Bow Wow had DMX‘s support throughout his career, but he never realized that his movie Like Mike impacted X’s career as well.
The film, in which Bow Wow made his acting debut in 2002, features a scene in which the then-child star and actor Morris Chestnut rap along to the 1999 hit “Party Up.” And in a recent interview, the rapper, born Shad Moss, told HipHopDX that it wasn’t until after DMX passed away that he discovered the impact that scene may have had on the song’s success.
“I never knew that people’s first time hearing ‘Party Up’ was my movie, which was crazy,” Bow Wow said. “I didn’t notice that Like Mike did that for that record until he passed away. Because that record is so massive, it’s so big. It might be DMX’s biggest record of his career.
He continued: “So being that the record was already a monster hit, that’s why we put it in the movie. It’s like, ‘Y’all thought this was new?’ It’s a classic. Are you fuckin’ kinding me? You woulda never heard this DMX record, like where have you been?'”
Though “Party Up (Up In Here)” may have been a ubiquitous song on urban radio stations at the time of its release, the song was not certified Gold or Platinum by the RIAA until May of last year, a full month after DMX’s untimely death. The song was the second single from X’s third album, …And Then There Was X.
According to Billboard, “Party Up” was also one of three songs pushed back into the top 10 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs following DMX’s April 2021 death, as grieving fans revisited the rapper’s catalogue. The song had previously peaked at the No. 8 position on that chart in 2000.
While they did speak in person on a handful of occasions, Bow Wow said he never had the opportunity to speak to DMX about his Like Mike scene. But ultimately, he’s glad that their careers influenced each other in that way.
“I never got the chance to, which would have been great to have that moment,” he reflected. “I met DMX a couple of times. He actually came to me and Chris Brown‘s tour in Phoenix. I believe that probably was the last time I saw DMX and that was a while ago.
“It was a great record for the scene,” he added. “I’m glad that DMX and Def Jam cleared that record for us to use.”
Since appearing in Like Mike, Bow Wow has gained equal recognition as an actor and television personality as he has as a rapper. On Wednesday (October 19), Bow Wow premiered in his 11th television credit premiered as host to BET’s new reality show After Happily Ever After.
The show places eight divorced couples in a house, with one of the former partners from each relationship looking to make a new love connection, and their ex serving as their designated matchmaker.
“Each week, the matchmaking exes will each select an available suitor to move into this house for their former spouse to date,” Bow Wow explains in the first episode‘s intro. “After 48 hours, the dater must decide if they’re gonna love ’em or leave ’em.”
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On the music front, Bow Wow revealed earlier this year that, with Snoop Dogg‘s support, he intends to release his final solo album on Death Row Records.
“There’s a documentary coming with the album ’cause my last album’s going to be the soundtrack for the documentary,” Bow Wow told HipHopDX. “That’s kind of what me and Snoop was talking about. It helps to get that chance to come back home and bring it in full circle. He wants to do my project. He wants to be a part of it. He wants to produce with me.”
Keep checking HipHopDX for more from our exclusive interview with Bow Wow.
Maybe for the younger generation. If you were listening to rap in the nineties, you rocked with it already. Bow wow ain’t put you on to nothing.
Dmx had a dope early run from 97 to 99. Two freaking all time classics in ONE year. Great artists don’t release even every other year these days, it’s sad. Blood of my blood and it’s dark and hell is hot… then there was X! Crazy few years for that guy. First 2 will always be some of my favorite hiphop albums. No artist to date has brought that level of energy, and I love Pac, but he still couldn’t bring it as hard as X in his prime.
Man, what?! Run those albums back all the time, explored further down the line after he passed. A few songs from each album go that I hadn’t even listened to before. Especially thankful for Goodbye and Life be my song off of YOTD again. Crazy to think what Party Up would’ve done at Woodstock 99.
DMX MUSIC HITS VERY DIFFERENT AFTER HE PASSED.
Last message was to you of course. But yeah, Rest In Peace to the legend. And shoutouts to all the fallen.
“Party up” was already a monster hit before that movie. Nothing else needs to be said.
That song always sounded like sounded like something only to be played at the Pizza Party after Little League win.
THIS GUY LOL. AND THEN THERE WAS X IS DMX BIGGEST ALBUM, AND PARTY UP IS ARGUABLY ONE OF HIS BIGGEST SONGS. FOH!
That song goes crazy stupid. Straight dope! RIP DMX.
Lo this clown aint put anybody on anything. Taking credit after a man’s death. Fuck outta here, fool
Yeah, you were the musical director for like mike and selected all the songs, weirdo industry boy.
Bow Wow looks like a lesbian.
Bow wow ain’t put anything on except a bunch of weight lmao dude looks like mr potato head
Like Mike Moore starring bow wow
Yeah, “Party up (Up in here)” is a track that goes batshhh crazy! It pumps you up! It’s good to listen to before some physical competition or game.
2 times for Mr. BET (Shad Moss), just lay low and continue being you bro!
Who even listen to Bow Wow”s music?
Lol yeah I only heard that song cuz of the movie I’ve never seen. Clown
He says “my movie” as if he wrote, directed and produced, and funded (or financially sponsored) the movie. Talk about egotistical.
I never liked his music but I liked him as an actor in Tokyo Drift though.
he’s looking like ‘too much chow wow’ now lmao