Popular music at the turn of the millennium featured a plethora of teenage stars, and Lil’ Bow Wow was hip-hop’s unusually successful entrant in the teen pop competition. His success has been attributed to both his personal charisma- he reminded some observers of the young Michael Jackson- and to his purely musical talents.
Background
Shad Gregory Moss was born on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, and was raised in nearby Reynoldsburg. He was a middle child, a brother between two sisters. It didn’t take long for his musical talents to surface. “He’d pick up my kitchen utensils and combs and brushes and start rapping,” his mother, Teresa Caldwell, told Jet. By the time he was three it was clear that Shad (the name still used by his friends.
Career
The first rapper, on the other hand, that he listened to was Jay-Z. The year later, he took the front stage at “The Chronic Tour” and impressed rapper Snoop Dogg. It was Dogg who baptized him with the name “Lil’ Bow Wow.” Dogg choose to hire Bow Wow as an opening act and then later introduced him to Jermaine Dupri. Dupri was a producer who guided and helped Bow Wow have a successful career. He started earning when he released his first album, 13 years old then, in 2000 titled Beware of the Dog. This album garnered the double-platinum Top Ten hit, Doggy Bag in 2001 was the second and Unleashed was the third album, however, at this point he dropped the Lil’ in his name. He is said to be the youngest rapper to have a hit single in the USA. He debuted as a guest artist on Snoop Dogg’s album and he was only six years old then. His single “Bounce with Me” was even listed in the Guinness Book of World Records being the youngest rap star in the American history. In 2002, Lil Bow Wow starred his first movie Like Mike. From a singer to an actor, Lil Bow Wow still manages to have a comfortable lifestyle with his $15 million net worth. Several movies that he starred in were The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Johnson Family Vacation and Hurricane Season. Lottery Ticket together with Ice Cube is a comedy film that he starred in 2010. Wow also had a few guest appearances on Moesha and The Steve Harvey Show. Adding to his net worth is the LBW Entertainment which he founded in 2007. He is currently the CEO and president of the aforementioned company that focuses on Hip Hop, Southern Rap, Pop Crunk and R&B. This young man has a lot going on in his hands.
Bow Wow is a born-again Christian and the word on the street is that his mother and step-father are rather devout. However, Bow Wow has admitted to not being comfortable with his religious heritage, writing in his blog:
"For some reason the times i gone to church i feel out of place, like its not for me… Church and religion is something that can’t be forced onto someone. My philosophy is this: I don’t want to practice the word and still be doing the wrong… I don’t want to feel like I’m misusing the church or the lord for the sake of my bad ways".
Politics
Bow Wow cares about politics. He really seems to. But he’s very careful about his words. In 2008 amidst Barack Obama election fever, Bow Wow went on a multi-city campaign to encourage young people to vote. But during the campaign, he explicitly refused to say who he was going to vote for.But everyone knew; they knew.
Later, after Obama won the election, Bow Wow was asked to comment and he said with the wisdom of a man who had been playing in the big leagues since the age of 13:
"For me, color doesn’t matter. It’s all about who does the job right… I wanted the best person to win… I didn’t [vote for Obama] because he was black and I’m black".
But despite his “big tent” approach, Bow Wow doesn’t always see government through rose-colored glasses. He is very concerned that the powers that be manipulate ignorance for their own gain. He tweeted once:
"[The government], they want us to be dumb and not want us to know whats going on. The more clueless we are the better they look".
This tweet is consistent with his “get out and vote” campaign, in which he encouraged youth to get involved. Bow Wow appears to be a true advocate for democracy and an intelligent person. And at such a young age, we could see amazing things come from this guy in the future.
Views
Lil Bow Wow also come across as an independent sort, someone who does not wish to be controlled or dictated to.
Lil Bow Wow has a rather generous, open, broad-minded demeanor, and he likes to do things in a big way. If he does this primarily to impress others, Bow Wow will find that many people prefer to avoid him. Even without meaning to, Shad Gregory Moss can seem a bit arrogant or preachy.
Bright, alert, quick of tongue and/or of movement, there is youthfulness about Bow Wow's manner and appearance regardless of his chronological age. Lil Bow Wow also always appears busy and active, and somewhat restless. Shad Gregory Moss needs mental stimulation from his environment, or he will rapidly get bored.
His family conditions may have been a bit oppressive, adding a note of gravity to Bow Wow's personality. Somewhat insecure, Lil Bow Wow may feel that others restrain him. He has doubts about mankind in general and a fear of failure.
Quotations:
"One day I want to be like Will Smith."
"It`s been a blessing. I can honestly say that Snoop`s been like my big brother. I consider him like blood, like a blood relative cuz that`s like my family right there"
"I can talk to him about anything and it`s just been a blessing to have him by my side and for him to give me my name. To have Snoop be apart of my career is just a wonderful feeling - it`s really great to have a dude like that on your team."
Personality
Lil Bow Wow appears gentle and soft, and he acts rather reserved with others until he knows them well and feels it is safe to be open with them. Bow Wow has a strong need for emotional security and a sense of belonging, and is deeply attached to the past: his heritage, roots, family, cherished friends, familiar places, etc. Making radical changes or moves away from what is familiar and safe can be very painful and difficult for him. Shad Gregory Moss tends to cling to people, memories and possessions of personal or sentimental significance. Having a home, a safe haven, is very important to Shad Gregory Moss.
Shad Gregory Moss approaches life emotionally and subjectively and he is sensitive to the emotional atmosphere, the subtle undercurrents of feeling in and around him. Instinctive and non-rational, Lil Bow Wow is often unable to give a clear, simple explanation for his actions. Something either feels right, or it does not.
His emotions and personal loyalties tend to color Bow Wow's thoughts and opinions. He views life from a very personal perspective and often cannot mentally detach himself from his own personal bias and prejudices. He is apt to be concerned primarily with how something affects him and those dear and close to him, rather than with the principle or the broader social implications. For instance, he may be very patriotic and feel that whatever "my country" does is right without really knowing much about the other nation's policies or point of view. Simply put: if it is good for Bow Wow and his near and dear ones, then it is good. If it is not good for him and his near and dear ones, it is no good.
He is tenaciously loyal, protective, and supportive of those he cares about, and has a very strong nurturing, paternal nature. Lil Bow Wow empathizes with others and intuitively senses the feelings and needs of other people. Compassionate and sympathetic, he is easily moved by others' pain, and Lil Bow Wow is often the one that others seek out when they need comfort, reassurance, or help.
His moods fluctuate and change frequently and he is sometimes open and sometimes withdrawn emotionally. Lil Bow Wow communicates nonverbally and appreciates a person who can pick up subtle cues and hints, rather than having to make everything explicit.
Bow Wow never forgets either kindness or unkindness shown to him.
Shad Gregory Moss may seem unpredictable and unreliable in the way he behaves towards others - or his personal relationships may seem constantly in flux, so that Lil Bow Wow is always a bit off center.
Quotes from others about the person
Alfonso's letter to son
“I want you to know how happy and proud I am of you and your success. I was also blessed that your mother and step-father did an excellent job of raising you to the man you are today. I can also say that I am proud that you have done your best to be a father to your daughter. I don’t want you to have the regrets that I have had for not being in your life more than I have been. Your Grandfather, my Dad, left me at an early age as well, it is time to stop this cycle..."
Interests
Likes to play videogames.
Loves Italian food.
Writers
Walter Dean Myers
Sport & Clubs
Basketball, swimming,Football
Music & Bands
Hip-hop
Connections
Shad Moss is engaged to Erica Mena. (Commenced Dating: 7th March, 2014.Date Engaged: 22nd September, 2014).On July 7, 2011, Bow Wow revealed that he has a child, and had kept it a secret to keep this part of his life private. His family supported him through his choice of music as a career.