The story of Bow Wow (formerly known as Lil' Bow Wow) is a truly remarkable tale. Not just another kid rapper, Bow Wow is the new millennium's prince of hip-hop.
An Early Start Bow Wow is a veteran in the rap game. Bow Wow's been singing since he was five years old. The young rapper made his first stage appearance on the Chronic Tour when he was only six, where he impressed rapper Snoop Dogg① with talent well beyond his age. Called back to Snoop's dressing room a few hours later, he was nicknamed Lil' Bow Wow by Snoop, and hired as the opening act for the tour.
Bow Wow Barks up the Right Tree② Since then, Bow Wow has already made guest appearances on Will Smith's “Wild Wild West” and Jermaine Dupri's③ “Big Momma's House.”
In 2000 Lil' Bow Wow released his first CD called “Beware of Dog”, which included the hits “Bow Wow (That's My Name)” and “Bounce with Me”. The cool thing about Lil' Bow Wow is that he doesn't sing profanity—filled lyrics like so many other rap acts do. Another reason to look up to Bow Wow is that he gets good grades in school—even with his crazy schedule.
“He reminds me of a young Michael Jackson,” says Dupri. “When Michael was 6 or 7 years old, he was so mature when it came to his work. But when he was off the stage he was 100% a child. Bow Wow is a real little kid, but when it's time to work he transforms into a grown person. He's one of those gifted children.”
Little NBA Fan One of Bow Wow's favorite things is watching a professional basketball game. Bow Wow is one vocal fan—standing up and yelling. Bow Wow likes Allen Iverson the most and has posters of the NBA player on his wall. He even starred in the movie “Like Mike” in 2002, which tells a story about a 14-year-old orphan becomes an NBA superstar, enjoying himself to the full.
These days in rap, kids don't have any role models. With his neat cornrows and his platinum and diamond Mickey Mouse pendant (a gift from Dupri) swinging around his neck, Bow Wow is ready to be the one. His upbeat tracks will have people swinging their heads from beginning to end.
Do You Know? ①Snoop Dogg：史努比狗狗，本名Calvin Broadus。1994年，史努比狗狗发行了首张专辑《Doggystyle》，大受欢迎，是嘻哈乐界以新人姿态打上Billboard榜榜首的第一人，从此奠定了他西岸帮派嘻哈教父的地位。 ② bark up the wrong tree 这句短语来自开发西部的拓荒者，他们在打猎时放狗将打中的猎物叼回来。可狗有时一糊涂，没看清猎物上了哪棵树，结果对着另一棵树乱叫。因此短语有“找错了门，怪错了人，做出错误的决定”的意思。例：Don't blame me. I have nothing to do with it. You are barking up the wrong tree. 文中作者将“wrong”换成了“right”，意思不言而喻，是指宝娃走对了路子。 ③ Jermaine Dupri：杰梅因·杜普理，歌星珍妮·杰克逊的男友，也是美国著名歌手兼王牌制作人，曾为Mariah Carey, TLC, Snoopy Dogg, Outkast, Usher等人制作过畅销专辑。
