Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bow Wow’s Net Worth?
As of February 2025, Bow Wow, the American rapper and actor, has an estimated net worth of $1.5 million. This figure reflects his earnings from a career spanning music and acting, though financial difficulties have impacted his overall wealth.
Early Career and Musical Success
Born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, Bow Wow’s journey into the music industry began at a young age. By age six, he was already crafting his own raps under the moniker “Kid Gangsta,” drawing early influences from groups like N.W.A. His talent caught the attention of Snoop Dogg during a performance in Los Angeles, who christened him “Lil’ Bow Wow.”
In 1993, Bow Wow made his professional debut on Snoop Dogg’s album “Doggystyle,” featuring on the track “Gz and Hustlas.” This exposure led to an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” increasing his visibility. It wasn’t until five years later that he met Jermaine Dupri, who significantly shaped his early career. This collaboration led to a track on the “Wild Wild West” soundtrack in 1999.
Bow Wow released his debut album, “Beware of the Dog,” in 2000 at the age of 13. The album, featuring hits like “Bounce With Me” and “Bow Wow” (with Snoop Dogg), achieved significant commercial success. Within a year, it sold over 2 million copies. Ultimately, “Beware of the Dog” surpassed 3 million copies in sales, earning platinum certification. The success of this album marked a significant milestone in his young career.
In 2002, he dropped the “Lil'” from his stage name and released his second album, “Doggy Bag.” This album peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Top 200 and achieved platinum certification. Notable tracks included “Take Ya Home.” Another notable track in 2002 was “Basketball,” featured on the “Like Mike” soundtrack, which was released by Sony Music Entertainment.
Bow Wow’s third album, “Unleashed,” was released in 2003, featuring collaborations with artists such as Birdman, Mario, and Amerie. While reviews were mixed, the album peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200, selling 129,000 units in its first week. His “Wanted” album followed in 2005, similarly debuting at number three on the Billboard Top 200 with 120,000 units sold in its first week, featuring Omarion.
“The Price of Fame” was released in 2006, featuring collaborations with Chris Brown and T-Pain. The album debuted at number six on the Billboard Top 200, with impressive first-week sales of 262,000 copies. After a collaborative album with Omarion in 2007, Bow Wow released “New Jack City II” in 2009, his first album to include a parental advisory warning due to its exploration of themes such as drug use. In the same year, Bow Wow signed to Cash Money Records, but never released an album under the label.
Though he featured on tracks by other artists and released mixtapes, Bow Wow’s anticipated album remained unreleased, leading him to revert to his real name, Shad Moss. He later signed with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records before announcing his retirement from rap after one final album, “NYLTH,” which as of May 2023, remained unreleased. Bow Wow did collaborate with Soulja Boy on a mixtape in 2016. These changes and shifting record label affiliations have undoubtedly impacted his earnings and, consequently, his net worth.
Acting and Hosting Career Contributions to Net Worth
Bow Wow transitioned his focus to acting and hosting, complementing his musical endeavors. His acting career began in 2002 with “Like Mike,” followed by a role in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” He also appeared in television shows such as “Smallville” and “Entourage” and reprised his role as Twinkie in 2021’s “F9.” These roles have contributed to his overall income.
His career as a TV personality includes hosting BET’s “106 and Park” in 2013 before its cancellation in 2014. In 2016, Bow Wow began hosting “RnB Friday Nights,” an Australian show. His work in television has provided additional income streams, helping to bolster his net worth.
Legal and Financial Challenges Affecting Bow Wow’s Net Worth
Bow Wow’s financial situation has been complicated by legal issues. In July 2011, he confirmed he had a daughter, Shai, with his ex-girlfriend after initially denying it. In a 2012 court case regarding child support, he stated he earned only $4,000 a month and had $1,500 in his checking account. He was ordered to pay $11,500 in back child support and $3,000 a month going forward. This financial strain would have had a negative impact on his net worth.
Reports also surfaced in 2011 that Bow Wow owed over $90,000 to the IRS. Additionally, reports indicated that a $200,000 Bentley and a $220,000 Ferrari were repossessed by creditors, and he allegedly owed $280,000 to a luxury car leasing company. These financial difficulties have significantly affected his net worth.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Bow Wow was previously engaged to Erica Mena and has a daughter, Shai Moss, with Joie Chavis. He resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his mother. While specific details about his Atlanta residence are not publicly available, real estate holdings generally contribute to an individual’s net worth, though without specific information, this cannot be quantified.
