Having started his career at age 5, rapper Bow Wow already seems to have a lifetime of experience under his belt at age 20.

The former Lil' Bow Wow has six albums, four feature films — including "All About the Benjamins" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" — and several TV appearances to his credit. His last solo CD, 2006's "The Price of Fame," spawned a string of hit singles, including the No. 1 track "Shortie Like Mine," recorded with current tour-mate Chris Brown.

A new album, "Face Off," pairing Bow Wow (born Shad Moss) with R&B singer Omarion, is causing lots of buzz and will bring a tour later this year. He's in Honolulu for a concert Saturday with Chris Brown at the Blaisdell Arena.

Q. When you left your teens and turned 20, was it a big deal or just a number?

A. For me, just a number. I still have a lot to prove, a lot more work to do. In March, I turn 21, can't wait. I'm putting together some big things for my 21st birthday. I'm a big fan of (boxing champion) Floyd Mayweather, and I want to do a blowout weekend in Vegas, and I'll actually have a chance to spar with Floyd.

Q. Do you recall the moment when you decided you wanted to leave the first part of your career behind and tackle more grown-up themes?

A. It was probably around my fourth album (2005's "Wanted") when I came with one of my most mature (singles) up to that point, "Let Me Hold You" with Omarion. After that, I came with "Like You," which featured (ex-girlfriend) Ciara. Those records were both very mature, but they still captured my hard-core fan base.

Q. You've called Jermaine Dupri, who helped shape your career and produced many of your hits, a mentor and a father figure. Could you talk about that relationship?

A. Even though me and Jermaine are not on talking terms — I haven't seen him in a while — one thing I don't do is discredit somebody. He's definitely been a mentor and a father figure to me. ... He's given me all my hit records; he's made me who I am.

Everything is still cool; I'm just in a different space now. I'm growing up. I want to make my own music, have my own producers.

Q. What triggered the split?

A. A couple of months back, he was supposed to be executive producer on "Face Off." Things didn't work out the way they were supposed to.

Q. This tour with Chris Brown has been doing strong business. Did you know him well before this venture?

A. Yeah, we're very good friends. He spent the night at my house when we were in Atlanta. ... It doesn't even seem like business, we're having so much fun.

Q. You're the older guy now with Chris being 18. Have you given him any advice?

A. Chris doesn't need no advice, man. The kid has his head on his shoulders. He's dominating right now. ... I can see him going a long way.

Q. How do you balance moviemaking and music?

A. It's all about making people move at my pace. ... On the outside looking in, it would look very hectic and crazy, but it's very simple. When it comes to my (long-term) movie career, I'm going to take at least a year and a half or two years off from music to just focus on acting.

Q. Have you settled on your next film project?

A. At this point, no, but I'm getting scripts like crazy. Unfortunately I can't really do them because I'm on tour and the "Face Off" project is my (next) concern. But as soon as I'm done with that, I'm going to Hollywood.