BOW WOW TURNS 18, BUT THE REAL PARTY STARTS IN JUNE

Turning 18 may be an important rite of passage for most folks, but Bow Wow is content to wait a while before he marks it in a big way. Instead of having a huge birthday party on Wednesday, the celebration won't start until June.

The rapper's fourth album, Wanted, is due June 28 and marks a collaborative reunion with producer Jermaine Dupri. While finishing touches are still being put on the disc, Bow Wow's rep said the first single will be "Like You." The dance track, featuring crunk & B queen Ciara, is sure to be blasting when Bow Wow finally does celebrate his birthday and album release all rolled into one party.

The wait may be a surprise for fans who remember "Eighteen," the third track from his last album, where he rhymes about how he's going to commemorate this milestone immediately: "When I turn 18/ I pull up and stop, let my system knock/ They all know I'm super cool when I drop the top/ When I turn 18/ I get my crib up on my first day/ And every week we celebrate like it's my birthday."

When he finally gets the party rolling it's not going to stop for a while. His next project, the 1970s coming-of-age film "Roll Bounce," will open July 1 and is directed by Spike Lee's cousin Malcolm D. Lee (who also directed "Undercover Brother"). After conquering basketball in "Like Mike," Bow Wow is equally comfortable on wheels in the new flick. And if you're thinking dubs, then think again: The wheels in this film are roller skates. Since Bow Wow's 16th birthday party was a roller-skating celebration, this requirement didn't really pose a challenge for the rapper/actor.

Bow Wow will continue to juggle his big-screen work with his recording career. After promoting his star turn along with co-stars Nick Cannon and Meagan Good, he'll hit the road for the Scream IV Tour in July.

March 25, 2005

WANTED: BOW WOW'S BIGGEST FAN

The urban rap legend Bow Wow has a new album, Wanted, coming out soon and Sony Urban Music/Columbia Records wants to put 10 of Bow Wow's biggest fans on the DualDisc version of the album. Wanted will be in stores Tuesday, June 28.

Contestants in the "Wanted: Bow Wow's Biggest Fan" contest are being asked to submit a 30 second video describing/showing/proving why she or he is the greatest fan of the young rap star. 10 of the most original, creative, and/or funniest clips will be included on the DVD portion of the DualDisc version of Wanted, one of the most eagerly-awaited hip-hop albums of the year. Contestants must be 13-years-old or over to enter. Full details for the "Wanted: Bow Wow's Biggest Fan" contest may be found at: http://www.bowwowwanted.com/

When Bow Wow first burst on the scene back in 2000 -- under the wing of super producer Jermaine Dupri and a platinum debut album, Beware of Dog -- critics and audiences alike took notice of this multi-talented rhyming whiz kid with a nimble flow and charisma to burn. His debut album went on to sell more than three million copies while solidifying his status as an authentic hip-hop heartthrob.

Adored by his fans and respected by the game, Bow Wow took his brand of rap to the next level with 2001's Doggy Bag. Bow Wow hit the road in support of his multi-platinum sophomore CD with the sold-out "Scream Tour," wowing fans all over the country with hits like "Take Ya Home" and "Thank You." Hollywood soon picked up on Bow Wow's undeniable star power. In 2002, the rapper starred in the box office triumph "Like Mike" (one of the 50 Top- Grossing films of 2002) and the subsequent hits "All About The Benjamins" (2002) and "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004).

With his third album, 2003's Unleashed, Bow Wow became more directly involved with writing and producing his music, creating a collection directly from the heart, conveying a more personal overview of life from Bow Wow's perspective.

Bow Wow is ready to set 2005 on fire with his fourth album, Wanted; a new movie, "Roll Bounce," a teenage skater-dramedy set in the late 1970s, slated for summer release; the headline slot on this summer's hotly-anticipated "Scream IV" tour; and his own self-titled television series premiering on the WB Network this fall.

Bow Wow's career has been a series of history-making firsts since the release of his debut album, Beware Of Dog, in 2000. He is the youngest musician to open the Grammy Awards--he introduced Madonna at the 2001 ceremony--and is the first "kid" to be included in Vanity Fair's prestigious annual music issue (October 2001). Bow Wow entered the "The Guinness Book of World Records" as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1 on the U.S. charts.

Having recently turned 18, with several hit singles, platinum-plus albums, sold-out tours, starring roles in hit films, and a place in "The Guinness Book of World Records" already on his resume, Bow Wow continues to prove that he's the 100% real deal with the indisputable goods: a bona fide teen superstar blessed with burgeoning talent, tenacity, and a deep connection to his audience.

July 20, 2005

BOW WOW BRINGS THE HEAT

The title of Bow Wow’s fourth effort, Wanted, was inspired by people craving a new release from the rapper. “The fans were always asking, ‘Where Bow Wow at? When he coming back? When he gonna do another CD?'” says Bow Wow. “I just felt wanted.”

And his fans backed up their demands, as Wanted is the Number Three album in the country, selling 119,000 copies in its debut week.

For Wanted, Bow Wow — who felt 2003’s Unleashed lacked the vibe of the producer (and fellow Atlanta resident) who shaped his career — reunited with Jermaine Dupri. “I wanted to go back to what molded me into who I am now, and that was working with Jermaine,” he confesses. “We got our old formula back.”

Born Shad Moss, at the age of thirteen the Cleveland native took on the name Lil Bow Wow for his 2000 debut, Beware of Dog. The album took off on the strength of the single “Bow Wow (What’s My Name),” featuring Snoop Dogg. By 2003, the rapper, no longer as pint-sized, changed his name to Bow Wow and released the more mature Unleashed. Still a teenager at eighteen, Bow Wow believes that his growth continues on his latest effort. “I’ve matured,” he says. “My lyrical content has changed, the topics of the songs and the things that I’m now able to talk about and discuss are totally different from the past.” “Let Me Hold You” and “Like You” are sultrier tracks, while “Big Dreams” tells the story of a sixteen-year-old friend who was fatally shot during a gang dispute.

Part of maturing meant returning to his roots — as superstar rapper Snoop Dogg’s protege. Along with a guest spot by his girlfriend, hot teenage hip-hop diva Ciara, Wanted features the Doggfather himself, on the track “Caviar.” “Snoop was really the main target,” says Bow Wow. “Once you make records with certain people, you know it just feels right.”

Bow Wow just wrapped his fourth feature film for release this fall: Roll Bounce, with Nick Cannon, about Seventies roller-skate jams. And he’ll be joining the lineup of this summer’s Scream IV tour in America and Europe, featuring Omarion, Marques Houston and Ludacris protege Bobby Valentino. “I cannot wait,” Bow Wow says of the tour. “It’s going to be extremely big. I’m so excited to perform for the fans.”

September 26, 2019

TODAY IN HIP HOP HISTORY: BOW WOW RELEASHES TRIPLE-PLATINUM DEBUT ALBUM  'BEWARE OF DOG' 19 YEARS AGO

Before the #BowWowChallenge, Shad Moss, was known as a record-breaking child rapper known as Lil' Bow Wow who had the hearts of young girls worldwide.

He released his debut studio album, Beware of Dog, on September 26th, 2000 through So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records. Jermaine Dupri and Bryan Michael-Cox both executive produced the project. It spawned four hit singles, “Bounce with Me” featuring Xscape, “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” featuring Snoop Dogg, “Puppy Love” featuring Jagged Edge, and “Ghetto Girls”.

JD also handled production for 10 out of 11 tracks. The album debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, and at number three on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 101,000 copies in the first week. The album was certified Triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Bow Wow’s endearing charm combined with his talent and guidance from his mentor, Dupri, made his introduction to the world a legendary one. What was your favorite song on the album?

December 3, 2020

Why Shad 'Bow Wow' Moss Still Lives with His Mom!

While some 28-year-old guys might not be too crazy about still living with their mom, Bow Wow - who now goes by his given name Shad Moss - wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It just makes sense,” the actor tells PEOPLE of the 8-bedroom Atlanta mansion he shares with fiancée Erica Mena, 28, and his mother Teresa Caldwell. “First of all the house is too big, but I want to make sure my mom is comfortable forever.”

So even when Moss proposed to the Love and Hip Hop star last September, he already knew where the couple would settle down.

“I remember when I first moved to Atlanta and Jermaine Dupree had the same situation,” he recalls. “He took part of the house and his mom had the whole rest of it. I said then that I wanted to have the same set up.”

Now, while Moss and Mena have taken over the remodeled basement, Caldwell resides on the main level and second floor.

“It’s like I have a condo downstairs,” says Moss, who splits his time between Atlanta and L.A. to film CSI: Cyber. “I’ve had 100 people there and my mom has been asleep and has never heard the music, screaming, laughter, or drinking. I mean full blown house parties downstairs while she is in the bed asleep. So I’m staying right here.”

Even though all three live under the same roof, it’s easy to miss one another in the spacious digs.

“There’s times where I’ll be down there for three days and we don’t see each other so it’s like I’m out of town even when I’m here,” he says adding one perk of being so close to mom: “I don’t have to get in the car and drive anywhere to see her. I just come up the stairs and say, “What up, Mom.’ ”

June 18, 2021

OMARION AND BOW WOW ANNOUNCE 'MILLENIUM TOUR' DATES

The “Millennium Tour” is coming back this fall. After being delayed due to the pandemic, Omarion and Bow Wow have announced new dates for their joint tour. This time around, they will be joined by Ashanti, plus special guests Soulja Boy, Ying Yang Twins, Lloyd, Sammie, and Pretty Ricky.

The 27-date trek kicks off Oct. 1 at L.A.’s The Forum before making its way to arenas across the country, with stops in Detroit, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Miami, and Memphis, wrapping Nov. 26 in Las Vegas.

Omarion and Bow Wow were originally set to tour last year before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled tour dates. The original “Millennium Tour” was headlined by B2K in 2019 and grossed over $28 million.

Before bringing their live show to a city near you, Bow Wow and his tourmate Soulja Boy will face off during their highly-anticipated Verzuz battle on Saturday, June 26.

June 27, 2021

BOW WOW VS SOULJA BOY

Saturday night saw one of the most entertaining VERZUZ battles: Soulja Boy vs Bow Wow going head to head with the hits they provided to us in early 2000s.

Bow Wow and Soulja Boy Tell Em took the stage in Los Angeles at the VENUE to go hit for hit after DJ Carisma and DJ Jus held it down for the warm up. The battle was streamed live on Instagram as well as Triller and Fite, and many celebrities were tuned in to watch the fun. That included Drake, Lizzo, Saweetie, Brandy, Tyga and more.

The Verzuz battle that nobody thought was for real until Swizz Beatz and Timbaland confirmed the 2000's teenage star entertainers Soulja Boy and Bow Wow on the schedule for Saturday.

The playful trolling and social media jabs were done as Big Draco and Bow Wow finally took the stage at an undisclosed Los Angeles location for the latest installment of Verzuz Live, with Soulja Boy's red Lamborghini on the line.

Over 600,000 fans came through to check out the show on the VerzuzTV Instagram, many draped in their vintage Soulja Boy sunglasses and Calvin Cambridge Knights jerseys. The Verzuz matchup caps off a major weekend for Bow Wow, who also reprised his role in Fast 9 as Twinkie, with the blockbuster hitting theaters on Friday (June 25).

The only way this could be more nostalgic is if it was hosted by Omarion and B2K or AJ & Free.  The latest Verzuz battle was between Bow Wow and Soulja Boy, two of the greatest teen stars to ever do it.  Bow Wow vs Soulja Boy is a flashback to the early 2000s when Mr. 106 & Park was a teen heartthrob and Soulja Boy was inspiring the latest dance craze.  Reminiscent of Skytel pagers and ringtones, these guys inspired a generation and their chance to showcase decades of hard work is well deserved.

Shad Moss aka Lil Bow Wow released his debut album, Beware of the Dog, back in August of 2000.  He was just 13 years old, making a killing with Jermaine Dupri by his side.  His lead single, “Bounce With Me” with Xscape was just the start of things to come.  He released 6 solo albums in 9 years and released a joint album with Omarion in 2007 as well.

While the two artists have long been associated with each other, Soulja Boy didn’t make his debut until late 2007 with his lead single, “Crank That (Soulja Boy)”.  He was one of the first artists to really go viral with a dance craze and a song, becoming a success really off social media and word of mouth. He released his debut album, Souljaboytellem.com shortly after the success of the single and followed up with a sophomore album the following year.  In total, he has released just 5 albums, though he has released a phlethora of mixtapes.

Bow Wow and Soulja Boy collaborated back in 2010 for the first time on the single, “Marco Polo”.  They also releashed a joint project in 2016.