bow Wow had officially been signed to a new label, Bad Boy Records, which is owned by Puff Daddy.[1]

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 also played a supporting role in the film The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006. Bow Wow also appeared in five episodes of the television series Entourage. He is currently working on his new album entitled Underrated and starred as Brody Nelson in CSI: Cyber until the show's cancellation in 2016.

Life and career

1987–2001: Early life and Beware of Dog

Bow Wow was born Shad Gregory Moss in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Teresa Rena Caldwell (née Jones) and Alfonso Preston Moss.[2] 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.[3] In 1993, he performed at a concert in Los Angeles, and was noticed by rapper Snoop Dogg, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow".[4]

In 1998, at the age of eleven, Bow Wow met record producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped shape his career. In 1999, the soundtrack to the movie Wild Wild West featured his song "The Stick Up" with his mentor Jermaine Dupri. 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 R&B 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 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]

2002: Doggy Bag, Like Mike and name change

In 2002, his second album Doggy Bag was released with singles "Take Ya Home" which peaked at #72 on the Hot 100 and #21 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. All these Lil' rappers, I'm just kind of getting real irritated by it. I said, 'You know what? Drop the Lil'. Forget it. I'm Bow Wow. Besides, I'm growing up, I'm not little anymore. [I just decided that] two weeks ago. I really got irritable. It's all these Lil' cats, forget it. I'm Bow Wow now. Everything is just 'Bow Wow,' no 'Lil' Bow Wow.'"[9]

2003–06: Unleashed, Wanted and The Price of Fame

The first album released under his new name 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 September 25, 2003.[6] Bow Wow appeared on the remix of JoJo's single "Baby It's You" in 2004.

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] 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]

2007–09: Face Off and New Jack City II

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] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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 Shit" 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.[16]

2010–present: NYLTH

Bow Wow planned to release his new then-titled album Underrated on Cash Money Records, but the record underwent a number of delays and in mid-November 2011, Bow Wow announced on his blog that the record wouldn't be out before 2012.[17] The album was intended to feature with Birdman, Boyz II Men, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Fabolous, Game, Lil Wayne, Lloyd Banks, Meek Mill, Nas, Nelly, Sean Kingston, Snoop Dogg, DMX, Styles P and Talib Kweli. The first promo single being "For My Hood", featuring DJ Khaled & Sean Kingston.[18] On November 1, 2010, Bow Wow released his first promotional single from the album entitled "Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You" featuring Chris Brown. The music video was a success on 106 & Park and made the countdown in just 1 day. Two weeks later it peaked number 1 on the show's charts and remained number 1 for 3 days. On June 2, 2011, a song from his album called "I'm Da Man", which features Chris Brown, was leaked and wasn't the first official single from the album. On October 24, 2011, Bow Wow released the single entitled "Sweat" featuring Lil Wayne, and though it was thought to be the first official single from the album it was also dubbed by Bow Wow as a promotional single.

On May 18, 2012, after several delays, Bow Wow released the first single from the album entitled "Better" featuring T-Pain. The music video for the song was directed by Bow Wow's personal camera man Rico Da Crook & was a success on 106 & Park and made it to the top of the countdown.[19][20][21] On June 26, 2012, Bow Wow released the second single from the album entitled "We In Da Club" & was produced by DJ Mustard.[22] The song went nowhere on any billboard charts, but the video was also another success on 106 & Park making it to the top of the countdown.[23] The third single scheduled from the album was intended to feature Miguel that was entitled "Right Now". Later, there was an announcement that Universal Republic Records was going defunct; all of the artists on the roster that were moved from the label, including Bow Wow, were moved to Republic Records making the label itself revived.[24]

On August 10, 2013 via his official YouTube page Bow Wow stated the reason that Underrated had been delayed is due to him raising his daughter & waiting until he was more mature;, he also stated he planned on working & releasing the album after he turned 28.[25] On June 24, 2014, Bow Wow announced via Instagram that after 2014 BET Awards, he was going by his real name Shad Moss, claiming that he made a lot of history as Bow Wow, and that it was now time for "the next chapter and challenge". He stated that "Bow Wow" no longer fit with his new personality as he was now a father, host and actor, and he had matured from what he had been early on in his life.[26]

In May 2015, with his long delayed album with Cash Money still without a release date, Bow Wow announced that he had amicably parted ways with Cash Money Records, so he may move on with his music career. He said, "I wanna dictate when my music come out. I'm tired of going to the studio to make records and then I listen to them. 'Cuz then they get old. Then when y'all ask for new music I don't wanna hear it 'cuz I've been listening to it for two or three months. I just can't be held up up by nobody. It's as simple as that. I got a daughter. I got a family I gotta provide for."[27] On September 27, 2015, Bow Wow signed to Diddy's record label Bad Boy Records. He then named the members of his new management team and finished the post by writing, "Making money won't be the issue. Figuring out where to keep it all is another story!"[28]

On August 7, 2016, Bow Wow officially announced that he is retiring from rapping and will release one more album titled NYLTH, which is tentatively scheduled for release in 2017.[29]

Prior to his final album release, him and Soulja Boy released a joint retail mixtape titled Ignorant Shit on October 25, 2016.[30][31]

Other ventures

Acting career

Bow Wow has made guest appearances on Brandy's TV sitcom, Moesha, as well as The Steve Harvey Show and Brothers Garcia.[32] He made his 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 cameos in All About The Benjamins and "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.[33] He has also made guest appearances on Smallville and Ugly Betty. He was part of the cast of the fifth season of HBO's Entourage, playing Charlie an up-and-coming comedian, and Eric Murphy's newest client. He starred in a 2010 comedy film, Lottery Ticket, with Ice Cube.[34] He is 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 and it was released in 2011.[35]

Bow Wow starred in the film version of Madea's Big Happy Family, released in April 2011. In August 2014, Bow Wow announced that he would star in an upcoming CSI spinoff entitled CSI: Cyber.[36]

BET's 106 & Park

On October 1, 2013 it was confirmed that Bow Wow was chosen as the current host for BET’s 106 & Park after former host Terrence J & Rocsi retired from the show, it can be seen in over 85 million homes in the U.S., Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Africa, the Caribbean, Germany and South Africa.[37]

RnB Friday Nights

In 2016, Bow Wow began hosting a night time edition of the Australian Hit Network's radio show RnB Fridays, titled RnB Friday Nights.[38]

Legal issues

On March 28, 2012 it was announced Bow Wow was ordered by court to pay $3,000 a month in child support.[39][40][41]

On October 2, 2012, Bow Wow claimed he was broke and only making $4,000 dollars a month and only had $1,500 in his checking account. However the next day he signed on to be one of the four new co-hosts of BET's 106 & Park.[39] Later on he would address this by saying;

"One thing about me, I'm a smart guy. Very smart. Things that I do, are for reasons. Things that I don't do are for reasons. So for myself, I'm comfortable, very comfortable. For me, it's all about the work. But as far as rumors, those are people's opinions -- until you see me on a corner with a cardboard box saying I'll tap dance for food for canned goods, then you can say that [I'm broke]."[42]

Personal life

His family supported him through his choice of music as a career.[43] Bow Wow lives in Atlanta, Georgia, along with his mother.[44][45] Bow Wow has a daughter with Joie Chavis.[46] Bow Wow was formerly engaged to Erica Mena.[47]

Politics

In October 2008, for the U.S. presidential election, Bow Wow led a 15-city "Walk Across America" event to register new voters.[48] In 2014, during a charity flag-football game organized by Chris Brown, Bow Wow participated in a celebrity tribute to Ferguson, Missouri police-shooting victim Michael Brown.[49] In 2016, Bow Wow was involved in a controversy on Twitter when he told his followers that he had decided not to vote in the presidential election that year.[50] In response to a suggestion that refusing to vote dishonors the struggle for civil rights in the United States, Moss said that he did not identify with the fight for civil rights because his heritage was "mixed" and not exclusively black.[50]

Discography

Main article: Bow Wow discography

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 Documentary
2011 Madeas Big Happy Family Byron Supporting role
2013 Scary Movie 5[51] Eric
2013 Allegiance Specialist Chris Reyes

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Steve Harvey Show Himself Episode: "No Free Samples"
Moesha Ray Episode: "That's My Mama"
2006 Smallville Baern Episode: "Fallout"
2008 Ugly Betty Himself Episode: "Zero Worship"
Entourage Charlie Recurring role
2011 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Dante Episodes: "4-1-1", "Smokin Like a Virgin"
2012–14 106 & Park Himself Host
2015 CSI: Cyber Brody "Baby Face" Nelson Series regular (credited as Shad Moss)

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

Billboard Music Awards

Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

Black Reel Awards

MTV Video Music Awards Japan

NAACP Image Awards

Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards

Soul Train Music Awards

Teen Choice Awards

Vibe Awards

Young Artist Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Some facts, lil' and big, about Bow Wow - Scene blog - al.com". al.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. ↑ "Shad Gregory Moss (b. 1987)". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  3. ↑ Christian, Margena (2000-11-13). "At Home With Hip-Hop Heartthrow Lil' Bow Cow". Jet. Retrieved 2009-01-10.
  4. ↑ "Lil' Bow Wow: Puppy Power (Page 2)". MTV News. 2000-09-01. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Bow Wow > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gold & Platinum (Bow Wow albums)". RIAA. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  7. ↑ "Bow Wow: Announces Retirement From Music, Speaks On Record Sales & Acting Career". YouTube. 2009-04-13. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  8. ↑ "Bow Wow > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  9. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2002-04-04). "Bow Wow Drops The Lil', Collars Tour Dates". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  10. 1 2 Birchmeier, Jason (2007). "Bow Wow – Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2008-02-24.
  11. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2005-07-25). "Got Questions About Bow Wow And Ciara? Watch Their Video". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  12. ↑ "Ciara, Bow Wow Call It Quits". People. April 10, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2010.
  13. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2007-01-30). "Bow Wow Can't Get His Mind Off An Ex (Ciara?) In New Single". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  14. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2009-02-27). "50 Cent Says Rick Ross Will 'Work At A Pizza Shop' When Battle Is Done". Mixtape Monday. MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  15. ↑ Roberts, Steven (2009-03-31). "Bow Wow Says His Saga With Jermaine Dupri Mirrors 'New Jack City'". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  16. ↑ Gamble, Ronnie (2009-08-16). "Bow Wow Inks Deal With Cash Money Records". BallerStatus.com.
  17. ↑ "Bow Wow Delays Young Money Debut Album 'Underrated' Again – 2012 Release Date". This Beat Goes. Retrieved December 27, 2011.
  18. ↑ "For My Hood [Explicit]: Bow Wow: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  19. ↑ "iTunes - Music - Better (feat. T-Pain) - Single by Bow Wow". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-05-08. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  20. ↑ "Behind The Scenes Video: Bow Wow ft T-Pain "Better" Underrated Webisode 18". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  21. ↑ "Bow Wow - Better (Explicit) ft. T-Pain". YouTube. 2012-06-18. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  22. ↑ "iTunes - Music - We In da Club - Single by Bow Wow". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-06-26. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  23. ↑ "Bow Wow "We In Da Club" Official Music Video (Explicit)". YouTube. 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  24. ↑ "Birdman now with Republic Records". Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Bow Wow speaks on Underrated Album Delay. Talks daughter and upcoming projects". YouTube. 2013-08-10. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  26. ↑ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.29415/title.bow-wow-changes-stage-name-to-shad-moss |date=2013-06-24 |accessdate=2014-06-24
  27. ↑ "Bow Wow Leaves Cash Money Records, Links With Jermaine Dupri". BallerStatus.com. May 9, 2015.
  28. ↑ Angus Walker (25 September 2015). "Bow Wow Signs To Diddy & Bad Boy". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  29. ↑ "Bow Wow Announces Retirement From Rap, Will Release One More Album". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  30. ↑ https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ignorant-s**t/id1169565310
  31. ↑ http://www.mtv.com/news/2947208/bow-wow-soulja-boy-joint-mixtape/
  32. ↑ "Lil Bow Wow Playing Hardball". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  33. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2008-06-10). "Bow Wow Has Big Love For The Big Screen: 'Acting Is My Number-One Priority'". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  34. ↑ Reid, Shaheem (2008-07-22). "Bow Wow Patches Things Up With Jermaine Dupri, Talks About His Role On 'Entourage'". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  35. ↑ Vasquez, Andres (2010-11-09). "Bow Wow Continues Twitter Confessions, "I Never Felt Like I Could Be Me" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  36. ↑ Patrick Lyons (19 August 2014). "Bow Wow Joins Cast Of "CSI: Cyber"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  37. ↑ "Bow Wow Debuts As NEW 106 & PARK HOST, Plus Paigon, Shorty Da Prince & Miss Mykie | The Young, Black, and Fabulous". Theybf.com. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  38. ↑ http://www.hit1009.com.au/shows/rnb-friday-nights/
  39. 1 2 "8. Bow Wow Reveals He's Broke — The 25 Biggest Hip-Hop Fails of 2012". Complex. 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  40. ↑ "Bow Wow reveals he has a baby girl - Pop2it - Zap2it". Blog.zap2it.com. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  41. ↑ "Bow Wow Reveals Secret Child, Suicidal Thoughts". E! Online. 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  42. ↑ "Bow Wow Speaks On Rap Becoming Trendy & Rumors Of Him Being Broke". YouTube. 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2014-05-16.
  43. ↑ "Shad 'Bow Wow' Gregory Moss". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  44. ↑ Strohm, Emily (April 10, 2015). "Why Shad 'Bow Wow' Moss Still Lives with His Mom!". People. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  45. ↑ Harvey, Alec (2008-06-20). "Some facts, lil' and big, about Bow Wow". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  46. ↑ Burke, Minyvonne (June 25, 2016). "Erica Mena Slams Bow Wow's Ex, Joie Chavis, In Post Explaining What Caused Their Breakup". International Business Times. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  47. ↑ EnStars (26 December 2015). "Bow Wow Daughter: Rapper Spends Christmas With Shai Moss & Her Mom After Erica Mena Split [VIDEO]". Retrieved 8 September 2016.
  48. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (2008-10-13). "Bow Wow Gets Out The Vote One Step At A Time With Walk Across America". MTV News. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  49. ↑ "Watch Nelly Lead 'Hands Up, Don't Shoot' Protest Chant for Michael Brown." Billboard. 2014-08-18. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  50. 1 2 "Bow Wow's Mixed Heritage Means He Can't Understand Civil Rights. NBC News. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2016-07-30.
  51. ↑ "Scary Movie V (2013)". Cinemablend.com. Retrieved 2014-05-16.

External links

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