APBow Wow owns his own record label, LBW Entertainment.

He's not Lil' anymore.

In fact, Shad Gregory Moss, who turned 21 in March, hasn't gone by Lil' Bow Wow since 2002.

As if to prove a point, the artist formerly known as Lil' has continued to mold and shape a career that would make much bigger -- and older -- stars envious.

His latest coup? Being cast on the hip, acclaimed HBO series "Entourage." You'll see him when the series starts its fifth season in the fall, but first, you'll have a chance to see him tonight at Boutwell Auditorium.

Don't know a Bow Wow from a Snoop Dogg? Here are some things you may want to know about the lil' guy:

• Why Lil'? He was given the nickname Lil' Bow Wow by Dr. Dre, who discovered the tyke with Snoop Dogg. Lil' Bow Wow appeared in Snoop's "Gin and Juice" video.

• First bark: Lil' Bow Wow began working with super-producer Jermaine Dupri, and in 2000, at age 13, he released his first album, "Beware of Dog."

• Dog years: "Beware of Dog" was followed by 2001's "Doggy Bag" and 2003's "Unleashed," which was the first CD released without Bow Wow using Lil'.

• Pooch power: Subsequent CDs have included 2005's "Wanted," 2006's "The Price of Fame" and, with Omarion, 2007's "Face Off." Singles have included "Let Me Hold You" (with Omarion), "Like You" (featuring Ciara), "Shortie Like Mine" (with Chris Brown) and "Outta My System" (with T-Pain).

• Pet sounds: Bow Wow isn't through singing. Next up is "H.I.M. (History in Making)," a CD due later this year.

• Bad dog: Though he has generally stayed out of trouble, Bow Wow has feuded with Lil Romeo.

• Good dog: Bow Wow and Omarion are up for a Teen Choice Award for "Hey Baby (Jump Off)." They'll find out in August if they're winners.

• A dog by any other name: Ticketmaster says that beginning in August, Bow Wow will begin performing some dates using his birth name, Shad Moss.

• Acting up: Bow Wow has expanded his career horizons by adding quite a bit of acting to his resume. TV series appearances have included "Moesha," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Smallville" and "Ugly Betty." Films include "Like Mike," "Johnson Family Vacation," "Roll Bounce" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift."

• Dog's life: He recently announced a shift toward even more acting, including a recurring role in "Entourage" (as a stand-up comedian and new client of E's) and the Forest Whitaker film "Patriots." He said this recently to the Hollywood Reporter: "After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I've decided to shift my energy to something else I'm passionate about, acting. I'm going to try to be the next Will Smith."

• Dog house: Bow (yes, his Web site indicates this is his first name) has homes in Miami and Atlanta, and his MySpace page indicates he's based in New York.