Table of Biography
Bow Wow is a popular American rapper, record producer, television host, and actor. Bow Wow is popular for his albums “Beware of Dog” and “Doggy Bag.”
Early Life
Born Shad Gregory Moss, better known by his stage name Bow Wow. He was born on 9th March 1987 in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States of America. According to his date of birth, he is currently 36 years old and has a birth sign of Pisces. He belongs to the African-American ethnicity and has his belief in Christianity religion.
He was born to his parents; Alfonso Moss (father) and Teresa Caldwell (mother). His father abandoned the family and Bow Wow never saw his father since his birth. After that, his mother married Rodney Caldwell. By profession, his mother is a hair stylist while his stepfather is a practicing lawyer in Houston. He grew up with his stepsisters, Erica and Jasarah.
His mother encouraged his musical interests. Moreover, his mother began taking him to talent shows in his hometown when he was five years old. As a result, he began performing as a rapper under the moniker “Kid Gangsta.”
Education and Early Career
In terms of his academics, he attended J. Ashton Middle School. Later, he enrolled at Reynold High School. The most significant change in his life occurred when he attended the Chronic Tour in 1993, which featured eminent rappers such as Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre. Furthermore, he was chosen from the audience to perform on stage, and he enthusiastically demonstrated his rapping abilities.
Snoop Dog called him backstage and told him 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.” He gladly accepted the offer and began touring the United States.
Snoop also helped Wow to meet music producer Jermaine Dupri who immediately signed him to his company ‘So So Def Recordings.’ He began working on his first album with the help of his mentor, Dupri. Meanwhile, in 1999, his song ‘The Stick Up,’ co-written with Dupri, was included on the soundtrack of the film Wild Wild West.
Professional Career
In 2000, Bow Wow released his debut album “Beware of Dog” which became a massive hit with record sales of more than 3 million copies till 2009. The album included hit songs like ‘Bounce With Me’ featuring R&B group Xscape, ‘Ghetto Girls’ and ‘Puppy Love’ with Jagged Edge. The song in collaboration with Snoop Dogg ‘Bow Wow (That’s My Name)’ reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received double Platinum certifications from the RIAA. The album reached the top 10th position on the Billboard 200 charts.
Following the commercial success of his first 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 to date, earning Platinum certification from the RIAA and making 11th on the Billboard 200 and second on the Top R&B/ Hip Hop Albums charts. It included hit songs like ‘Thank You’ and ‘Take Ya Home,’ as well as his ‘Basketball’ song, which appeared on the soundtrack of his film “Like Mike.”
Dropped his ‘Lil’ stage name and continued his singing career
Moreover, he dropped his ‘Lil’ stage name at the age of 16, joined Columbia Records after leaving So So Deff, and released his next album, “Unleashed,” in 2003, reaching the top three on the Billboard 200 and earning Gold certification. The album’s lead single, ‘Let’s Get Down,’ featuring Birdman, peaked at 14th on the Billboard Hot 100 and 6th on Hot Rap Tracks. He composed and served as executive producer on this album, which featured more contemporary sounds.
Caption: Bow Wow performing in front of fans in a concert (Source: Instagram)
His fourth album, “Wanted,” was released in 2005 on the Sony Urban Music/Columbia label and was certified Platinum. The songs ‘Let Me Hold You,’ written in collaboration with Omarion, and ‘Like You,’ written with his then-girlfriend Ciara, charted at the top of the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks and Billboard 200, demonstrating his potential as a rapper and selling nearly 1 million copies in the United States.
Later career and retirement from rapping career
Wow, next released his fifth album “The Prince of Fame” in late 2006 which included 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.
He then released an album “Face Off” in 2007 with singer Omarion, which received a gold certification and sold over 107 thousand copies in its first week. His most recent album, “New Jack City II,” was released in 2009 and peaked at number 16 on the US Billboard 200. It featured Nelly, Soulja Boy, T.I., T-Pain, and Trey Songz.
Between 2009 to 2016, he released several mixtapes like ‘Greenlight’3, 4, and 5, ‘I’m Better Than You’, and the latest ‘Ignorant Shit.’ In 2010, he also released a compilation album titled ‘The Very Best of Bow Wow’. All of them did well and helped him become a well-known rap artist.
Bow Wow announced his retirement from rapping on August 7, 2016, and that he will release one more album, “NYLTH,” tentatively scheduled for release in 2017. It has not been released as of July 2023.
Bow Wow and Soulja Boy released a joint retail mixtape ‘Ignorant Shit’ on October 25, 2016, before the release of his final album. He appeared as “Frog” on the third season of The Masked Singer in 2020. Moreover, he came in third place.
Acting
Bow Wow has appeared as a guest on Brandy’s television sitcom “Moesha,” as well as “The Steve Harvey Show” and “Brothers Garcia.” On July 3, 2002, he made his acting debut in the film “Like Mike,” in which he played a young orphan who gets a chance to play in the NBA. He appeared in “All About The Benjamins” and “Carmen: A Hip Hopera Before Like Mike.”
Moreover, he also appeared in “Johnson Family Vacation” alongside Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa L. Williams, and Solange Knowles. Bow Wow has appeared in several Hollywood films since the success of “Like Mike,” including “Roll Bounce,” “The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift,” and “Hurricane Season.”
In addition, he made guest appearances on “Smallville” and “Ugly Betty.” He appeared in the fifth season of HBO’s “Entourage” as Charlie. Moreover, he co-starred with Ice Cube in the 2010 comedy film “Lottery Ticket.” He is currently working on a documentary about his life “Who Is Shad Moss?”
Bow Wow appeared in the film adaptation of “Madea’s Big Happy Family,” which was released in April 2011. He announced in August 2014 that he would star in a CSI spinoff called “CSI: Cyber.” In 2021, he returned to “F9” as Twinkie.
Awards
In 2001, he won the BET Viewer’s Choice award and the Billboard Music Prize for Rap Single of the Year for his Bow Wow That’s My Name. In 2011, he won the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Prize for Favorite Male Singer as Lil Bow.
Bow Wow – Net Worth 2024
As of 2023, Bow Wow’s net worth is estimated at around $1.5 million. Meanwhile, his earnings and salary are still missing. He has earned this through his rapping career, selling albums, concerts, advertisements, acting in television and movies, and many others.
Relationship Status
Caption: Bow Wow with his daughter (Source: Hollywood Life)
Currently, this former American rapper seems to be single. In the past, he was engaged and has had several relationships. In 2014, he was formerly engaged and one year later, they got divorced.
He has been linked to Kiyomi Leslie (2017 – 2018), Keyshia Cole (2016), Simply Jess (2011), Joie Chavis (2010 – 2017), Teairra Mari (2009 – 2010), Melody Thornton (2008), Dollicia Bryan (2007), Ciara (2004 – 2006), and Esther Baxter (2002 – 2003). Bow has a daughter named Shai Moss from his ex-girlfriend, Joie Chavis, who left him over domestic issues. Shai, who was born on April 27, 2011, is being raised by her mother.
Controversy
According to rumors, his bodyguard raped him and he needed stitches in his bum. He was arrested for battery on February 2, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia, following a fight with a woman. Both had minor injuries at the time of their arrest. It was unclear who was the aggressor, so both were charged. They were both taken to the Fulton County Jail, but Bow was released on $8,000 signature bond on Saturday afternoon.
Bow Wow – Body Measurements
Caption: Bow Wow posing for a photo (Source: Instagram)
Bow Wow stands 5 feet 4 inches tall (1.62 m) and weighs 67 kg (148 lbs). He has a pair of hazel eyes with black hair color. In addition, his body measurement measures 37-30-10, and wears a shoe size of 8 US.
Bow Wow – Social Media
On his Instagram page ‘@shadmoss’ there are over 4.8 million followers. Likewise, there are over 3 million followers on his Twitter page ‘@smoss’ and over 2.8k followers on his Facebook. Additionally, he has self-titled Youtube and there are over 1.32 million subscribers as of writing this content.