What is Bow Wow’s net worth?
| Net Worth: | $1.5 million |
|---|---|
| Age/Date of Birth: | 37 years old (March 9, 1987) |
| Height: | 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm) |
| Ethnicity/Race: | African American |
| Nationality: | American |
| Wife or Girlfriend: | Joie Chavis (ex-partner) |
| Parents: | Alfonso Preston Moss and Teresa Rena Caldwell |
Bow Wow is an American rapper, actor, and TV show host. In 2013, the “retired” rapper had bankruptcy starring him right in the face. However, thanks to a few gigs, he has managed to build his net worth to $1.5 million.
Despite the foregoing, we can’t help but appreciate his contribution to rap and the hip-hop industry as a whole. Formerly known as “Lil Bow Wow,” the Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta star blossomed before our eyes and rivalled even the biggest names in the industry at the time.
He went from music and delved into acting and TV hosting, recording successes in all he did. His childhood experiences also played a role in the way he turned out. While he shone at the top of his music trade, the rapper saw it all – the good, the bad, and the ugly times – and at the moment, the rapper seems to have steadied his life’s ship – especially financially.
Bow Wow’s Debut Album At Age 13 Set The Stage For His Music Career
Bow Wow was certainly one of the youngest people to hit the American rap scene. At the age of 13, he released his first album “Beware of Dog” in 2000. The album became a double-platinum top ten hit. One of his singles, ‘Bounce with Me’ entered the Guinness Book of World Records, as a song released by the youngest rap star in the history of America’s rap scene. His single, “Let me Hold You” sold about 500,000 ringtones even before the full album was released.
He went on to release 5 more studio albums with include Doggy Bag (2001), Unleashed (2003), Wanted (2005), The Price of Fame (2006), and New Jack City II (2009). All these works recorded several degrees of success, however, no one matched the level of success he enjoyed with his debut album. On December 11, 2007, Bow Wow released a collaborative album with American singer, Omarion titled Face Off.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the hip-hop industry, Bow Wow has a number of nominations and three awards win to his name.
His Award Nominations include:
- 2001 Soul Train Music Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist Award
- 2003 Black Reel Best Breakthrough Performance Award
- 2003 Young Artist Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor – Award
- 2004 Billboard Music Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles – Sales
- 2005 Vibe Coolest Collabo Award
- 2006 Billboard Music Hot Rap Track Award
- 2006 BET Best Collaboration Award
- 2006 MTV Video Music Best Collaboration Award – Japan
- 2006 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Favorite Male Singer Award
- 2007 BET Viewer’s Choice Award
- 2007 Teen Choice Music: Male Artist Award
- 2008 Teen Choice Music: R&B Track Award
- 2008 NAACR Image Outstanding Duo or Group Award
- 2008 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Favorite Male Singer Award
- 2009 Teen Choice Music: Rap Artist Award
His Award wins include:
- 2001 BET Viewer Choice Award
- 2001 Kids Choice Award by Nickelodeon for Favorite Male Singer
- 2001 Billboard Music Award for Rap Single of the Year
He Also Has A Career in Film, TV & Media
Bow Wow is no stranger to the big screen, he has appeared in a number of films, taking leading as well as supporting roles. He made his debut lead role in the 2002 movie Like Mike. He has had roles in other movies including Tyler Perry’s ‘Madea’s Big Happy Family, ‘Lottery Ticket’, ‘Carmen: A Hip Hopera’, ‘Roll Bounce’, ‘Underrated’, ‘Greenlight 5’ and ‘New Jack City Part 2’.
He has also made guest appearances on TV shows, including The Steve Harvey Show and Moesha. He has also appeared on the CBS TV Show, ‘SCI Cyber’ as Brody Nelson. He was the host of the ‘106 & Park’ show between 2012 and 2014. Bow Wow was later cast on HBO’s popular TV series, ‘Entourage’.
A Look At How It Began For Bow Wow
When he began performing, he was called Lil’ Bow Wow – a name that was given to him by ‘uncle’ Snoop Dogg who introduced him on stage at a concert as a kid; but it’s safe to say that the rapper isn’t so ‘Lil’ anymore, probably why he chose to drop the prefix from his rap moniker. It is easy to decipher the star’s age from his birth date which is the 9th of March, 1987.
Born Shad Gregory Moss in Columbus, Ohio, Bow Wow showed rap talent at the tender age of 3. He could rhyme words, something that his mother did not take for granted. She enrolled him in talent contests when he was just four. By age 5, he could repeat lyrics that he heard on TV. Bow Wow has cited rapper Jay-Z and Michael Jackson as some of his influences.
At the ‘Chronic Tour’, his performance caught the attention of already established rapper Snoop Dogg. Snoop hired him as an opening act and gave him the moniker Lil Bow Wow. He later introduced him to producer Jermaine Dupri.
He Confessed To Being Broke in 2012
In 2012, Bow Wow finally admitted that he was a father, revealing that he has a daughter named Shai with his ex-girlfriend, Erica Mena. However, the ‘big reveal’ came after he was ordered by a court to pay $3,000 a month in child support. The rapper was summoned before the courts by his baby mama and in response, Bow Wow confessed to having no money. He claimed he made just $4,000 per month and further said that he leases his Jeep and had just $1,500 in his checking account. Despite his revelation, the court ordered him to pay $11,500 in back child support and another $3,000 every month.
To add to this, TMZ revealed that the rapper owed the IRS $90,000 in back taxes. He also had his luxury vehicles – one of which was a Lamborghini Murcielago – repossessed as he stopped making payments for them. News appeared over the internet that Bow Wow drove his $200,000 Bentley to his agent’s office and begged for money, stating how broke he was. The rapper later denied the rumors.
After he declared himself “broke” in a court, Bow Wow landed a berth as host of BET’s 106 & Park following Terrence J & Rocsi retirement. He played host for two years from 2012 – 2014. Thanks to this and his role in CSI: Cyber, Bow Wow was able to bounce back with his finances. However, the show cancelled in 2016.
Early Retirement From Rap Music
In August 2016, he took to social media to announce his “retirement from rap music”. The rapper wrote; “Retirement only means that it is time for a new adventure” over 10 million sold. This the last one. THANK YOU for the musical journey!”
"Retirement only means that it is time for a new adventure" over 10 million sold. This the last one. THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/XnWldHxYrB
— Bow Wow (@smoss) August 7, 2016
In a series of tweets announcing his retirement in August 2016, Bow Wow revealed: “My last album will be Executive Produced by my uncle Snoop and myself. Since he brought me in the game, it’s only right I involve him and end it with him.”
While his fan base was rattled by his decision to retire so early from the rap game, he also revealed that even though it seemed like a sudden decision for the fans, it wasn’t the case for him as he had always planned to retire from the rap industry before age 30.
So while he hasn’t revealed what his next adventure would be, we have our fingers crossed it will be one that will have a positive effect on his finances.
What We Know About Bow Wow’s Family Life
Bow Wow has never been married to anyone but he has a heavily packed resume when it comes to his relationship with women – with two of them resulting in the birth of a daughter, Shia Moss, and a son whose name is not yet known.
Bursting onto the scene as a fierce rapper at the young age of 13, Bow Wow grew up to become a charming young man to the admiration of many onlookers, especially the ladies. His relationship profile is as rich as they come and on the top of the list is American model and actress, Esther Baxter – who the rapper claims deflowered him when they dated between 2002 to 2003. He dated American songstress, Ciara, from 2004 to 2006 and has since revealed that they were engaged at some point in their relationship.
Another notable name in the mix is Angela Simmons – his co-host on 106 & Park – who he dated in 2013 and in 2014, Bow Wow was involved with Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star, Erica Mena. Most recently, he dated his Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta co-star, Kiyomi Leslie, from 2017 till they had a nasty breakup in February 2019.
Who are Bow Wow’s Baby Mamas? Meet Them
Joie Chavis
Joie Chavis is a model, dancer, and fitness enthusiast who runs a YouTube channel dubbed “Joie in Life” where she shares fitness nuggets and exercise regimens with her over 94,000 subscribers. She dated Bow Wow between 2010 and 2017 and it is her relationship with the rapper that brought her to public reckoning in 2010. By the following year – April 27, 2011 – Chavis, who also owns an athletic clothing line, was again in the news for the birth of Bow Wow’s daughter – Shia.
Although all seems to be well between the Bow Wow and Chavis at the moment they went through a rough patch as Chavis dragged Bow Wow to court over child support which resulted in the latter revealing that he is broke.
Joie Chavis is the mother of two kids; she has a son – Hendrix Wilburn – who is announced his birth in December 2018. The father of the child is said to be American rapper, Future, who has six other children with five different women and who is currently dating Steve Harvey’s stepdaughter, Lori Harvey.
Olivia Sky
This comes as a surprise to lots of Bow Wow’s fans but it was initially rumoured that the rapper had fathered another child with another woman. While it filtered in as a rumor, it began to gain traction as it came to the fore that the rapper was trying to hide the fact from the world.
On September 18, 2020, Instagram model, Olivia Sky, celebrated the birth of her son and put out veiled pointers as to who the father was on Instagram. She went a step further to end the whisperings and revealed Bow Wow as the father of her child. As expected, attention turned to the rapper to respond to the claim, and he eventually did by sharing a freestyle on Instagram with lyrics that all but confirmed he is the father of Sky’s son.
Three days later, he also posted a cute photo of the sleeping child on his Twitter handle with the caption, “Man you gone take all the girls.”
Man you gone take all the girls. ???? pic.twitter.com/tOjqoxQFyu
— Bow Wow (@smoss) September 24, 2020
About His Parents and Relationship With His Father
Bow Wow’s parents encouraged his love for music which has no doubt gotten him to where he is today. His father is Alfonso Preston Moss and his mother is Teresa Rena Caldwell (née Jones). Bow Wow also has a sister, Erica Caldwell. The Like Me actor claims his father was absent from his life and as result, he was estranged from his father and never spoke to him until he became a father himself in 2011.
He has reached out to his father in an attempt to mend the bridge because he would not want to hear that anything bad happens to him as he had forgiven him.
How Tall Is Bow Wow?
Bow Wow’s height is 5 ft 4 inches or 162.6 cm, take a look below for his biodata and other stats
| Profile Summary | |
|---|---|
| First Name: | Shad |
| Last Name: | Moss |
| Also Known As: | Bow Wow. Lil' Bow Wow |
| Sex/Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Rapper, actor, reality television show star |
| Famous For: | for his rap career which he started even before he was 10. He has also become famous for shows like Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta and 106 & Park. |
| Colleges/Universities Attended: | Reynoldsburg High School Hannah J Ashton Middle School Laurel Springs School |
| Educational Qualifications: | Not Available |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Birthday & Zodiac |
|
| Age/Date of Birth: | 37 years old (March 9, 1987) |
| Zodiac Sign: | Pisces |
| Birth Place: | Columbus, Ohio, U.S |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity/Race: | African American |
| Country of Residence: | The United States of America |
| Physical Attributes |
|
| Height: | 5 feet 4 inches (162.6 cm) |
| Weight: | 67 kg (148 pounds) |
| Eye Colour: | Hazel |
| Hair Color: | Black |
| Other Body Measurements: | Chest: 38” (96.5 cm) Waist: 30” (76 cm) Biceps: 12” (30.5 cm) Shoe size: 10 US |
| Relationships | |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Spouse/Partner: | Joie Chavis (ex-partner) |
| Family and Relatives |
|
| Father: | Alfonso Preston Moss |
| Mother: | Teresa Rena Caldwell |
| Children: | 2. A daughter (Shai Moss) and son (name unknown) |
| Siblings: | Erica Caldwell |
| Other Relatives: | Rodney Caldwell- step-father |
| Net Worth | |
| Estimated Net Worth: | $1.5 Million |
| Salary: | Not Available |
| Source of Wealth: | Musical career and showbiz |
