Released September 26, 2000 Length 34:29 Artist Bow Wow Label So So Def Recordings | Recorded 1999–2000 Beware of Dog
(2000) Doggy Bag
(2001) Release date 26 September 2000 Producer Jermaine Dupri | |
 | ||
Genres Hip hop music, Contemporary R&B Similar Bow Wow albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
Lil bow wow intro
Beware of Dog is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Bow Wow. It was released on September 26, 2000, by So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place from 1999 to 2000, with Lil' Bow Wow's mentor and an American hip hop record producer Jermaine Dupri, alongside an American songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox, serving as the records executive producers. The album was supported by four singles: "Bounce with Me" featuring Xscape, "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" featuring Snoop Dogg, "Puppy Love" featuring Jagged Edge, and "Ghetto Girls".
Contents
Singles
The album's lead single, titled "Bounce with Me" was released on August 8, 2000. The song features guest vocals from American R&B group Xscape, while the production was provided by Lil' Bow Wow's mentor and an American hip hop record producer Jermaine Dupri. The song was also included on the soundtrack for the film Big Momma's House (2000).
The album's second single, "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" was released on October 17, 2000. The song features guest verse from a fellow American rapper Snoop Dogg, while the production was provided by Jermaine Dupri, who produced Lil' Bow Wow's first single ("Bounce with Me").
The album's third single, "Puppy Love" was released on January 27, 2001. The song features guest vocals from a fellow American R&B group Jagged Edge, while the production was provided by Jermaine Dupri, who produced both Lil' Bow Wow's first and second singles ("Bounce with Me" and "Bow Wow (That's My Name)"), consecutively.
The album's fourth and final single, "Ghetto Girls" was released on February 21, 2001. The song was produced by Jermaine Dupri, who produced Lil' Bow Wow's first, second and third singles ("Bounce with Me", "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" and "Puppy Love"), consecutively.
Critical reception
Beware of Dog received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jason Birchmeier of AllMusic praised the tracks for encapsulating the album with endearing charm in its pop-rap material despite doubting Lil Bow Wow's actual writing credits, concluding that "All the same, there's no denying the charm and vocal dexterity of Lil Bow Wow, who proves himself genuinely talented, if not exactly a prodigy." An editor from HipHopDX said that despite Lil Bow Wow's age showing in his lyrics, found potential in his ability to deliver tough lyricism with "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" being a great starting point, concluding that "Beware of Dog is a definite keeper and a trademark to the So So Def dynasty. This album is clear cut winner in my opinion to potentially be rated for best debut album of the year." Robert Christgau graded the album as a "dud", indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought."
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 8 on the US Billboard 200, selling 101,000 copies in the first week. On March 5, 2001, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In Canada, the album also reached platinum status, selling over 100,000 copies.
Track listing
The information that were taken from Beware of Dog liner notes:
Personnel
Songs
1Intro0:21
2The FutureROC2:36
3Bounce with MeXscape2:56