Bow Wow

With one of the earliest debuts in rap history, Lil Bow Wow got his career break when he was barely six years old. The precocious youngster was attending the Chronic Tour (featuring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre) when he jumped on stage during a break and began rapping. His skills caught the eye of Snoop Dogg and he invited Bow Wow, who at this point was still known by his birth name, Shad Moss, backstage. Snoop knew talent when he saw it and flew Lil Bow Wow to Los Angeles with him the very next day. He gave Bow Wow his dog family name and let Bow Wow rap on his next album, Bow Wow appeared on the albums of several more big rap names and Snoop tried to arrange a solo album for his little prodigy on Suge Knight's Death Row Records. However, things didn't get off the ground until Bow Wow hooked up with Jermaine Dupri and his So So Def label. Dupri, along with female rap star Da Brat, helped write and produce Bow Wow's debut, "Beware Of Dog." The album spawned the massive hit "Bounce With Me" which was the #1 rap single for eight weeks in 2000. It was also featured on the "Big Momma's House" soundtrack. Bow Wow toured and made several television and award show appearances and his popularity skyrocketed. Though he was only 13 at this point, Bow Wow still appeared young for his age and his wholesome songs made him a parent-approved idol for young girls. "Beware of Dog" went multi-platinum and scenes of teenagers screaming for the young star became commonplace.

Bow Wow did not rest on these new found laurels, but instead set out to prove he was not a fly-by-night phenomenon. In late 2001 he followed up his debut and released "Doggy Bag," which also provided a string of catchy hits. And at the ripe age of 15, Bow Wow made his film debut, starring in the movie "Like Mike" as a boy with a magic pair of sneakers that allow him to play NBA basketball. Several NBA stars made appearances in the film and it was well received as a good family picture. While no one was whispering "Oscar," Bow Wow received favorable reviews for his performance as the lucky orphan whose magic shoes helped him realize his dreams. When looking at the success Bow Wow has found in his own life, one can't help but wonder if he too owns a pair of magic sneakers somewhere; he followed up that role with a starring turn in the popular but uninspired comedy "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004), an African American spin on the Chevy Chase "Vacation" films of the 1980s.