Bow Wow

March 9, 2025

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Shad Gregory Moss, better known as Bow Wow, was born on March 9, 1987. His career as a rapper and an actor was fruitful as he had several hit singles and albums. His journey from his days of struggling to make it big is also inspirational for people who are making a name for themselves in the industry. Moss has been able to balance his life — both as a musician and as an actor. His music became more R&B and pop-oriented, but he continued with the same intensity with which he started his career. Though now retired, it was a hell of a ride.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Shad Gregory Moss

Nickname:

Bow Wow, Lil’ Bow Wow, Kid Gangsta

Birth date:

March 9, 1987

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Pisces

Height:

5' 3"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$1.5 million

Background

Shad Gregory Moss, better known as Bow Wow, is a rapper and actor who has had a successful career in both the music industry and Hollywood. He grew up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan, with his mother and sister. His acting career began at the age of six when he starred in a commercial for “Nintendo.” He first became known as a rapper at the age of 14 when he released his debut album “Beware of Dog” under the stage name Lil’ Bow Wow. The album sold more than three million copies worldwide and spawned three consecutive Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: ‘Bounce with Me,’ ‘Take Ya Home,’ and ‘Thank You.’ This first album “Beware of Dog” was released in 2000 by Sony Music Entertainment, Inc. It was released under a joint venture between Universal Records and So So Def Recordings.

His second album “Unleashed” sold one million copies within its first week of release in 2003, making it his most successful album to date. It spawned two singles that reached number one on the Hot Rap Tracks chart: ‘Baby, Mama,’ ‘Knock You Out,’ and ‘Lemme Get That’ as well as the number one hit single ‘My Doggie.’ His third album “Doggy Bag” sold 1.27 million copies within its first week of release in 2004. It was his second most successful album to date and spawned two Top 10 hits on the Billboards charts.

Between 2006 and 2008, Moss hosted the “BET” television series —“106 & Park”. It’s been a long and winding road for the rapper, who has seen success and failure in equal measure over the years. Through it all, he’s always kept his sense of humor and maintained his loyal fan base.

Career timeline

1993

The Rap Scene Entry

Moss performs in Los Angeles, where he is discovered by Snoop Dogg himself.

2000

The Debut Album

At the age of 14, Moss releases his debut album “Beware of Dog.”

2002

He Drops “Lil’” From his Name

Moss says he is no longer a little boy and that he can compete with the masters — he feels that the title "Lil'" is restricting and so drops it.

2006

The Supporting Role

Moss lands a supporting role in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise where he plays Twinkle.

2009

The First Retirement Announcement

Moss announces that he is retiring from rapping as he wants to focus on his acting career then releases his

2009

He Releases his Last Album

The same year Moss releases his last album — “New Jack City II” — through “Columbia Records.”

Why We Love Bow Wow

He is now living a peaceful life
After nine years of a successful music career, Moss decided he would retire from rapping. We know these decisions are tough to make, but this shows honesty with himself and with his fans.
He is very intelligent
Moss was an excellent student at school and had good grades. In some way, he breaks the stereotype of his industry.
His juvenile fame
Moss is living proof that a gifted kid can compete with the heavyweights. And he deservedly won a place among the best rappers of his generation.

5 Surprising Facts

Snoop Dogg ‘baptized’ him
Snoop Dogg gave Moss his stage name after noticing him at a concert in 1993.
He began rapping when he was six
Moss was educated in music; he was born with that passion and has loved it since he was a baby.
He is afraid of dogs
A Dogg named him ‘Bow Wow’ and yet he is afraid of dogs, Moss has said in an interview that he likes canines when they are far away.
Youngest rapper to top the charts
His 2000 album “Beware of Dog” was released when he was only 14 years old and it became the number one song according to “Billboard 200.”
He owned a clothing shop
In his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Moss had his brand of clothing.