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.

The Dog In Me
Lil Bow Wow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah,
I'm the hottest thing to hit the block since
From CO to ATL I keeps it live
Like a fresh pair of 23's, once seen
Can't get enough of me, my team
Getting this paper from all angles, which means
Everybody got a triangle, ya heard me?
I'm "The Truth" like Beans

And when it comes to teens in this rap thing
You looking at the rock
Not to mention that I'm hot, yeah you already know
And I shuts down the spot wherever I go
Call me the Tiger Woods of this, young and explosive
I come with the dopest flow at thirteen like whoa

Little girls think that I'm delicious
Grown folks say I'm just too vicious, but they don't understand
It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am
Mess with me you get bit
In two-kay I ain't having it, what y'all don't understand?
It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am

Lil man with the big checks
Lil man that's got big girls wanting to teach me about sex
I don't care who coming, cause I'm here now
A hundred miles and running, Lil' Bow Wow
Drop bombs like Flex, constantly
And at 6 o'clock you can find me on Craig Street
Can't wait till I can see what the club be bout
Can't wait to get a whip so I can dub it out
I like no gold, I rock corn rows
The only way I know to hit the block is on swoll
Could never get enough dough so I keep grindin
So I can keep shinin and Big Tymin' like Baby

Little girls think that I'm delicious
Grown folks say I'm just too vicious, but they don't understand
It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am
Mess with me you get bit
In two-kay I ain't having it, what y'all don't understand?
It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am

Now my wallets too deep for y'all cats to swim
So if you copy me I'm dissing you like Eminem
I mean straight to your face or live on TV
I might look cute, but it's the dog in me
That makes me wanna tear it up, everything in sight
Jump from girl to girl to stay out all night long
I'm little, but I, get my mack on
With my nick nack patty wack def backbone
Got everybody at home glued to they tube
Waiting to see what I drop new like Clue
Cause when I do what I do I breaks the bank
Cause a dog ain't a dog without a pile of stank

Little girls think that I'm delicious
Grown folks say I'm just too vicious, but they don't understand
It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am
Mess with me you get bit
In two-kay I ain't having it, what y'all don't understand?

It's just the dog in me
And that's just the way I am

Overall Meaning

In the song "The Dog In Me", Lil Bow Wow raps about his status as a young and successful rapper. He boasts about his popularity and compares himself to a fresh pair of sneakers that everyone wants to own. The use of the triangle as a metaphor for his money-making shows that he is always looking for multiple sources of income. He also references Beanie Sigel's nickname "The Truth" to convey his confidence in his own rapping skills.

Lil Bow Wow also addresses the criticism he receives from adults who find him too aggressive or explicit, saying that it's just "the dog in [him]." He emphasizes that he's just being himself and that he won't tolerate anyone disrespecting him. Despite his young age, Lil Bow Wow claims to have a deep wallet and heaps scorn on anyone who tries to emulate him without coming up with new ideas.

Overall, the song is a defiant statement from a young rapper who is determined to prove himself in the music industry. As a child prodigy, Lil Bow Wow was known for his technical skills and ability to hold his own against veteran rappers. "The Dog In Me" shows that he was unafraid to channel his inner aggression and challenge anyone who doubted him.

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, I'm the hottest thing to hit the block since
I'm the most popular and desirable person to arrive in the neighborhood.

From CO to ATL I keeps it live
I maintain my high energy and lively demeanor in both Colorado and Atlanta.

Like a fresh pair of 23's, once seen
Similar to a new, sought-after pair of Jordans, once I am noticed, people can't stop talking about me.

Can't get enough of me, my team
My team and I are so captivating and entertaining that people continually want more of us.

Getting this paper from all angles, which means
We are making lots of money in various ways and from different sources.

Everybody got a triangle, ya heard me?
Everyone is involved in making money together, forming a triangular network of success.

I'm "The Truth" like Beans
I am the ultimate truth in the rap game just like Beanie Sigel.

And when it comes to teens in this rap thing
In terms of teenagers who are rapping, I am on top of my game.

You looking at the rock
You are looking at the star, the center of attention, the best in the rap game.

Not to mention that I'm hot, yeah you already know
It goes without saying that I am incredibly talented and successful in the rap industry.

And I shuts down the spot wherever I go
I create an unforgettable experience everywhere I perform, shutting down the venue with my incredible presence and talent.

Call me the Tiger Woods of this, young and explosive
Like Tiger Woods, I am young and explosive in my field of work, always coming out on top.

I come with the dopest flow at thirteen like whoa
Even at thirteen years old, I have the best and most impressive flow in the rap game.

Little girls think that I'm delicious
Young girls find me irresistible and attractive.

Grown folks say I'm just too vicious, but they don't understand
Adults criticize me for my ferocity and tenacity, but they don't realize that it's just part of who I am.

It's just the dog in me
My ferocity and aggressiveness are simply part of my persona, just like a dog's instincts.

And that's just the way I am
I cannot change who I am, and I won't apologize for it.

Mess with me you get bit
If someone provokes me, I will come back at them with equal force and aggression.

In two-kay I ain't having it, what y'all don't understand?
I won't tolerate any disrespect or attempts to bring me down - what part of that don't people understand?

Lil man with the big checks
Although I am young, I have lots of money and success already.

Lil man that's got big girls wanting to teach me about sex
Despite my age, older women are interested in me romantically and/or sexually.

I don't care who coming, cause I'm here now
I am not afraid of any competition, because I have already arrived and established myself in the rap game.

A hundred miles and running, Lil' Bow Wow
I am unstoppable, figuratively running a hundred miles without tiring or giving up.

Drop bombs like Flex, constantly
Similar to a bomb, I release explosive and impressive rhymes in my music, constantly creating hits.

And at 6 o'clock you can find me on Craig Street
At a specific time, I can always be found in a particular location, Craig Street.

Can't wait till I can see what the club be bout
I am excited to experience the club scene and learn more about it.

Can't wait to get a whip so I can dub it out
I am eager to get a car so that I can modify and improve it like many other people do.

I like no gold, I rock corn rows
My personal style is more raw and authentic, without the flashy and expensive jewelry common in rap culture. I prefer to wear corn rows in my hair.

The only way I know to hit the block is on swoll
I go all out and put in maximum effort when performing or participating in rap-related activities.

Could never get enough dough so I keep grindin
I will always continue to work hard to earn more money, never being satisfied with what I have earned so far.

So I can keep shinin and Big Tymin' like Baby
As I work hard and achieve more success and wealth, I will continue to flaunt it and show it off like Birdman, also known as "Baby."

Now my wallets too deep for y'all cats to swim
I have so much money that it is impossible for others to even compete with me in terms of wealth.

So if you copy me I'm dissing you like Eminem
If someone tries to copy my style or attitude, I will insult and ridicule them harshly, similar to how Eminem might respond to criticism or disrespect.

I mean straight to your face or live on TV
I will confront and insult people directly, either face-to-face or on national television, if they disrespect me.

I might look cute, but it's the dog in me
Despite my seemingly innocent or harmless appearance, I have a ferocity and tenacity that resembles a dog's behavior.

That makes me wanna tear it up, everything in sight
My dog-like instincts and ferocity cause me to want to dominate and destroy everything around me.

Jump from girl to girl to stay out all night long
I am interested in dating and being intimate with multiple women, and I enjoy staying out all night engaging in these activities.

I'm little, but I, get my mack on
Despite my young age and small stature, I am able to charm and attract women easily, getting my mack on and being successful in my romantic pursuits.

With my nick nack patty wack def backbone
With my rhymes and flow, I have a strong backbone and ability to stand up for myself and be successful in the rap game.

Got everybody at home glued to they tube
I have become so popular that people are glued to their televisions, watching me and eagerly anticipating my next moves.

Waiting to see what I drop new like Clue
Fans are eagerly waiting to see or hear my newest music or projects, similar to waiting for a new DJ Clue mixtape.

Cause when I do what I do I breaks the bank
When I create new work or perform, I am so impressive that it earns lots of money, breaking the bank and becoming very successful.

Cause a dog ain't a dog without a pile of stank
Like a dog needs its own distinct smell, I need to have my own style and signature scent that sets me apart from other rappers.

Little girls think that I'm delicious
Young girls find me irresistible and attractive.

Grown folks say I'm just too vicious, but they don't understand
Adults criticize me for my ferocity and tenacity, but they don't realize that it's just part of who I am.

It's just the dog in me
My ferocity and aggressiveness are simply part of my persona, just like a dog's instincts.

And that's just the way I am
I cannot change who I am, and I won't apologize for it.

Mess with me you get bit
If someone provokes me, I will come back at them with equal force and aggression.

In two-kay I ain't having it, what y'all don't understand?
I won't tolerate any disrespect or attempts to bring me down - what part of that don't people understand?

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYAN MICHAEL COX, JERMAINE DUPRI

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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