The Evolution of Bow Wow

Take a look back at his growth from pup to top dog.

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r  - He ain't so Lil' no more. Believe it or not, Bow Wow has been in the game for over 10 years. He had platinum records before T.I., Kanye or even 50 Cent. He's starred in movies and dated the hottest women in the game. Not bad for a former preteen idol, huh? Today Bow Wow, who's currently working on his Young Money debut, is stopping by 106 & Park to give daps to the Livest Audience. But first, let's take a look back at his growth from pup to top dog. \r \r \r(Photo: Evan Agostini/PictureGroup)

The Evolution of Bow Wow - Bow Wow was born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio.(Photo: Reuters)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - Bow Wow was born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio.(Photo: Reuters)

The Evolution of Bow Wow\r  - While other kids were learning how to tie their shoes, Bow Wow was learning how to rap. When Snoop Dogg came to Columbus on tour in 1993, a 6-year-old Moss managed to get onstage and rhyme. Snoop was blown away — not only did he give Moss his stage name, Lil Bow Wow, but he brought him along to perform on the remaining tour dates.\r \r(Photo: Reuters)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r  - While other kids were learning how to tie their shoes, Bow Wow was learning how to rap. When Snoop Dogg came to Columbus on tour in 1993, a 6-year-old Moss managed to get onstage and rhyme. Snoop was blown away — not only did he give Moss his stage name, Lil Bow Wow, but he brought him along to perform on the remaining tour dates.\r \r(Photo: Reuters)

The Evolution of Bow Wow - The following year, Bow Wow met superstar producer Jermaine Dupri, who guided his development and career early on.  (Photo: Daniel Kern/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - The following year, Bow Wow met superstar producer Jermaine Dupri, who guided his development and career early on.  (Photo: Daniel Kern/Getty Images)

Lil Bow Wow, Beware of Dog - In another example of an album cover thematically following a rap moniker, Lil Bow Wow found himself restraining what looks to be a beast of a black dog on his debut album cover. (Photo: Columbia Records)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r - After years under Dupri's wing, Lil' Bow Wow dropped his debut, Beware of Dog, in 2000. Led by the singles"Bounce With Me" featuring Xscape, the chart-topping "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" featuring Snoop Dogg, and "Puppy Love," the album went on to sell three million copies and immediately established Bow Wow as a superstar.\r(Photo: Columbia Records)

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Like Mike, Tuesday at 12:30P/11:30C - Everyone wants to be a great b-baller. Encore on Wednesday at 9:30A/8:30C.  | TOP 15 BLACK SPORTS FILMS |   (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - Bow Wow started his acting career early on, landing a role on the hit sitcom Moesha before making a big leap to his first big-screen starring role in the 2002 film Like Mike. (Photo: Twentieth Century Fox)

The Evolution of Bow Wow - Bow Wow matured quickly after his debut. He dropped the "Lil" from his name in 2002 and released his third album, 2003's Unleashed, without the guidance of long-time mentor Jermaine Dupri. On top of all that, he started dating Ciara; the couple released the hit duet "Like You" in 2005 before breaking up the following year. (Photo: Columbia Records) 

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - Bow Wow matured quickly after his debut. He dropped the "Lil" from his name in 2002 and released his third album, 2003's Unleashed, without the guidance of long-time mentor Jermaine Dupri. On top of all that, he started dating Ciara; the couple released the hit duet "Like You" in 2005 before breaking up the following year. (Photo: Columbia Records) 

Roll Bounce, Saturday at 5P/4C - It's smooth sailing for Shad Moss. Encore on Sunday at 2P/1C.  (Photo: FOX Searchlight Pictures) 

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - At the same time Bow Wow was topping the R&B and rap charts with "Like You," he starred in another successful film, the roller-rink throwback Roll Bounce.  (Photo: Fox Searchlight)

The Evolution of Bow Wow\r - Bow Wow maintained his delicate balance of film star and music star with his 2006 album Price of Fame, which went gold. The same year, he landed a big role in the hit racing film Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. \r \r(Photo: Columbia Records)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r - Bow Wow maintained his delicate balance of film star and music star with his 2006 album Price of Fame, which went gold. The same year, he landed a big role in the hit racing film Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. \r \r(Photo: Columbia Records)

The Evolution of Bow Wow - In 2007 Bow teamed with R&B singer Omarion to deliver the Best of Both Worlds themed album, Face Off. The LP peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Rap charts.  (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - In 2007 Bow teamed with R&B singer Omarion to deliver the Best of Both Worlds themed album, Face Off. The LP peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Rap charts.  (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r - Bow Wow took the lead in the Ice Cube-produced comedy Lottery Ticket in 2010. Though not a box-office smash the film provided some laughs with a cast that included Charlie Murphy, Brandon T. Jackson, Mike Epps, T-Pain, Terry Crews, Teairra Mari, Naturi Naughton and Ice Cube.

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The Evolution of Bow Wow\r - Bow Wow took the lead in the Ice Cube-produced comedy Lottery Ticket in 2010. Though not a box-office smash the film provided some laughs with a cast that included Charlie Murphy, Brandon T. Jackson, Mike Epps, T-Pain, Terry Crews, Teairra Mari, Naturi Naughton and Ice Cube.

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - Need proof Bow Wow wasn't "Lil" anymore? Last year he revealed that he had a new daughter, Shai. (Photo: X17Online.com)

The Evolution of Bow Wow - Even after 12 years in the game, Bow Wow, now 24 years old, has some big moves ahead of him. After signing to Lil Wayne's Young Money in 2009, Bow Wow is prepping his seventh album, Underrated, which is set to feature big dogs including Birdman, Boyz II Men, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Fabolous, Game, Lil Wayne, Lloyd Banks, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill, Nas, Nelly, Nicki Minaj, Sean Kingston, Snoop Dogg, Styles P and Talib Kweli.  (Photo: Soren McCarty/WireImage/Getty Images)

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The Evolution of Bow Wow - Even after 12 years in the game, Bow Wow, now 24 years old, has some big moves ahead of him. After signing to Lil Wayne's Young Money in 2009, Bow Wow is prepping his seventh album, Underrated, which is set to feature big dogs including Birdman, Boyz II Men, Chris Brown, DJ Khaled, Fabolous, Game, Lil Wayne, Lloyd Banks, Justin Bieber, Meek Mill, Nas, Nelly, Nicki Minaj, Sean Kingston, Snoop Dogg, Styles P and Talib Kweli.  (Photo: Soren McCarty/WireImage/Getty Images)