Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow are two of the most successful rappers in the history of hip hop. They have both sold millions of albums, won numerous awards, and starred in movies and TV shows. But are they related by blood? The answer is no, they are not biologically related. However, they do share a strong bond that goes beyond music. Here is the story of how Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow became like family.
Contents
How Snoop Dogg Discovered Bow Wow
Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Moss, was born on March 9, 1987, in Columbus, Ohio. He started rapping at the age of three and performed at local talent shows. When he was six years old, he got the chance of a lifetime when he attended a concert by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre in Los Angeles. He impressed Snoop Dogg with his rap skills and charisma, and the veteran rapper invited him on stage to perform with him. Snoop Dogg was so impressed by the young talent that he gave him the nickname Lil Bow Wow and took him under his wing.
According to AllMusic, Bow Wow began his rap career as Lil Bow Wow, a moniker acquired during his brief relationship with Death Row Records, then the home of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. However, due to the label’s legal troubles and violent reputation, Bow Wow’s mother decided to move him away from Death Row and look for other opportunities.
How Jermaine Dupri Helped Bow Wow’s Career
Bow Wow’s next big break came when he met Jermaine Dupri, the founder of So So Def Recordings and the producer behind many hits by artists such as Kris Kross, Da Brat, Usher, and Mariah Carey. Dupri signed Bow Wow to his label and helped him release his debut album Beware of Dog in 2000, when he was 13 years old. The album was a huge success, selling over three million copies and spawning four singles: “Bounce with Me”, “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)”, “Puppy Love”, and “Ghetto Girls”. Bow Wow also made his acting debut in the movie Like Mike in 2002, playing a young orphan who becomes a basketball star after finding a pair of magical sneakers.
Bow Wow continued to work with Dupri for his next three albums: Doggy Bag (2001), Unleashed (2003), and Wanted (2005). He also dropped the “Lil” from his name, signifying his maturity and growth as an artist. He collaborated with many other rappers and singers, such as Ciara, Omarion, Chris Brown, T-Pain, and Soulja Boy. He also starred in more movies and TV shows, such as Johnson Family Vacation, Roll Bounce, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Entourage, and CSI: Cyber.
How Snoop Dogg Reconnected with Bow Wow
Despite their initial connection, Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow did not work together for many years after Bow Wow left Death Row Records. However, they never lost touch and remained close friends. In 2012, they reunited on the song “What’s My Name Part 2”, a sequel to Snoop Dogg’s classic hit from 1993. The song was featured on Snoop Dogg’s mixtape That’s My Work Vol. 1.
In 2020, Snoop Dogg announced that he had acquired Death Row Records from its previous owners who had filed for bankruptcy. He also revealed that he wanted to executive produce Bow Wow’s final solo album and release it on Death Row Records, bringing their relationship full circle.
According to HipHopDX, Bow Wow confirmed that Snoop Dogg wants to executive produce his final solo album in an interview in March 2021. He said that Snoop Dogg called him on his birthday and told him that they were going to do something big together. He also said that he loves Snoop Dogg and that he is someone who is responsible for his career.
According to REVOLT, Bow Wow also said that he hopes to release his final album on Death Row Records and close his music career out where it began. He said that he wants to do the Dwayne Wade and come home and close it out.
Conclusion
Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow are not related by blood, but they have a rap bond that spans over two decades. They met when Bow Wow was a child prodigy who impressed Snoop Dogg with his talent and charisma. They parted ways when Bow Wow left Death Row Records for So So Def Recordings, where he became a superstar under Jermaine Dupri’s guidance. They reconnected later in their careers and expressed their mutual respect and admiration for each other. They are now planning to work together on Bow Wow’s final solo album and release it on Death Row Records, the label that started it all. Snoop Dogg and Bow Wow are like family, and their rap bond is one of the most enduring and inspiring in hip hop history.
