NEW YORK — NEW YORK — Nineteen-year-old rapper Bow Wow is out to prove he’s not a kid anymore.
His latest album, “The Price of Fame,” is raunchier than his four previous discs. On it, the maturing MC rhymes about trying to win back a certain someone — his ex-girlfriend, the sultry R&B singer Ciara, is the best guess — but he also boasts of his luck with the ladies (“I ain’t tryin’ to wife ‘em/I take ‘em to the Trump hotel and one night ‘em“) and his wealth (“All I do is get money“).
Bow Wow, known as Lil’ Bow Wow earlier in his career, began collecting young female fans and making all that money after he released his debut album, 2000’s “Beware of Dog,” produced by his mentor Jermaine Dupri. He has since teamed up with Dupri on follow-up albums, and crossed over into acting in the feel-good movies “Like Mike” and “Roll Bounce.” He sat down with The Associated Press recently to talk about transitioning from teen heartthrob to mature rapper, clubbing all night and hoping to be a movie star.
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AP: What was it like working on “Price of Fame“?Bow Wow: It was different this time around working on this album — really because I’ve grown so much and, you know, I was playing tug of war with myself. ... I’m getting ready to turn 20 in a couple months, so there was things that I wanted to talk about on my album, you know, but I’m like, “Wait, little kids still listen and they look up to Bow Wow.”
AP: Would you say it’s more sexual than your past albums?
Bow Wow: Oh, of course, without a doubt. Definitely. Straight to the point. ... I think that (what) a lot of people don’t understand is you grow up. You grow up out of being a child. Some day you have to be an adult. So these are the things that Bow Wow does. I do go to clubs. I do stay out all night. I party, I drive, I talk to girls, you know, that’s what I do. ... I always like to tell people the best thing about this album is you’re getting Bow Wow now — the person, the artist — when you’re listening to this album.
AP: Did you talk to Jermaine Dupri about making this one more authentic?
Bow Wow: Oh yeah, definitely. There was a couple arguments, you know, about it. You know, sometimes with stuff being said, I’m like, “Nah, that’s too corny or that’s too kiddie. That’s not me. I don’t do that.” You know, we went through that whole stage, but, like I said, it’s all good. You gotta grow up sometimes.
AP: Explain the album’s title. I hear “Price of Fame” and think “True Hollywood Story.”
Bow Wow: I was trying to find something that was authentic, something that was real. ... And then I went through so much stuff in the past year and a half, personal things and dealing with all the (things) that goes on in the music industry. You know, taking all of this stuff in at one time really (brought) my whole high down. And I felt like I was dealing with the price of fame — me being, you know, in the media all the time about quotes and things that I’ve done or said. It was just a big headache.
AP: Your breakup with Ciara was all over the Internet. Is your song “Outta My System” about her?
Bow Wow: There is a song on my album that deals with a situation, you know what I’m saying...
AP: Is it “Tell Me“?
Bow Wow: Oh, you’re good.
AP: What do you think about people who still see you as a teen act, as Lil’ Bow Wow?
Bow Wow: That’s their opinion. If that’s what they feel, that’s what they feel, but, you know ... the sad part about it is there (are) people out there that think that, until they see me out in certain situations and they’re shocked. ... So, it is what it is. It doesn’t bother me much, though. As long as it ain’t stopping my money coming in, I’m good. I’m straight.
AP: Would you like to be a music mogul?
Bow Wow: In training already. Yeah. I’ve got an advantage because I’m young. I’m starting to make boss moves. Before I’m 21 — by the time I’m 26 — no telling what (might) happen.
AP: What about acting?
Bow Wow: I’m definitely gonna do that. I will be on somebody’s movie set come springtime, maybe end of march ... maybe, that’s what I’m thinking. There’s a couple scripts on the table for me.
AP: Which do you like better — acting or music?
Bow Wow: Acting. It’s not stressful, ain’t gotta worry about a lot. When you’re in the music industry, you gotta worry about too much. It’s like vacation. Wake up in the morning, go to set, you can dress however you want to dress, you don’t have to look cute ... throw on some sweats, some slippers, hoodie, out the door. ... Do it in three months. Piece of cake.
AP: Would you drop your music career to be a movie star?
Bow Wow: Oh yeah. But I still gotta run my label (the LB Dub Gang) ‘cause I got artists and stuff. I’ll always be involved in the music industry. But, as far as me working, I will work as a boss for my company, for my artists, producing records. But I will be a full-time actor.
