Exclusive: Bow Wow Reacts to Being Called a Legend

Bow Wow is a multi-platinum artist with years of success to his name. But is he, as Diddy recently called him, a “fucking legend”? During a visit to Rap-Up HQ, Shad Moss reacted to the G.O.A.T. talk.

“I never like to put a title on it,” he says. “If the people say that, or my fans, or my era that grew with me feels that way, then I love it. But I’ll probably never call myself one. I might get arrogant in a bar or a rap and say some shit. Other than that, I don’t walk around like I’m a legend.”

The 31-year-old, who has released six solo albums in 18 years, says the praise “sounds crazy to him at his age. “But [LeBron James] is only two years older than me and he’s already considered a G.O.A.T.,” he adds. “I just think that word, G.O.A.T. and legend, is just so loosely thrown out. Everybody’s a G.O.A.T. If I go out and drop 55 points tonight, it’s like, ‘G.O.A.T.’ You gotta distinguish and define what a G.O.A.T. is because it’s a word that’s being thrown out.”

Shad Moss is back on the musical grind. He hasn’t released an album since 2009’s New Jack City II. But Bow Wow wants to change all of that with the newly-announced Edicius, which is suicide spelled backwards.

“What made me decide to return to music was the fact that I regained the love for it,” he said. After announcing his retirement and feeling like he “disowned music,” he made some changes. He sold his Beverly Hills home, moved to Atlanta, and reconnected with Jermaine Dupri. Plus, he linked up with mentors like Diddy for guidance.

“[Diddy has] always enlightened me, given me game,” he explains. “After the whole ‘Bow Wow Challenge’ shit, he was the first person to pull me to the side at his house and gave me some real game,” he said. “He basically told me, ‘You’re Bow Wow. You’ve accomplished so much shit. Don’t tarnish it…You gotta stop the clown shit.'”