Bow Wow Goes Back To Using His Real Name

After more than a decade being known as Bow Wow, the rapper-actor has decided that it's time to move on.

Bow Wow announced via Instagram that he's now going by his legal name of Shad Moss. The now 27-year-old rapper posted a message which read, "We made alot of history as bow wow. Now its time for the next chapter and challenge. Bow wow does not fit who i am today. Ima father, business man, TV host, Actor, and rapper! Time for MR Moss to take over!"

This isn't his first name change; he was known as Lil Bow Wow before dropping the "Lil" in 2002.

Responses have ranged from disappointment  ("please don't that name holds sooo many memories," one commenter said) to support "you right. Everything has its own time. You've done a lot as Bow Wow now it's time for Shad (Real)."

Moss says the change will officially take place after the BET Awards on June 29.