Bow Wow Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Bow Wow’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $1.5 million, Bow Wow is an American rapper and actor. At just 13 years old, he made a significant impact in the music industry with the release of his debut album, gaining fame under the name “Lil’ Bow Wow.” Following his musical success, Bow Wow transitioned into acting.

Legal and Financial Issues

In July 2011, Bow Wow announced he had a daughter named Shai with his ex-girlfriend after months of speculation. During a court hearing in October 2012 regarding child support for Shai, he disclosed to the judge that he was earning only $4,000 monthly and had a mere $1,500 in his checking account at that time. Ultimately, Bow Wow was mandated to pay $11,500 in back child support along with $3,000 monthly going forward.

Previously, TMZ reported that Bow Wow owed over $90,000 to the IRS. Additionally, it was revealed that in recent years, various creditors had repossessed both his $200,000 Bentley and $220,000 Ferrari. Furthermore, there were claims that he still owed $280,000 to a luxury car leasing company.

Early Life

Born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9th, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, Bow Wow began writing his own raps by age six, performing under the name “Kid Gangsta.” Early musical influences for Moss included groups like N.W.A. During his formative years, he had the opportunity to perform on stage in Los Angeles, where he caught the attention of Snoop Dogg, who was in the audience that day. Impressed by the young rapper, Snoop Dogg introduced him as “Lil’ Bow Wow,” a name that became synonymous with his brand.

Career

At that time, Snoop Dogg had not yet released a debut album, but he invited Lil’ Bow Wow to collaborate on a track. The album, “Doggystyle,” launched in late 1993, included the track “Gz and Hustlas,” marking Bow Wow’s initial experience in professional music. Shortly after, he made an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” which further increased his visibility.

Five years later, he crossed paths with Jermaine Dupri, a producer who dedicated himself to refining the then 11-year-old rapper’s talents. After creating a track for the “Wild Wild West” soundtrack in 1999, Lil’ Bow Wow was poised to release his debut album at the age of 13 in 2000. Named “Beware of the Dog,” the album featured hits like “Bounce With Me” and “Bow Wow,” the latter including a collaboration with Snoop Dogg, who continued to support the young artist. The album was a remarkable success, selling over 2 million copies within its first year and eventually achieving sales of more than 3 million copies, earning platinum certification.

In 2002, Lil’ Bow Wow made two important decisions: he changed his stage name to “Bow Wow” and released his second album, “Doggy Bag.” When questioned about his name change, Bow Wow mentioned the oversaturation of rappers with the “Lil” prefix and expressed feelings of maturity. “Doggy Bag” performed admirably, reaching number eleven on the Billboard Top 200 and also earning platinum certification. Notable tracks from the album included “Take Ya Home.” That same year, Bow Wow also produced the song “Basketball,” featured on the “Like Mike” soundtrack.

In 2003, “Unleashed” was released by Bow Wow, featuring collaborations from artists like Birdman, Mario, and Amerie. Despite mixed reviews, the album achieved a peak position of number three on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 129,000 copies in its first week. Following that, Bow Wow dropped “Wanted” in 2005, which included collaborations with various artists, notably Omarion. “Wanted” also debuted at number three on the Billboard Top 200, selling 120,000 units during its opening week. Next came “The Price of Fame” in 2006, featuring artists Chris Brown and T-Pain, which made an impressive debut at number six on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 262,000 copies in its first week.

In 2007, Bow Wow created a collaborative album alongside Omarion, then in 2009 he released “New Jack City II.” This album was distinct in that it bore a parental advisory warning, due to its exploration of themes like drug use. That same year, he signed with Cash Money Records, marking a significant turning point for Bow Wow’s music career. Over the subsequent years, while he contributed to other artists’ tracks and released mixtapes, his much-anticipated next album was continually announced and delayed without eventual release. Ultimately, Bow Wow reverted to his birth name, Shad Moss, and parted ways with Cash Money Records prior to releasing any albums with them.

Despite later signing with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, Bow Wow announced he planned to retire from rap after one final album called “NYLTH.” However, as of May 2023, fans expressed disappointment over the album’s continued absence. Nevertheless, in 2016, Shad Moss collaborated with Soulja Boy on a mixtape.

Acting/Hosting Career

Bow Wow attributed a part of his decision to step back from music to the growing focus on his acting and hosting career. From the onset of his music career, he had been acting, making his debut in the 2002 film “Like Mike.” One of his standout performances was in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” He has also appeared in numerous television series, including “Smallville” and “Entourage,” and reprised his role as Twinkie for the 2021 film “F9.”

In addition to acting, Bow Wow has carved out a notable career as a television personality and host. He took on the role of host for BET’s “106 and Park” in 2013, a position that came to an end with its cancellation in 2014. In 2016, he began hosting “RnB Friday Nights,” an Australian show.

Personal Life

Previously engaged to Erica Mena, Bow Wow has a daughter named Shai Moss with Joie Chavis. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, alongside his mother.