Bow Wow Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What is Bow Wow’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $1.5 million, Bow Wow, an American rapper and actor, garnered immense popularity in the music scene upon releasing his debut album at just 13 years old. During that period, he went by the name “Lil’ Bow Wow.” After establishing himself in music, Bow Wow took on acting roles.

Legal and Financial Issues

In July 2011, after months of speculation, Bow Wow admitted to fathering a child, Shai, with his ex-girlfriend. During an October 2012 court hearing about child support for Shai, Bow Wow claimed his income was only $4,000 each month, with just $1,500 in his checking account. Consequently, he was mandated to pay $11,500 in overdue child support, plus $3,000 monthly thereafter.

A year prior, TMZ uncovered that Bow Wow had a tax debt exceeding $90,000 owed to the IRS. They also reported that he had lost both a $200,000 Bentley and a $220,000 Ferrari to repossession by various creditors in recent years. Additionally, Bow Wow reportedly still had an outstanding balance of $280,000 owed to a luxury vehicle leasing company.

Early Life

Bow Wow, born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, began writing his own raps at just six years old under the moniker “Kid Gangsta.” Influenced by groups such as N.W.A during his childhood, Bow Wow got the opportunity to perform in Los Angeles. Notably, Snoop Dogg was in attendance and was captivated by the young performer’s skills. After the event, Snoop Dogg met with Moss, giving him the name “Lil’ Bow Wow,” a title that he would carry forward into his career.

Career

At the time, Snoop Dogg had yet to debut his own album and invited Lil’ Bow Wow to collaborate on a track. The album “Doggystyle” was released in late 1993, featuring Lil’ Bow Wow on “Gz and Hustlas,” marking his first foray into professional music. Following this, he made an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” further boosting his popularity.

It would be five years before he encountered Jermaine Dupri, a producer who played a significant role in developing the 11-year-old talent. After contributing a track to the “Wild Wild West” soundtrack in 1999, Lil’ Bow Wow was ready to debut his album in 2000 at age 13. Titled “Beware of the Dog,” the album included hits like “Bounce With Me” and “Bow Wow,” the latter featuring Snoop Dogg. This track climbed to the top of the rap charts, reinforcing the partnership between the two artists. The debut album performed extraordinarily well, selling over 2 million copies in its first year, and ultimately exceeded 3 million copies sold, securing its platinum status.

In 2002, Lil’ Bow Wow made two significant changes: he dropped the “Lil” from his name, becoming simply “Bow Wow,” and released his second album titled “Doggy Bag.” When questioned about his name change, Bow Wow stated that the “Lil” prefix had become too common among rappers, and he felt he was maturing. “Doggy Bag” achieved considerable success, peaking at number eleven on the Billboard Top 200 and achieving platinum status again. The album included popular tracks like “Take Ya Home.” Another notable song released by Bow Wow in 2002 was “Basketball,” featured in the “Like Mike” soundtrack.

In 2003, Bow Wow released the album “Unleashed,” which included collaborations with artists like Birdman, Mario, and Amerie. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 129,000 units in its debut week. In 2005, Bow Wow followed up with “Wanted,” which featured several collaborators, including Omarion. Similar to “Unleashed,” “Wanted” debuted at number three on the Billboard Top 200 and sold 120,000 units in its first week. Then came “The Price of Fame” in 2006, featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, which debuted at number six on the Billboard Top 200, impressively selling 262,000 copies in its opening week.

Following a collaborative album with Omarion in 2007, Bow Wow released “New Jack City II” in 2009. This marked his first album to contain a parental advisory warning due to its exploration of themes like drug use. Later that year, he signed with Cash Money Records, which ultimately marked the beginning of a decline in his musical career. Although he collaborated with other artists and released several mixtapes in the following years, he repeatedly announced and postponed his next album, which never materialized. Eventually, Bow Wow reverted to using his real name, Shad Moss, and departed from Cash Money Records without releasing an album under them.

After eventually signing with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, he announced his intention to retire from rap after one final album titled “NYLTH.” As of May 2023, fans expressed disappointment over the album’s continued absence. However, in 2016, Shad Moss did collaborate with Soulja Boy on a mixtape.

Acting/Hosting Career

One of the reasons Bow Wow chose to move away from music was his increasing focus on his career in acting and hosting. However, his acting endeavors began concurrently with his music career, starting…

He made his debut in 2002 with the film “Like Mike.” A significant role in his career was featured in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” Additionally, he has appeared in various television series, including “Smallville” and “Entourage.” In 2021, he returned to reprise his role as Twinkie in “F9.”

Bow Wow has also built a considerable career as a TV host and personality. In 2013, he took on the role of host for BET’s “106 and Park,” although the show was canceled the following year, in 2014. In 2016, Bow Wow began hosting “RnB Friday Nights,” a show originating from Australia.

Personal Life

Previously, Bow Wow was engaged to Erica Mena. He shares a daughter, Shai Moss, with Joie Chavis. Currently, Bow Wow resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his mother.