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 music producer.
Biography
Bow Wow was born in Columbus, Ohio to Teresa and Junie Moss. Junie left the family and his mother worked three jobs to care for him. Teresa later married Rodney Caldwell, and Bow Wow has two step-siblings, Erica and Jasarah. Bow Wow was raised, and attended school, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a small city in the Columbus metropolitan area, until his rap career took off.
At age 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 and rapper Dr. Dre, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow". Dr. Dre later hired him as an opening act. "Lil' Bow Wow" then appeared on a skit on Snoop's debut Doggystyle.
In 1998 at the age of eleven, Bow Wow was introduced to record producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped shape his career. Bow Wow and Omarion made a guest appearance on WWE RAW.
Film Career
Bow Wow has had guest appearances on Brandy's TV sitcom, Moesha as well as The Steve Harvey Show. He made his major acting debut in the film Like Mike which was released on July 3, 2002, where he starred as a young orphan who gets a shot at the NBA. Before Like Mike he made a cameo in All About The Benjamins as Kelly and in "Carmen: A Hip Hopera." He co-starred with Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa 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 and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, released on June 16, 2006. Bow Wow was a guest star on the television show Smallville in November 2006 in the episode entitled "Fallout," with long time friend Lil Nj.
Philanthropy
Bow Wow along with other recording artists such as P!nk , Avril Lavigne, Eve, Kelly Rowland, ex-Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro join actresses Brittany Murphy, Charlize Theron, Rosario Dawson and Eva Mendes in ads for "empowerment tag" for the ALDO Fights AIDS campaign. The tags, worn as necklaces or bracelets, go on sale at ALDO stores March 1st and benefit the YouthAIDS initiative.
Endorsements and Projects
Bow Wow has appeared in commercials for (BET) Wrap it up, Twix, Chewits Campbells, and Verbs.
He currently owns his own record label called LBW Entertainment, which is said in records produced after his Wanted album as, "LB DUB GANG". Such records include "Price of Fame", and "Get It In" on his recent 2006 album. Rappers Miss Nana from Newark, NJ and Khleo Thomas are currently signed to this label.
Biography
Bow Wow was born in Columbus, Ohio to Teresa and Junie Moss. Junie left the family and his mother worked three jobs to care for him. Teresa later married Rodney Caldwell, and Bow Wow has two step-siblings, Erica and Jasarah. Bow Wow was raised, and attended school, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, a small city in the Columbus metropolitan area, until his rap career took off.
At age 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 and rapper Dr. Dre, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow". Dr. Dre later hired him as an opening act. "Lil' Bow Wow" then appeared on a skit on Snoop's debut Doggystyle.
In 1998 at the age of eleven, Bow Wow was introduced to record producer Jermaine Dupri, who helped shape his career. Bow Wow and Omarion made a guest appearance on WWE RAW.
Film Career
Bow Wow has had guest appearances on Brandy's TV sitcom, Moesha as well as The Steve Harvey Show. He made his major acting debut in the film Like Mike which was released on July 3, 2002, where he starred as a young orphan who gets a shot at the NBA. Before Like Mike he made a cameo in All About The Benjamins as Kelly and in "Carmen: A Hip Hopera." He co-starred with Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa 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 and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, released on June 16, 2006. Bow Wow was a guest star on the television show Smallville in November 2006 in the episode entitled "Fallout," with long time friend Lil Nj.
Philanthropy
Bow Wow along with other recording artists such as P!nk , Avril Lavigne, Eve, Kelly Rowland, ex-Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro join actresses Brittany Murphy, Charlize Theron, Rosario Dawson and Eva Mendes in ads for "empowerment tag" for the ALDO Fights AIDS campaign. The tags, worn as necklaces or bracelets, go on sale at ALDO stores March 1st and benefit the YouthAIDS initiative.
Endorsements and Projects
Bow Wow has appeared in commercials for (BET) Wrap it up, Twix, Chewits Campbells, and Verbs.
He currently owns his own record label called LBW Entertainment, which is said in records produced after his Wanted album as, "LB DUB GANG". Such records include "Price of Fame", and "Get It In" on his recent 2006 album. Rappers Miss Nana from Newark, NJ and Khleo Thomas are currently signed to this label.