Net Worth Ranker
What Is Bow Wow’s Net Worth?
Bow Wow, born Shad Gregory Moss on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio, has carved out a multifaceted career in both the music and entertainment industries. Starting his journey as “Kid Gangsta” at age six, Bow Wow’s early exposure to rap music, including influences like N.W.A., set the stage for his future endeavors. His net worth is currently estimated at $1.5 million.
Early Career and Musical Success
Bow Wow’s career took off after a performance in Los Angeles where he caught the attention of Snoop Dogg, who christened him “Lil’ Bow Wow.” In 1993, he was featured on Snoop Dogg’s debut album, “Doggystyle,” on the track “Gz and Hustlas,” marking his entry into professional music. This initial exposure led to an appearance on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” increasing his visibility.
In 1999, Jermaine Dupri began working with Bow Wow, leading to the release of his debut album, “Beware of the Dog,” in 2000. The album, featuring hits such as “Bounce With Me” and “Bow Wow” (featuring Snoop Dogg), sold over 2 million copies within a year and eventually surpassed 3 million, achieving platinum status. This early success established Bow Wow as a significant figure in the rap scene.
In 2002, he transitioned from “Lil’ Bow Wow” to “Bow Wow” and released his second album, “Doggy Bag,” which peaked at number eleven on the Billboard Top 200 and also earned platinum certification. The album included tracks like “Take Ya Home.” Additionally, his track “Basketball” appeared on the “Like Mike” soundtrack, further broadening his audience.
Subsequent albums included “Unleashed” in 2003, which featured collaborations with artists such as Birdman, Mario, and Amerie, and “Wanted” in 2005, with collaborations including Omarion. Both albums debuted at number three on the Billboard Top 200, with “Unleashed” selling 129,000 units in its first week and “Wanted” selling 120,000 units. In 2006, “The Price of Fame,” featuring Chris Brown and T-Pain, debuted at number six on the Billboard Top 200, selling 262,000 copies in its first week.
After a collaborative album with Omarion in 2007, Bow Wow released “New Jack City II” in 2009, marking a shift towards more mature themes and a parental advisory warning. During this time, he signed with Cash Money Records. Although he worked on various tracks and mixtapes, his next album was continuously delayed. Bow Wow eventually reverted to his real name, Shad Moss, and left Cash Money Records without releasing an album. He later signed with P. Diddy’s Bad Boy Records and announced his retirement from rap after releasing one more album, titled “NYLTH,” which as of March 2025, remains unreleased. In 2016, he collaborated with Soulja Boy on a mixtape.
Acting and Hosting Career
Bow Wow has also built a career in acting and hosting. His acting debut was in the 2002 film “Like Mike.” One of his most recognizable roles was in “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” He also appeared in television shows such as “Smallville” and “Entourage.” He reprised his role as Twinkie in 2021’s “F9.”
In 2013, Bow Wow became the host of BET’s “106 and Park,” which was canceled in 2014. In 2016, he began hosting “RnB Friday Nights,” an Australian show, adding to his portfolio as a TV personality.
Financial and Legal Issues
In July 2011, Bow Wow acknowledged fathering a child named Shai with his ex-girlfriend. During a court case in October 2012 concerning child support, he claimed to earn $4,000 a month and have $1,500 in his checking account. He was ordered to pay $11,500 in back child support and $3,000 a month thereafter. These financial disclosures provide insight into his financial situation at that time.
Prior to this, TMZ reported that Bow Wow owed over $90,000 to the IRS. Additionally, he reportedly had a $200,000 Bentley and a $220,000 Ferrari repossessed by creditors, and owed $280,000 to a luxury car leasing company. These incidents reflect a period of financial challenges that impacted his net worth.
Personal Life
Bow Wow was previously engaged to Erica Mena. He has a daughter, Shai Moss, with Joie Chavis. Bow Wow currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with his mother. These personal details add context to his life outside of his professional endeavors.
