Beware of Dog (album)

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 the executive production from Lil' Bow Wow's mentor Jermaine Dupri, and an American songwriter Bryan-Michael Cox. 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".

Beware of Dog
Studio album by Lil' Bow Wow
Released	September 26, 2000
Recorded	1999–2000
Genre	Hip hop R&B
Length	34:29
Label	So So Def Columbia
Producer	Jermaine Dupri (also exec.) Michael Mauldin (exec.)
Lil' Bow Wow chronology
Beware of Dog (2000) Doggy Bag (2001)
Singles from Beware of Dog
"Bounce with Me" Released: August 8, 2000 "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" Released: October 17, 2000 "Puppy Love" Released: January 27, 2001 "Ghetto Girls" Released: February 21, 2001

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

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Robert Christgau	[2]
HipHopDX	[3]
NME	(7/10)[4]

Beware of Dog received generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor Jason Birchmeier 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."[1] 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."[3] Robert Christgau graded the album as a "dud",[2] indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought."[5]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200, selling 101,000 copies in the first week.[6] 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.[7]

Track listing

• All tracks produced by Jermaine Dupri, except for track 1.

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"		0:21
2.	"The Future" (featuring R.O.C.)	Shad Moss Bryan-Michael Cox Jermaine Dupri Rahman Griffin Terron Mitchell	2:36
3.	"Bounce With Me" (featuring Xscape)	Moss Dupri LaTocha Scott Tameka Cottle Tamika Scott Shawntae Harris Cox	2:56
4.	"Puppy Love" (featuring Jagged Edge)	Moss Brian Casey Brandon Casey Cox Dupri Bobby Erving Darryl Pierce Dwayne Simon James Todd Smith	3:29
5.	"You Know Me" (featuring Jermaine Dupri and Da Brat)	Moss Dupri Harris Cox	3:08
6.	"The Dog in Me"	Moss Cox Dupri	3:22
7.	"Bow Wow (That's My Name)" (featuring Snoop Dogg)	Moss Cox Dupri Calvin Broadus, Jr. George Clinton Garry Shider David Spradley	3:44
8.	"This Playboy" (featuring R.O.C., Jermaine Dupri and Big Duke)	Moss Cox Lee Dixon Dupri Griffin	3:37
9.	"Ghetto Girls"	Moss Cox Dupri Mitchell Wilton Felder	3:15
10.	"You Already Know"	Moss Dupri Carl So-Lowe	3:18
11.	"Bounce With Me (Extended LP Mix)" (featuring Xscape)	Moss Cox L. Scott Cottle T. Scott Harris Dupri	4:43
Total length:			34:29

Notes

• The information that were taken from Beware of Dog liner notes:[8]
• "Ghetto Girls" features uncredited vocals by Jagged Edge.

Sample credits

• "Puppy Love" contains a sample of "Kanday" performed by LL Cool J, written by Dwayne Simon, Daryl Pierce, Bobby Erving and James Todd Smith.[9]
• "Bow Wow (That's My Name)" contains a sample of "Atomic Dog" performed by George Clinton, written by George Clinton, Garry Shider and David Spradley.[10]
• "Ghetto Girls" contains a sample of "Covert Action" performed by The Crusaders, written by Wilton Felder.

Personnel

• Credits taken from Allmusic site.[11]

Kwaku Alston - photography Big Duke - performer Bow Wow - vocals Bryan-Michael Cox - performer Da Brat - performer Jermaine Dupri - executive producer, mixing, production Brian Frye - engineering Erwin Gorostiza - art director Bernie Grundman - mastering Bill Hermans - engineering

John Horesco IV - engineering, mixing Jagged Edge - performer Carlton Lynn - engineering William Marshall - grooming Michael Mauldin - executive producer Snoop Dogg - performer Phil Tan - mixing Xscape - performer R.O.C. - performer

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2000)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[12]	8
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[13]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (2000)	Position
US Billboard 200[14]	32
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[15]	18
Chart (2001)	Position
US Billboard 200[16]	79

End of decade charts

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
U.S. Billboard 200	195

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[17]	Platinum	100,000^^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[18]	Gold	7,500^^
United States (RIAA)[19]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^^
^*sales figures based on certification alone ^^shipments figures based on certification alone

References

1. Birchmeier, Jason. "Beware of Dog - Lil' Bow Wow". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
2. Christgau, Robert. "CG: Lil Bow Wow". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
3. "Lil Bow Wow - Beware of Dog". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. November 19, 2000. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
4. Ward, Christian (September 12, 2005). "Lil' Bow Wow : Beware Of Dog". NME. IPC Media. Retrieved February 16, 2015.
5. Christgau, Robert (2000). "Key to Icons". RobertChristgau.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
6. Harris, Chris (2005-07-20). "R. Kelly Fights Off Slim Thug And Bow Wow To Hold #1 - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
7. "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum - April 2002". Cria.ca. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
8. (2000) Album notes for Beware of Dog by Lil' Bow Wow. So So Def Recordings.
9. LL Cool J - Kanday via YouTube.
10. George Clinton - Atomic Dog via YouTube.
11. "Beware of Dog - Lil' Bow Wow". AllMusic. 2000-09-26. Retrieved 2012-01-16.
12. "Bow Wow Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
13. "Bow Wow Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
14. "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 Albums - 2005". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
15. "Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 2005". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
16. "Year-End Charts: Billboard 200 - 2006". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
17. "Canadian album certifications – Lil Bow Wow – Beware of Dog". Music Canada.
18. "New Zealand album certifications – Lil Bow Wow – Beware of Dog". Recorded Music NZ.
19. "American album certifications – Lil Bow Wow – Beware of Dog". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.