Rapper/actor Bow Wow has confirmed reports he's a new dad in an online letter gushing about his baby daughter Shai Moss.
The 24 year old opens up about why he chose to keep the birth of his daughter by ex-girlfriend Joie Chavis private in the note to his devotees, which was posted on his website on Wednesday (06Jul11).
He also claims his "lil girl", who was reportedly born a month ago (Jun11), has made him realise his role in life - and fatherhood has helped dispel his dark, suicidal thoughts.
In the letter he writes, "Let me start off by saying i love my fans. With out yall (you all) i wudda (would have) been (sic) left the game. For the past 3 years i (have) been batteling (sic) life. Even thought about taking my own. I felt like as a kid i did everything and saw everything too fast which spoiled my adult years. I felt as if i had no purpose to live... until god gave me the illest gift of my life."
He adds, "I waited so long to tell yall the truth because i was nervous on how yall would look at me. Yall know everyone makes a big deal out of everything i do. I wanted to be 1st n let yall know the real (sic). My lil girl is getting Big fast. i love every minute of it. She inspires me to go harder. Even made me treat my mother better, its like it made me into a man over night."
But he won't be posting photos of his daughter online: "Reason is because i want my boo boo to have everything i didnt. Want her to be able to cheerlead with her lil friends without some a**hole sticking his camera all in my lil girl face (sic). I know how fame is. I missed out on so much that i now know how important it is to cherish and have those things in your life."
He also reveals he changes his daughter's diapers, insisting it "Ain't as bad as i thought." And Bow Wow admits he's struggling with the distance between himself and his newborn, adding, "I want her to live with me so bad. Just us 2. Thats my dream man but fellas yall know how it go. Baby gotta stay with they (their) momma and all dat bull. I hate that! So i have to fly 5 hrs away to see her. I find myself going into my i phone book jus lookn at pix of her. Sometimes i tear up cuz (because) i just cant believe it...
"The bs (bulls**t) that comes with having a baby momma is expected... Jus gotta suck it up keep chin high and try not let her get the best of my feelings by playin them stupid games."