Older dog has some new tricks
Six years ago – back when he answered to Lil’ Bow Wow – rapper Bow Wow was a teen idol with a taste for pizza and Mickey Mouse bling-bling.
His latest album, “The Price of Fame,” finds him all grown up with nowhere to go but the top of the charts, to the tune of such hits as “Shortie like Mine” and “Outta My System.”
Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, the former Shad Moss, 20, now divides his time between Atlanta and Miami.
Q: By working with the likes of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony or R. Kelly, are you trying to change your image?
A: I don’t know. A lot of people ask me that. I go in the studio, and I just make the kind of music I make. I know if I start making gangsta music for the next 10 or 15 years, it would be kind of hard for people to believe. I haven’t really lived that life. … I show the progression of me getting older and becoming a man through my music.
Q: Kids probably are slow dancing to “Shortie like Mine” at proms as we speak. How did it come together?
A: I figured the fans would like it. I called Chris (Brown, the R&B singer who duets on the hit) and we made it happen.
Q: Which songs on “The Price of Fame” were inspired by your break-up with Ciara?
A: I’m sure people know. (Laughs) If you put on the album, they stick out. I’m sure people get the picture.
Q: How is your love life these days?
A: Great. I’m good, a single man. It is what it is.
Q: Are there any more films in your future?
A: I love acting. Scripts are coming in like crazy. I just got another script yesterday that I haven’t read. (But) right now, I’m focusing on my music. I’m getting ready to go in the studio with Omarion. We’re about to record a double album together. … I really don’t want to compare it to anything, but a lot of people are going to compare it to Jay-Z and R. Kelly.
Q: What’s your take on Russell Simmons‘ call to ban offensive words from hip-hop?
A: I can see where he’s coming from. I understand he wants peace. I understand he wants to clean up hip-hop. Nothing is wrong with that. … (B)ut I feel like it’s hard to ban words. It’s almost impossible.
The birthday bunch
Singer Gladys Knight is 63. Singer John Fogerty is 62. Actress Sondra Locke is 60. Actor Brandon Cruz (“The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”) is 45. Country singer Phil Vassar is 45. Actress Christa Miller (“Scrubs”) is 43. Singer Chris Ballew (Presidents of the United States of America) is 42. Singer Kylie Minogue is 39. TV personality Elisabeth Hasselbeck (“The View”) is 30. Actress Monica Keena (“Dawson’s Creek”) is 28.