Lil Bow Wow, now known as Bow Wow, was born in Columbus, Ohio to Teresa and… Read Full Bio ↴Lil Bow Wow, now known as Bow Wow, was born in Columbus, Ohio to Teresa and Junie Moss. His father left the family, though Bow Wow says they are still keeping in contact. Bow Wow's mother worked three jobs. It has been said he resembles his father and his father is of creole descent, and his mother re-married to Rodney Caldwell; Bow Wow grew up with his step-father and has two step-siblings, Erica and Jasarah. When he was five, he started his career in rap using the moniker "Kid Gangsta". One year later, in 1993, he performed at a Chronic tour in Columbus, and was noted by rapper Snoop Dogg and rapper Dr. Dre, who subsequently gave him a stage name, "Lil' Bow Wow".[1] Dr. Dre later hired him as an opening act, officially gaining him a spot on the Death Row Records roster.[2] Also "Lil' Bow Wow" appeared on a skit on Snoop's debut Doggystyle. In 1998 at the age of eleven, Bow Wow was introduced to record producer Jermaine Dupri,[1] who helped shape his career. His real name is Shad Gregory Moss.

I'm Back
Lil Bow Wow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro:]

West coast just cripwalk -ipwalk wit me

East coast just harlem shake sh- shake wit me

Midwest just chickenhead -enhead wit me

Dirty South just b-b-bounce b-bounce wit me

[Chorus:]

I'm B-A-C-K (oh!) [3x]

Erri erri Bow Bow Bow Wow

Me fall off? Dawg you can't be serious

Cuz I've been doing this since I was in baby diapers

All my life this talent be bumpin' in my veins

I know these girls is happy that I'm back in the game

While I was gone the question was: When ya album come out?

Another one to go cop so ya'll could scream and shout

Been away for a minute

Negotiatin' some deals

Discussin' some business on how I can make mils

Man, it feels good to know that ya fans love it

I've been flyin' back and forth just meetin' with Warner Bros.

You know, sitcom's gonna be on yo TV

So all the Bow Wow fans could see me on GP

[Chorus]

Every dawg has his day so right now be mine

I ain't no unpolished I'm a polished diamond that shine

Had to retire my Mickey Mouse, I gotten too old

Peach fuzz on my lip, homeboy I'm grown

I'm that eastside e-savin 614

Rep it girl get a playboy that flow, got that to look at

Be on top number one is my rank

I enjoy sittin' back watchin' ya'll mc's sing (uhu uh)

You see that Z? That's me inside

I blow chicks minds when they see me pushin' the ride

I'm back and dawg I ain't cuttin' no slack

I'm back fo my homie (yeah)

Ya heard that?

[Chorus]

Oh, you want some advice?

Well, without a doubt

Dawg don't come out when Bow Wow's out

When I spit my rhymes be as sharp as a dart

Another album that's finished, shoot straight up the charts

Number one videos straight to 106

Every suburban middle American gonna be bumpin' this

See, I'm real don't worry

I got it on lock

When the boy wonder's around I shut down shop

Rapper slash actor slash

I cause total chaos

I got it in a smash

Homie ain't nobody hotter

I told you that I'm back

And I'm goin' back for the whole enchilada, you got it

[Chorus]

[Intro]

Erri erri Bow Bow....

I'm B-A-C-K.....

Overall Meaning

The song I'm Back by Lil Bow Wow is a celebration of the rapper's return to music after a period of absence. The lyrics describe the various dance crazes from different regions of the United States and ask listeners to join Lil Bow Wow in dancing to his music. He asserts his longevity in the industry, the negotiating of deals, and the anticipation of his fans for his new album. He reveals that he is now a mature artist who has moved past his earlier, childish persona (represented by Mickey Mouse). He warns other aspiring artists that they cannot compete with his rap skills as he is a polished diamond that has already been shining in the music industry. He finishes up by reminding the audience that he is not only a rapper but an actor who is going back for the whole enchilada.

Line by Line Meaning

West coast just cripwalk -ipwalk wit me
I'm representing the West coast with a particular style of walking called cripwalking, and I want everyone to do it with me.

East coast just harlem shake sh- shake wit me
I'm representing the East coast with a particular dance called Harlem shake, and I want everyone to do it with me.

Midwest just chickenhead -enhead wit me
I'm representing the Midwest with a particular dance called chickenhead, and I want everyone to do it with me.

Dirty South just b-b-bounce b-bounce wit me
I'm representing the Dirty South with a particular style of dancing called bouncing, and I want everyone to do it with me.

I'm B-A-C-K (oh!) [3x]
I'm back and better than ever, and I want everyone to know it.

Erri erri Bow Bow Bow Wow
This is my signature sound, and I'm all about making it known.

Me fall off? Dawg you can't be serious
People have been saying that I fell off, but that's ridiculous.

Cuz I've been doing this since I was in baby diapers
I've been a part of the rap game for as long as I can remember, so I'm not going anywhere.

All my life this talent be bumpin' in my veins
Rap has always been a part of me, and it's something that's in my blood.

I know these girls is happy that I'm back in the game
My female fans are excited that I'm back, and I appreciate the love.

While I was gone the question was: When ya album come out?
During my absence, people were wondering when I was going to release another album.

Another one to go cop so ya'll could scream and shout
My fans are eager to hear new music from me and are excited to support me.

Been away for a minute
I haven't been in the game for a little while.

Negotiatin' some deals
I've been in talks with record labels and other business entities to secure my future.

Discussin' some business on how I can make mils
I'm exploring different avenues for making money and securing my financial future.

Man, it feels good to know that ya fans love it
I'm happy that my fans are excited about my return to the game.

I've been flyin' back and forth just meetin' with Warner Bros.
I've been attending meetings with Warner Bros., likely discussing record deals, tours, and other projects.

You know, sitcom's gonna be on yo TV
I have a sitcom that's going to air on television soon that my fans can look forward to watching.

So all the Bow Wow fans could see me on GP
I want all my fans to be able to see me on TV and elsewhere, so I'm branching out into different media.

Every dawg has his day so right now be mine
I'm having a great moment in my career and I'm enjoying the success.

I ain't no unpolished I'm a polished diamond that shine
My talent has been refined over the years, and I'm a standout who can't be ignored.

Had to retire my Mickey Mouse, I gotten too old
I'm growing up and moving on from the child star vibes that I had in the past.

Peach fuzz on my lip, homeboy I'm grown
I'm a grown man now and it shows.

I'm that eastside e-savin 614
I'm representing my hometown of Columbus, Ohio with pride.

Rep it girl get a playboy that flow, got that to look at
I want girls to like me not just for my looks, but for my music and talent too.

Be on top number one is my rank
I'm going to be the best and reach the top of the charts.

I enjoy sittin' back watchin' ya'll mc's sing (uhu uh)
I'm confident in my own talent and don't feel threatened by other rappers' abilities.

You see that Z? That's me inside
I'm showing off my fancy car, which has a 'Z' on the license plate to represent me.

I blow chicks minds when they see me pushin' the ride
Girls are impressed by my car and it helps me attract them.

I'm back and dawg I ain't cuttin' no slack
I'm back and I'm not taking any days off, I'm going to keep working hard.

I'm back fo my homie (yeah)
I'm back for my friends and fans.

Ya heard that?
I want to make sure that my message is getting across to my audience.

Oh, you want some advice?
I'm about to give some insight and wisdom.

Well, without a doubt
I'm confident in my advice and know what I'm talking about.

Dawg don't come out when Bow Wow's out
I'm warning other rappers to be careful when I'm around because I'm a force to be reckoned with.

When I spit my rhymes be as sharp as a dart
My rhymes are crisp and on point, and they cut through the competition.

Another album that's finished, shoot straight up the charts
I'm confident that my music will be well-received and climb the charts quickly.

Number one videos straight to 106
My music videos are so good that they'll be playing on BET's 106 & Park, which was a popular show where music videos would debut and compete.

Every suburban middle American gonna be bumpin' this
My music is going to be so popular that even those in the suburbs will be listening and enjoying it.

See, I'm real don't worry
I'm an authentic rapper and you don't have to question my credibility.

I got it on lock
I have everything under control and I'm successful.

When the boy wonder's around I shut down shop
When I'm on the scene, other rappers may as well pack it up and go home because I'm the best.

Rapper slash actor slash
I'm branching out into acting as well as rapping.

I cause total chaos
I'm a force to be reckoned with and I'm successful in everything I try.

I got it in a smash
Everything I do is a success and I always bring my best.

Homie ain't nobody hotter
I'm the best in the game and nobody can contest that fact.

I told you that I'm back
I wanted to make it clear that I'm making a comeback and I'm better than ever.

And I'm goin' back for the whole enchilada, you got it
I'm going for the whole nine yards and want everything that the rap game has to offer.

Erri erri Bow Bow....
This is my signature sound and it's a nod to my childhood nickname, Lil Bow Wow.

I'm B-A-C-K.....
I'm back and I'm ready to take the rap world by storm.

Contributed by Aubrey T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.