Beware of Dog (album)

Last updated
Beware of Dog
Beware of dog cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 26, 2000
Recorded1999–2000
Genre
Length34:29
Label
Producer
Lil' Bow Wow chronology
Beware of Dog
(2000)
Doggy Bag
(2001)
Singles from Beware of Dog
  1. "Bounce with Me"
    Released: August 8, 2000
  2. "Bow Wow (That's My Name)"
    Released: October 17, 2000
  3. "Puppy Love"
    Released: January 31, 2001
  4. "Ghetto Girls"
    Released: February 21, 2001

Beware of Dog is the debut studio album by American rapper Lil' Bow Wow. It was released on September 26, 2000, through So So Def Recordings and Columbia Records. Recording sessions took place from 1999 to 2000, with Lil' Bow Wow's mentor Jermaine Dupri primarily producing the album, and Xscape, Jagged Edge, Da Brat and Snoop Dogg, among others, appearing as guests.

Contents

Beware of Dog received generally positive reviews from music critics and was also commercially successful, debuting at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling 101,000 copies in the first week. [1] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it double platinum in March 2001. [2]

Singles

Four singles were released from the album, all produced by Lil' Bow Wow's mentor and hip hop record producer Jermaine Dupri. The album's lead single "Bounce with Me", released on August 8, 2000, features guest vocals from American R&B group Xscape, and 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)", released on October 17, 2000, features a guest verse from fellow rapper Snoop Dogg. The album's third single "Puppy Love", released on January 27, 2001, features guest vocals from fellow R&B group Jagged Edge, and the album's fourth and final single "Ghetto Girls" was released on February 21, 2001.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Robert Christgau Rating-Christgau-dud.svg [4]
HipHopDX Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [5]
NME Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]

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." [3] 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." [5] Robert Christgau graded the album as a "dud", [4] indicating "a bad record whose details rarely merit further thought." [7]

Commercial performance

Beware of Dog debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 101,000 copies in the first week. [1] This became Bow Wow's first US top-ten debut. [1] On March 5, 2001, the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over two million copies. [2] As of December 2006, the album has sold 2.7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. [8] In Canada, the album also reached platinum status, selling over 100,000 copies. [9]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Intro" 0:21
2."The Future" (featuring R.O.C.)
2:36
3."Bounce With Me" (featuring Xscape)2:56
4."Puppy Love" (featuring Jagged Edge)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)
3:44
8."This Playboy" (featuring R.O.C., Jermaine Dupri and Big Duke)
3:37
9."Ghetto Girls"
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

Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [34] Platinum100,000^
France (SNEP) [35] Gold100,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ) [36] Gold7,500^
United States (RIAA) [2] 2× Platinum2,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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