Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9, 1987), better known as Bow Wow (and formerly Lil' Bow Wow), is an American rapper and actor. As Lil' Bow Wow, he released his first album, Beware of Dog in 2000 at age 13, which was followed by Doggy Bag 2001. In 2003, Bow Wow released his third album Unleashed, which was the first album released without using Lil' in his name. Bow Wow made his first movie appearance in All About the Benjamins, in 2002 as a cameo. In the same year, Bow Wow made his debut as the lead role in Like Mike. He later began to undertake lead roles in movies such as, Johnson Family Vacation in 2004, and Roll Bounce, in 2005. He was also played as a supporting role in the film, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift in 2006. Bow Wow also appeared in an episode of the television series, Entourage. Bow Wow was born Shad Gregory Moss in Columbus, Ohio, the son of Teresa Caldwell and Alfonso Moss. At age three, he became interested in rap. Under the moniker "Kid Gangsta", he began rapping recreationally at age six; he was also a fan of N.W.A at that age.