Bow Wow (rapper)
He exploded onto the music scene as a pre-teen rap sensation and successfully navigated the tricky transition to a television and film star.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American rapper and actor·Birthday: March 9·Millennials
Biography
Discovered by Snoop Dogg as a charismatic six-year-old, Shad Moss, known as Bow Wow, was groomed for stardom by Jermaine Dupri. He became a pre-teen phenomenon, selling millions of records with a kid-friendly rap style that made him a staple on MTV's 'Total Request Live'. As he aged out of his 'Lil' Bow Wow' persona, he adeptly shed the prefix and pivoted towards acting. He anchored the popular film franchise 'Like Mike' and later found a new, loyal audience as the star of the CSI spin-off 'CSI: Cyber'. His career is a case study in surviving early fame, continuously adapting his persona to stay relevant across two decades of shifting pop culture.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Bow was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bow Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Bow's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Released his multi-platinum debut album 'Beware of Dog' at the age of 13.
- His single 'Bounce with Me' featuring Xscape reached number one on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart.
- Starred in and performed on the soundtrack for the hit basketball film 'Like Mike'.
- Headlined the television series 'CSI: Cyber' for three seasons, playing a lead forensic investigator.
Did You Know?
He was the first rapper to have a music video premiere on the children's television network Nickelodeon.
Bow Wow hosted the MTV show 'Ridiculousness' as a guest host on multiple occasions.
He performed at the White House for the Easter Egg Roll during the Clinton administration.
He is an avid fan of professional wrestling and has made appearances for WWE.
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