Shad Moss, widely recognized by his stage name Bow Wow, is an American rapper, actor, and television host who rose to prominence as a child star in the early 2000s and successfully transitioned into a multifaceted entertainment career. Born on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, Moss was raised by his mother, Teresa Caldwell, after his father was incarcerated. His early interest in music was fostered by his mother, who encouraged him to pursue his passion for rapping. At the age of six, Moss began performing, and his prodigious talent caught the attention of Snoop Dogg, who helped launch his career by introducing him to record producer Jermaine Dupri. Dupri signed Moss to So So Def Recordings, and under the stage name Lil' Bow Wow, he released his debut album, "Beware of Dog," in 2000. The album was a massive success, propelled by the hit single "Bow Wow (That's My Name)," which featured Snoop Dogg and showcased Moss's charismatic delivery and youthful energy.

Moss's early career was marked by a string of successful albums, including "Doggy Bag" in 2001 and "Unleashed" in 2003, which solidified his status as a leading figure in teen hip-hop. He transitioned to the stage name Bow Wow with the release of his fourth album, "Wanted," in 2005, which featured the hit single "Let Me Hold You" with Omarion. This period also saw Moss expand into acting, starring in films such as Like Mike in 2002, where he played a young orphan who gains basketball skills from a magical pair of sneakers, and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006, where he played the character Twinkie. His acting career continued with roles in Roll Bounce and Hurricane Season, demonstrating his versatility beyond music. Moss also appeared in television shows like The Bernie Mac Show and Smallville, further broadening his appeal.

In the late 2000s and 2010s, Moss's career evolved as he collaborated with prominent artists, including Chris Brown on the 2007 album "Face Off," which produced the hit "Shortie Like Mine." He also worked with Ciara on the single "Like You," and his album "New Jack City II" in 2009 featured collaborations with Trey Songz and J. Cole. Moss's influence extended to reality television when he hosted the BET series 106 & Park from 2005 to 2006, and later appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2011, where he finished in sixth place. In 2014, he starred in the reality show Growing Up Hip Hop on WE tv, offering fans a glimpse into his personal life and his role as a father to his daughter, Shai Moss, whom he shares with his former fiancée Joie Chavis.

Moss's personal life has often been in the public eye, including his high-profile relationship with Erica Mena and a brief engagement to Kiyomi Leslie. Despite these challenges, he has maintained a focus on his career and family. In recent years, Moss has continued to perform and release music, including the 2019 single "Miss My Dawgs," which reflected on his early days in the industry. He has also ventured into podcasting with the show The Shad Moss Show and remained active in philanthropy, supporting causes related to youth education and health. As of 2025, Shad Moss remains a respected figure in entertainment, celebrated for his longevity and ability to reinvent himself from a child star into a mature artist and entrepreneur.