Christian Lantry (ENLARGE)
Bow Wow, who made his recorded debut at age 6, aims for the big leagues with Jermaine Dupri's help.
bowwow's new cd wanted is  now.

HIP-HOP
Bow Wow
"Wanted." Columbia.
12 tracks.
Grade: B-

On "Do You," the opening track on his new album, the artist formerly known as kid rapper Lil' Bow Wow castigates imitators and wannabes. The strange thing is that the very next tune, "Big Dreams," sounds like an Eminem track.

Bow Wow made his recorded debut at age 6 on the Snoop Doggy Dogg album "Doggystyle" (Snoop returns the favor here). Now he's 18, back under the guiding hand of Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri and eager to move up into the big leagues. That's what "Wanted" is all about, though the process began on 2003's "Unleashed." Unfortunately, "Wanted" shows he might need a little more time in the minors to find his own grown-up voice. "Wanted" is never less than interesting and contains some fine tracks, but it's rarely original.

Besides the Eminem-like cadences on "Big Dreams," he pours a little of the ubiquitous crunk juice on "Go," a move that can't help but bring up thoughts of Usher's massive success with "Yeah!" Then there's a hefty dollop of Missy Elliott/Timbaland in "B.O.W." The minimalist arrangement, droning backing chorus and Eastern-flavored squiggles sound awfully familiar. That's just quibbling, though, because the stomping "B.O.W." is also one of the best cuts on the album.

The maturing Bow Wow is at his best when he's got a bed of slow-burning R&B to work over. The single "Let Me Hold You" is a sweet bit of seduction buffed up by the vocal hook provided by former B2K member and touring partner Omarion and a chunk of "If Only for One Night" by the late master Luther Vandross. "Like You," which features Bow Wow's reported main squeeze, Ciara, is likely to follow that Top 20 (and rising) hit up the chart.

He's left "Lil' " behind, but he's still got work to do before he's truly one of the big dogs.

Bow Wow and Omarion bring the "Scream IV" tour to Philips Arena on Aug. 21.

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		Wanted [DualDisc] Label: Sony Released: 07.12.05	List Price: $18.98 Discount: -$1.66 Your Price: $17.32 Status:  In Stock: Usually Ships 24-48 Hours
		Wanted Label: Sony Urban Music/Columbia Released: 07.12.05	List Price: $18.98 Discount: -$4.61 Your Price: $14.37 Status:  In Stock: Usually Ships 24-48 Hours