At only age 13, Bow Wow made his rap debut on Beware of Dog (2000), a double-platinum Top Ten hit, and though he struggled to rival such breakout success in the years that followed, he persevered impressively, maturing as an artist (as well as a man) and releasing a series of albums that met varying degrees of commercial success. In addition to his music career, Bow Wow also found regular work in Hollywood, beginning with Like Mike (2002), a star vehicle for which he recorded a soundtrack. Successive film appearances included Johnson Family Vacation (2004), Roll Bounce (2005), and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006).
Born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, OH, Bow Wow began his rap career as Lil Bow Wow, a moniker acquired during his brief relationship with Death Row Records, then the home of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. A subsequent relationship with Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def label proved more fruitful for Bow Wow. Under the guidance of Dupri — who had previously guided other kid rappers, namely Kris Kross and Da Brat, to mainstream success — and songwriter/producer Bryan-Michael Cox, the young rapper was primed for success.