Shad Moss—better known to the hiphop culture as Bow Wow—has spent decades navigating the highs and lows of hip-hop stardom. From his Lil’ Bow Wow era of platinum hits to his transition into acting and television hosting, he’s always been a fixture in entertainment. But now, in 2025, old wounds have been reopened as interrogation footage from his 2019 domestic dispute with ex-girlfriend Kiyomi Leslie has resurfaced, igniting new debates within the hip-hop community.
For people who grew up in the early 2000s, Bow Wow was the teen rap phenomenon with the game on smash. Tracks like “Bounce With Me” and “Bow Wow (That’s My Name)” made him a household name before he was even old enough to get a driver’s license.
As he grew older, he transitioned easily into acting with memorable roles in Like Mike, Roll Bounce, and Lottery Ticket. His career expanded outside of music and film when he became host of 106 & Park, which enabled him to stay relevant even as the rap game shifted. Despite all of his successes, Bow Wow has found himself at the center of controversy, sometimes more for his personal life than for his hip-hop legacy.
On February 2, 2019, Bow Wow and his then-girlfriend, Kiyomi Leslie (a model and Love & Hip-Hop alum), were both arrested following a heated domestic dispute at their Atlanta apartment. The incident left both parties with visible injuries—Bow Wow with deep scratches on his face and torso, while Kiyomi had minor injuries.
According to Bow Wow, Kiyomi “went ballistic” during a fight and attacked him with a lamp. She, for her part, accused him of attacking her a number of times and holding her hostage in their home. Both of them received misdemeanor battery charges for the incident. Still, in the direction the case took, both could not definitively say what happened, with both blaming one for whatever happened.
In 2022, all charges related to the incident were dropped, officially ending the case legally. Kiyomi later addressed public backlash and shut down accusations that she was clout-chasing or after Bow Wow’s money. Meanwhile, Bow Wow continued to push forward in his career, expanding his brand in music, television, and business ventures.
The industry moved on—or so it seemed.
Fast forward to February 2025, and the story has been reignited. Bodycam footage from Bow Wow’s 2019 police interrogation has hit the internet, sending shockwaves through hip-hop media. Bow Wow passionately pleads his case in the footage, emphasizing that he was the victim. He insists that he never retaliated against Kiyomi and urges the officers to compare their injuries, highlighting the deep scratches on his face.
The resurfaced footage has sparked new conversations about male victims of domestic violence, an issue often overlooked in hip-hop and broader culture.
Social media has been ablaze with reactions since the footage dropped. Some fans are rallying behind Bow Wow, reigniting the #JusticeForBowWow movement that initially trended in 2019. Many argue that Bow Wow never received the support he deserved, pointing out the double standards in how male victims of domestic violence are treated.
Others, however, remain divided. Some believe that Bow Wow and Kiyomi were in a toxic situation and neither party was completely innocent. Meanwhile, hip-hop figures have started weighing in—some showing support for Bow Wow, while others remain silent on the matter.
This situation raises larger questions regarding domestic squabbles in hip-hop. Bow Wow entered rap at a young age, but ever since, he has received jokes and disbelief instead of respect.
Does hip-hop culture care about domestic abuse accusations when a male is involved? Do male victims receive the same sympathy and advocacy that female victims receive? How is this case similar to and/or different from other high-profile rap court cases?
As the web continues to dissect the re-emerged clip, work continues for Bow Wow with a laser-sharp focus. Once again, his name is in the limelight, but will this episode wash off the taint, or will it reopen wounds?
