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, 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.

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. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified it double platinum in March 2001.

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
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." 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
Beware of Dog debuted at number eight on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 101,000 copies in the first week. This became Bow Wow's first US top-ten debut. 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. As of December 2006, the album has sold 2.7 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen Soundscan. In Canada, the album also reached platinum status, selling over 100,000 copies.

Track listing

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

Notes
 * The information that were taken from Beware of Dog liner notes:
 * "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.
 * "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.
 * "Ghetto Girls" contains a sample of "Covert Action" performed by The Crusaders, written by Wilton Felder.

Personnel

 * Credits taken from Allmusic.


 * 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