Bow Wow Chosen As Xbox April 'Artist of the Month' - Challenges Fans to Play Online 'Game with Fame' Session on Wednesday, April 15

With his much-anticipated new album, "New Jack City II," in stores now, hip-hop icon Bow Wow is celebrating April 2009 with his fans as an Xbox LIVE® "Artist of the Month."

On Wednesday, April 15, Bow Wow will play the popular Xbox 360 video game, NBA Live 09, online with Xbox LIVE® Gold members.

Gamers who want an opportunity to play Bow Wow can send a friend request to the following Gamertag: Bow Wow GWF.

Gamers should be online at 4:30 P.M. ET - one-half hour before the Game with Fame session starts at 5:00 P.M. ET on Wednesday, April 15.

For more information, please visit: www.xbox.com/gwfbowwow

During the month of April, gamers can also check out "On the Road to New Jack City II", an exclusive video behind-the-scenes preview of Bow Wow's scorching new album, available as a free download at the Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Released by Columbia Records on Tuesday, March 31, Bow Wow's "New Jack City II," is one of the year's most heavily anticipated urban music releases. The first solo album from Bow Wow since 2006's "The Price of Fame," "New Jack City II" is the artist's first full-length album release since "Face Off," his 2007 collaboration with his fellow chart-topper Omarion.

Bow Wow's new album is available in three unique configurations: 1) a general audience version featuring the "New Jack City II" CD with a fold-out poster; 2) a deluxe package edition including the CD plus a bonus DVD containing an hour-long Bow Wow live concert performance, music videos, footage of Bow Wow's participation in the historic 2008 Walk Across America voter registration initiative, and a photo gallery; 3) an exclusive WalMart edition featuring three bonus tracks - Bow Wow's smash hit 2008 single "Marco Polo" (featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em), "Big Girls" and "Anything You Can Do."

"New Jack City II" reunites Bow Wow with longtime mentor and producer Jermaine Dupri, who helmed the artist's breakout debut "Beware Of Dog." Released in 2000, the double platinum album catapulted the then-13-year-old rap phenomenon into the hip-hop stratosphere with the hits "Bounce With Me" and "Bow Wow (That's My Name)," a #1 US Hot Rap Single in 2001.

Executive produced by Michael T. Mauldin and Shad Moss (aka Bow Wow), "New Jack City II" features production and other musical contributions from Jermaine Dupri, T-Pain, Ron Browz, T.I., Nelly, Trey Songz and more.

Earlier this year, Bow Wow was one of the artists selected by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to perform at the "Kids' Inaugural: We Are The Future," a concert honoring military families which aired on the Disney Channel on Monday, January 19, 2009.

Bow Wow recently completed a national promotional tour of more than 25 cities culminating with a stop in Atlanta at the Boys and Girls Club of America National Keystone Conference where he performed and spoke to more than 1,500 Boys and Girls Club of America members from all across the country.

Bow Wow -- who entered the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1 on the U.S. charts -- has been making hip-hop history since the release of his multi-platinum selling debut, "Beware of Dog," in 2000. Throughout the 21st century, Bow Wow has enjoyed an unbroken string of gold and platinum Top 10 (or better) singles and albums including 2001's "Doggy Bag," 2003's "Unleashed," 2005's "Wanted," 2006's "The Price of Fame," and 2007's "Face Off."

The charismatic young performer has found a parallel career as a successful television and film actor. His big screen credits include "Like Mike" (one of the 50 Top Grossing films of 2002), "All About The Benjamins" (2003), "Johnson Family Vacation" (2004), "Roll Bounce" (2005) and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" (2006). More recent roles include "Hurricane Season," "Driving Lessons," and "Patriots." After appearing in "Moesha" and "Carmen: A Hip Hopera," Bow Wow has gone on to a series of high profile television appearances including "Smallville," "Ugly Betty" and a recurring role in the fifth season of "Entourage."

Named as one of People magazine's "100 Most Beautiful People" in 2008, Bow Wow became the first entertainer to be asked to join Stephon Marbury's Starbury, an athletic apparel company dedicated to providing stylish and affordable products. Bow Wow's sneakers and clothing for men and women will debut later this year with plans to donate a percentage of profits to charitable organizations around the world.

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SOURCE: Columbia Records

CONTACT: Patti Webster, +1-732-469-5955, patti@w-wpr.com, or Aliya
Crawford, +1-732-469-5955, Aliya@w-wpr.com, both of W&W Public Relations,
Inc.; or Andre Morris of Columbia Records, +1-212-833-5072,
Andre.Morris@sonymusic.com

Web Site: http://www.columbiarecords.com/