Bow Wow, formerly known as Lil Bow Wow is set to release his fourth studio album on July 12th. Wanted reunites Bow Wow and Jermaine Dupri. Bow Wow has been in the game for some time now. He released his first album, Beware of Dog in September of 2000.

In addition to his music career, Bow Wow also has been making noise on the big screen. He was the star of the movie Like Mike and he played a supporting role in the 2004 film Johnson Family Vacation. In addition to those films he also had small parts in the films All About The Benjamin's and Carmen-A Hip Hop Opera. Bow Wow also started his own clothing line-named Shago Clothing---and he did all of this before he turned 18. Bow Wow is now 18, and the first single from his 4th studio album "Let Me Hold You," featuring Omarion is doing quite well. My interview with Bow Wow was cool, he talks kind of fast so I was glad I had the taper recorder going!

Discuss this interview in the forum

How are you doing?
Bow Wow-I'm good, I can't even complain.

Cool. I'm from Thabiz.com and I write for the Teen section at Bellaonline.com, so some of my questions are fan submitted questions. Do you ever perform at schools?
Bow Wow--Ummm…I'm not sure. It's something I haven't even thought about. No one has brought it up to my attention but I would though.

Wanted is the new album, does it come out tomorrow?
Bow Wow--Yeah.

When does the Scream 4 Tour start?
Bow Wow--Next week.

So have you been rehearsing a lot for the tour?
Bow Wow---Yeah, we've been rehearsing. Actually I am going to be up here in New York for three more days and they when are driving to Trenton, New Jersey that's where the first show kicks off.

Now your voice changed since the last album to this album. Did you have any concerns that people might hear the song and not know it was you?
Bow Wow--Not at all. I don't never have that problem. I'm done. My voice is done growing. I'm done with that. Not at all. The ladies like the voice. .

Speaking of the ladies, do you ever have any fans that take things too far?
Bow Wow--Of course. That is..those are Bow Wow fans. It wouldn't even be right if they didn't do that. I love my fans to death. I wouldn't trade my fans in for anything in the world. I wouldn't change it for the world either.

When it comes to the media do you ever feel like they invade your private life too much?
Bow Wow--Of course, all the time.

Just this past weekend I saw the movie Johnson Family Vacation. When did you film that movie?
Bow Wow--Yeah, I filmed that like 2 years ago.

Do you have any similarities to your character in the film?
Bow Wow-No. Not at all. DJ, well I guess I do. He was an aspiring rapper, he was influenced by hip-hop culture and that's how I am. I am definitely inspired by hip-hop culture. That's what I represent, it's just a movement, so I guess you can say that.

Here is another fan submitted question. Were you and Lil Romeo every friends?
Bow Wow-Yeah, you know. I wouldn't really say friends but I conversate with dude on the phone every now and then and we ball or whatever. It's just simple like that.

Back in the day you used to dance a lot. Are you going to be doing any dancing on this tour?
Bow Wow-Hey-They gotta check it out man. They gotta check it out. They gotta check it out.
What can you tell me about the new album? Bow Wow -This new album is just crazy. It's a new me, it's a whole new day. Man..it's just nonstop. Nonstop. My lyrical content has changed. Everything I have talked about is totally different as opposed what people are used to hearing. I think it's something they have to get used to. Man, it's just different. This album is just definitely, definitely different. I hope that they can adjust to it.

I know you have Omarion on the first single. Do you have any other guest artists on the album?
Bow Wow-Yeah of course. My girl Ciara of course she's on the album. My big brother Jermaine Dupri. My other big brother Snoop Dogg. J-Kwon, and the list just goes on and on and on.

Here is another fan submitted question. Did you get to see the episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen with Cee-Lo's daughter?
Bow Wow-Yeah I did. I checked it out.

Listen to Bow Wow discuss the album and more

How is the Shago clothing line coming along?
Bow Wow-Well actually I stopped it. Now this is going to shock a lot of people. Roc-A-Wear is sponsoring me now for the tour. A lot of people are going to be seeing a lot of Roc-A-Wear and me wearing a lot of Roc-A-Wear clothing. I met with Dame, Dame Dash, we came to an agreement. Me and him, we've been talking. I brought it upon Dames attention that I wanted Roc-A-Wear to sponsor me and my crew. And that's what we decided so hopefully we can do some business with Roc-A-Wear in the future. That's what we are aiming for.

Are you finished with high school?
Bow Wow- yeah I'm done.

Are you going to do your music now or are you ever going to go to college?
Bow Wow-Umm…honestly probably not. I really look at college as a far as that next step in life, what are you going to do with yourself, and I already know what I am going to do with my life. I'm blessed as an individual and as a young man. This has always been a dream of mine. I wish I did have the time. If I had the time I probably would do it. But college really prepares you for what you want to do in life and I have became what I want to become, so I don't want anyone to take it like, "Bow Wow says don't go to college or anything like that." That's just my opinion, just one person. That's just how I'm thinking. I don't want anybody else, especially those parents to put that all on me. Don't do that.

Okay since you said you know what you want to do will you share with us what you plan to do in life? Bow Wow-Since you have it all planned out. Bow Wow -Just continue in film and music and stay blessed and stay humble and stay myself.

Do you have any more movies coming up soon?
Bow Wow-Yes, a brand new movie called "Roll Bounce" so they can get ready for that.

Do you still play basketball, I think you answered that already..
Bow Wow-Yeah I do.

Do you know what the second single is on the album?
Bow Wow-Yes, I do. It's called "I Like You," with Ciara.

Do you ever get on the Internet and chat with your fans?
Bow Wow-I do. We have like chats we do sometimes that they are set up, yes. It's only right that I do so.


Discuss this interview in the forum

For more details visit http://www.lilbowwow.com


Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, thabiz.com July 2005.