Shad Moss is back. Honestly, if you grew up in the 2000s, seeing the name Bow Wow attached to a new record feels like a glitch in the matrix, but in the best way possible. This time around, he didn't come alone. He brought Chris Brown along for the ride.
The track is called Use Me.
It dropped in March 2025, and let’s be real, the internet didn't know whether to throw a party or ask what year it was. It’s been more than ten years since these two actually sat down and cooked something together. We aren't talking about a leaked snippet or a 15-second TikTok sound. We’re talking about a full-blown single produced by Hitmaka and Go Grizzly.
Why Bow Wow Chris Brown Use Me Is More Than Just A Song
People keep asking why this matters.
Well, it matters because nostalgia is a hell of a drug. Bow Wow and Breezy have this weird, unspoken chemistry that dates back to the "Shortie Like Mine" era in 2006. If you were there, you remember the MySpace-themed music video. It was a moment. Then they gave us "Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You" in 2010.
Then? Silence. For fifteen years, we got nothing.
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Bow Wow actually admitted to Billboard that he was basically retired. He was selling out arenas on the Millennium Tour, making bank, and just didn't feel the itch to record. He said it was actually Chris Brown who cornered him at his house and told him he was "tripping." According to Bow, Chris told him, "I need Bow back. We need you, bro."
That’s a heavy endorsement. When one of the biggest R&B stars on the planet puts a battery in your back, you go to the booth.
The Sound of Use Me
The track itself is smooth. It isn't trying to be a drill song or some hyper-modern trap anthem that doesn't fit their brand. It samples the 2000 Murder Inc. classic "Down A** Chick" by Ja Rule. It’s a smart move. It leans into that R&B-rap crossover lane that they owned two decades ago.
Chris Brown handles the hook—obviously—crooning about being "used" in a way that feels very on-brand for him. Bow Wow’s flow is surprisingly sharp. He isn't trying to sound like a teenager anymore. He’s 38 now. He sounds like a guy who’s seen the top, left, and came back because he actually wanted to, not because he had to.
- Producers: Hitmaka, Go Grizzly, Paul Cabbin.
- Label: BPC Music Group (Black Promoters Collective).
- Release Date: March 28, 2025.
It’s the first release under Bow Wow's new deal with the Black Promoters Collective. This is interesting because BPC is usually known for putting on massive tours, not necessarily being a traditional record label. It shows a shift in how veteran artists are handling their business in 2026. They're cutting out the middleman and going straight to the people who control the live stages.
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The Chart Reality
Let's look at the numbers because they tell a specific story. Bow Wow Chris Brown Use Me didn't fly to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 instantly. It debuted at #90. In the UK, it hit #57 on the iTunes charts.
Does that mean it's a flop? Not really.
Success for an artist like Bow Wow in 2026 isn't measured by beating Taylor Swift. It’s measured by engagement within the "Urban" and R&B communities. With over 8 million plays on YouTube Music within a month, it's clear the core fanbase was hungry. It’s a "grown and sexy" record. It’s for the people who used to record 106 & Park on VHS tapes.
The critics have been a bit split. Some YouTubers called it "trapped in the past." Others loved the throwback feel. But honestly, if you're a Bow Wow fan, you aren't looking for him to reinvent the wheel. You want that specific feeling he gives off when he’s trading bars with an R&B singer.
What This Means For The New Album
This single is the lead-off for a project Bow Wow has been teasing for years. It’s his first full-length effort since New Jack City II way back in 2009. He’s calling this era a blessing, and with the "Boys 4 Life" tour scheduled for 2026, the momentum is actually building.
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The song works because it's organic. Bow said they have a group chat and talk every day. It wasn't a forced label collaboration where two people who hate each other send files across the country. They were in the room. They felt the vibe.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Listeners
If you're trying to get the most out of this comeback, here is how to navigate the new era of Bow Wow and Chris Brown:
Listen to the Trilogy
To really appreciate Use Me, you need to listen to it in sequence with "Shortie Like Mine" and "Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout You." It completes a twenty-year arc of their friendship and musical evolution. You can hear the voices change from high-pitched teens to seasoned vets.
Check the Credits
Pay attention to Hitmaka's production. He’s been the secret sauce for R&B hits for the last five years. If you like the vibe of this track, his back catalog with artists like Ty Dolla $ign and Jeremih will be right up your alley.
Watch the Future Cameo
Keep an eye out for the music video and the surrounding promo. There was a viral moment involving Future making a cameo that sparked a ton of conversation. It shows that despite the "washed" allegations people like to throw at older rappers, Bow Wow still has the respect of the heavy hitters in Atlanta.
Follow the BPC Move
Watch how this BPC Music Group deal plays out. If you're an independent artist or just a fan of the business side of music, this is a blueprint for how "legacy" artists can maintain control of their masters and their touring revenue simultaneously.
The song is out now on all major streaming platforms. It’s a solid addition to any late-night R&B playlist, especially if you’re looking for something that feels familiar but fresh. Shad Moss proved he’s still got some gas in the tank, and with Chris Brown riding shotgun, the engine sounds pretty good.