The Complex 7: Bow Wow

Uh oh, faux rap-retirement alert! There was news today that Bow Wow announced his retirement from music to focus on his acting. Do we believe him? Of course not. But really, hate him or love him, Bow Wow has accomplished a great deal for a 22-year-old: six successful studio albums, several lead movie roles (including the upcoming Hurricane Season, about a post-Katrina hoops team), and a few highly memorable appearances on Entourage. Most recently he reunited with longtime mentor Jermaine Dupri for the album New Jack City II, which dropped March 31.

Despite naming his album after the classic drug-gang film, Bow Wow sticks to what he knows best—making poppy records for the 106 & Park crowd. We recently asked Bow Wow our always-interesting Complex 7 questions. Read on to find the out his ultimate turnoff, the stupidest shit he’s ever done, and making up with Soulja Boy…

Interview by Jaeki Cho

#1: WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER ONE DEAL-BREAKER FOR A POTENTIAL GIRLFRIEND?

Bow Wow says: Being needy. I hate that. ‘I have to dress up, and I have to put on makeup.’ No! Just to go to Boston Market? You have to put on makeup? I’m a simple dude. I just rock Jordan shorts, a fresh pair of kicks, a wife beater and keep it pushing. If I’m going in just chilling, with no cameras, then why do you need to throw it up? I’ve always been a person who could be impressed by just simple things because I’m used to seeing all the great things in life, and that stuff get boring.

#2: WHAT’S THE WORST WAY YOU’VE BROKEN UP WITH SOMEONE?

Bow Wow says: I’ve only had two girlfriends in my lifetime. They just ran out. It might sound weird but most girls were just like, ‘I don’t want to see you anymore.’ And I’m like, ‘Aight.’ Nothing crazy. I got busy. They got busy. I became Bow Wow, and I was never home. I was ready to keep it moving because my career was more important.

#3: WHAT’S YOU FAVORITE SNEAKER OF ALL TIME?

Bow Wow says: Probably the Air Jordan Retro IVs. I don’t think you can go wrong with those. I have just one pair. I just got the black and red colorways yesterday.

#4: WHAT’S THE MOST EMBARRASSING PIECE OF CLOTHING YOU’VE EVER WORN?

Bow Wow says: Man, one time I wore boxers to school. Stupidest [thing] I’ve ever done in my life. I was probably about 7. They were Tampa Bay Lightning boxers. They were big as hell. So I wore boxers and another pair of boxers on top, thinking they were shorts. Throughout the whole day of school walking around like that. I’ll never forget that. Some caught on but some didn’t because they really looked like shorts. That was embarrassing.

#5: IF YOU HAD A WEEK HOLIDAY, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Bow Wow says: I would just sleep all week, everyday, wake up, eat, and go right back.

#6: WHAT HAS TO BE IN YOUR FRIDGE AT ALL TIMES?

Bow Wow says: I still play ball a lot so, Gatorade all the time.

#7: WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

Bow Wow says: Shit, I don’t remember what to cry about really. When [Def Jam exec] Shakir Stewart passed away it was more of a shock than anything. Of course, Jermaine and those guys were around him all the time. But to me it was more of a shocker, ‘Like what? What the fuck?’ I couldn’t understand it, and I couldn’t believe it. One of them type of hurtful feelings.

BONUS QUESTIONS: Bow Wow comments on his sneaker game, and his current relationship with Soulja Boy.

Complex: You had a public dispute with Soulja Boy because he disrespected your sneaker game. At this point, do you still consider yourself the “King of Jordans”?

Bow Wow says: First off, me and Soulja cool. We just did a spring break thing in Florida. We spoke, and I ain’t got no problem with him. He’s doing his thing, and I’m doing mine. As far as the Jordans? I’ve been slacking. I’m a sneaker fanatic though. Chris Brown and I, we probably have the best sneaker collection. His shit is like a Foot Locker how he got that shit up. I thought I was doing something crazy; he really made me go hard at it. We’re out in the road, so we’re getting sneakers. I was at Flight Club NYC just yesterday.

Complex: Do you have any regrets for beefing with Soulja Boy over sneakers?

Bow Wow says: No, not at all since everything happens for a reason. He does what he does, and I do what I do. I think you learn from experience and keep it moving.