Bow Wow – Interview [2003]

BOW WOW BRINGS IT TO YOU ONE ON ONE!

They got you busy today?

Always.

How was TRL today?

Awwww man, it was really good.

Lebron James was on there, first time meeting him?

No, it was about my fourth time meeting him.

Have you balled with him at all?

No, but I’m sure I can take him. (We both laugh)

How is getting the love from MTV and from all the fans?

It was beautiful because I’m back and you know how it is. I’m just so happy to be back. I’m lovin’ what I’m doing. Music is my first love and I’m having so much fun with it. I have a tour coming up and everything is just getting bigger.

Is it cool that you’ve come back and no one has forgotten and instead they are just waiting for you?

Most definitely. The fans are just ready. That is what is so great. I love my fans to death. My fans are right behind me. I love them to death. I have the best fans in the world. They’ve been with me through thick and thin.

If you weren’t busy enough, you now have a clothing line, Shago. Where did that come from?

The clothing line is ridiculous. I’m having so much fun with this. They are in stores now, so everyone needs to go out and pick them up.

When did you finish working on the record?

A couple weeks back and I had a lot of fun working on this album because I was able to sit back and take time on the album. I got to write some and it is definitely one of the best records I’ve done. I was able to sit back and watch how everything was done. I was able to tell the producers exactly what I wanted on this album and that is what is so beautiful about Unleashed.

Has the record label or anyone else told you that you should do this or do that and not do this or that on a record because you have teenage fans? Like not to curse?

Not at all. They let me do what I do best. They know what I do best and I got it on lock. They’re real cool with the situation.

Have your skills been getting better?

Most definitely. When you take time off you have to practice. I write so much and get so swamped when it comes to putting pen to paper. This is what I do and I love what I’m doing.

Did you use different producers?

I used the Neptunes and Swizz Beatz. I loved working with all these guys and they were so down to earth. I told them what I wanted to come out of the record and they gave that to me.

Did you bring some guests aboard?

Yeah, Mario, Baby, Swizz Beatz, Pharrell, Jagged Edge, it was beautiful.

I heard you are working on a movie?

Yeah with Will Smith called Meet The President. It’s going to be hilarious.

Do you like the fact that when you play a character in a movie you can be someone other than yourself?

Yes. You know what? When it comes to movies I love to do them. It gives me an opportunity to sit back and relax. Because I’m always on the road so much but when I’m doing a film it is the easiest thing you can ask for because I can relax.

Do you hope to go to college?

I would love to go there and experience college. I don’t really look too far into the future. I’m ready to grow up and move out of the house.

Is it hard to choose tracks to leave off?

Sometimes it is hard, but then again you can always use the tracks later as bonus tracks. That is the good thing about having extra tracks. Sometimes you can blast them like they are new when the other tracks start to get old. It is hard to leave some behind, but you can only choose the hot ones.

Was it stressful at all to follow up a hit record?

Definitely not. I went in with a positive attitude and wanted to do my thing and do what I do best. I just wanted to go out and have fun and not concentrate on the negative.

I just read that you got some new tattoos. Are they real?

My tattoos are real. I didn’t fake that.

What’s up with the tour this summer?

It’s going to be the biggest tour of the summer. It’s going to be me getting live and personal with my fans.

+ Charlie Craine