Shad Gregory Moss, better known as Bow Wow, is a prominent rap singer, record producer, TV personality, and actor. He was first known in the mainstream under the moniker Lil’ Bow Wow until 2003 when he began using the name Bow Wow in his albums. From the age of three, he showed a strong preference for melodious tunes, particularly the rap type of music. Bow claimed that he has always enjoyed rapping and would perform whenever the opportunity arose. He is most known for his hip-hop albums and mix tapes, which have received numerous gold and platinum certifications and charted on Billboard’s Top 200 and Top 100 lists. The bow has also risen to popularity and stardom as a result of his acting abilities. He played Twinkie in ‘The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift’ (2006), Gary in ‘Hurricane Season (2009), T- Boy in ‘The Family Tree’ (2011), and Brody ‘Baby Face’ Nelson in ‘CSI: Cyber’ (2012). (2015). He also starred alongside Beyonce Knowles, Wyclef Jean, and Mos Def in an MTV production of ‘Carmen: A Hip Hop Era’ (2001). He is a well-known entertainer who has gained worldwide acclaim for his many abilities.
Childhood and Adolescence
Bow Wow was born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Shad’s biological father, Alfonso Preston Moss, abandoned the family when he was a child, and he hasn’t seen him since.
Bow Wow was raised by his mother Teresa Rena Caldwell (nee Jones), stepfather Rodney Caldwell, and step sisters Erica and Jasarah. His mother works as a hairstylist, while his stepfather works as a lawyer in Houston, Texas.
His mother encouraged him to pursue his passion for singing and began taking him to talent shows in his hometown when he was five years old. As a result, he began to perform as a rapper under the moniker ‘Kid Gangsta.’
In 1993, he attended the Chronic Tour, which featured prominent rappers such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. This was the turning point in his life. Shad was selected from the audience to appear on stage, and he passionately demonstrated his rapping abilities.
Backstage, Snoop Dog told Shad that he wanted him to be the opening act for the rest of the tour, and he gave him the stage name ‘Lil Bow Wow.’ Shad enthusiastically accepted the offer and began performing across the United States.
Snoop also introduced Shad to music producer Jermaine Dupri, who signed him to his label ‘So So Def Recordings’ right away. Shad began working on his first album with the help of his mentor, Jermaine Dupri.
Meanwhile, his song ‘The Stick Up,’ which he co-wrote with Jermaine, was featured on the soundtrack of the film Wild Wild West in 1999.
A Musical Adventure
In 2000, Lil Bow Wow (then 13 years old) released his debut album, ‘Beware of Dog,’ which became a big smash, selling over 3 million copies by 2009. ‘Bounce With Me,’ featuring R&B group Xscape, ‘Ghetto Girls,’ and ‘Puppy Love,’ starring Jagged Edge, were among the album’s big singles.
‘Bow Wow (That’s My Name),’ a song written with Snoop Dogg, charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album debuted at number ten on Billboard’s 200 charts.
Following the financial success of his debut album, he released his second album, ‘Doggy Bag,’ in 2002 on the So So Deff label.
This album has sold 1.1 million copies in the United States and has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), while also charting at 11th on the Billboard 200 and 2nd on the Top R&B/ Hip Hop Albums charts.
It includes successful songs such as ‘Thank You’ and ‘Take Ya Home,’ as well as his song ‘Basketball,’ which was featured on the soundtrack of his film ‘Like Mike.’
Shad discarded his ‘Lil’ stage name at the age of 16, signed Columbia Records after leaving So So Deff, and released his third album, ‘Unleashed,’ in 2003, which reached number three on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold.
The album’s lead track, ‘Let’s Get Down,’ featuring Birdman, reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on Hot Rap Tracks. Shad created and served as executive producer on this album, which featured more contemporary sounds and sounds.
‘Wanted,’ the rapper’s fourth album, was released in 2005 on the Sony Urban Music/Columbia label and was certified Platinum.
The songs ‘Let Me Hold You,’ which he co-wrote with Omarion, and ‘Like You,’ which he co-wrote with Ciara, charted at number one on Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and the Billboard 200, demonstrating his promise as a rapper and selling nearly one million copies in the United States.
Bow’s fifth album, ‘The Prince of Fame,’ was released in late 2006 and featured songs like ‘Shortie Like Mine,’ ‘Outta My System,’ and ‘I’m a Flirt.’ This album was certified gold, charted at number six on the US Billboard 200, and sold over 262,000 copies in its first week.
Bow Wow’s next album, ‘Face Off,’ was released in 2007 with vocalist Omarion, and it got gold certification and sold over 107 thousand copies in its first week.
His most recent album, ‘New Jack City II,’ was published in 2009 and debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200 in the United States. It included artists such as Nelly, Soulja Boy, T.I., T-Pain, and Trey Songz, and was rated R for its adult content.
Bow produced many mixtapes between 2009 and 2016, including ‘Greenlight’ 3, 4, and 5, ‘I’m Better Than You,’ and the most recent ‘Ignorant Shit.’
In 2010, he also released ‘The Very Best of Bow Wow,’ a compilation CD. All of them did well, and he became a well-known rap artist as a result of them.
Bow Currently Working
Shad Moss, nicknamed ‘Bow Wow,’ announced on social media that NYLTH will be his final album, as he plans to leave the rap game before he turns 30.
This record, which he and Snoop Dogg are executive producing, will be followed by a film. He is currently concentrating on his acting abilities and performance as a TV host. Bow intends to make two television programs.
Achievements & Awards
Bow Wow’s ‘Bow Wow (That’s My Name)’ earned the BET viewer’s choice award and the Billboard Music Award for Rap Single of the Year in 2001.
In 2001, he received the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Singer as Lil Bow.
Personal History and Legacy
Bow Wow has had multiple hot relationships in the past few years, including Ciara, Ayisha Diaz, Kat Stacks, and Erica Mena. Melody Thorton and Teairra Mari were reportedly rumored to be having affairs with him.
The bow has a daughter, Shai Moss, with his ex-girlfriend Joie Chavis, whom he had split up with over domestic troubles, but they have recently been spotted together again.
Shai was born on April 27, 2011, and her mother is her primary caregiver. He even mentioned that becoming a parent has changed him drastically and that he enjoys playing and snuggling with his daughter.
Estimated Net worth
Bow in terms of net worth Wow’s net worth is believed to be $ 1.5 million as of 2017.
Lil Bow was verified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest rapper to achieve a number one hit.