Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9, 1987) is an American rapper and actor. He released his debut album Beware of Dog at age 13, then under the stage name Lil’ Bow Wow, which he carried until his 2003 album Unleashed, under simply Bow Wow. Bow Wow was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Teresa Caldwell and Alfonso Moss.[2] At age three, he became interested in music. Under the moniker “Kid Gangsta”, he began rapping for recreational at age six; he was also a fan of N.W.A at that age.