LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Rapper Bow Wow is focusing on acting full time in hopes of becoming the next Will Smith.

The 21-year-old artist has joined the upcoming fifth season of HBO's "Entourage" in a recurring role as a stand-up comic. His character, Charlie, is new client of E (Kevin Connolly).

Additionally, Bow Wow has landed a role opposite Forest Whitaker and Isaiah Washington in the sports drama "Patriots," about a high school basketball team in post-Katrina Louisiana.

"After 16 years in the music industry and six successful albums, I've decided to shift my energy to something else I'm passionate about, acting," said Bow Wow, whose real name is Shad Moss. "I'm going to try to be the next Will Smith."

Like Bow Wow, Smith started off as a rapper before segueing into acting.

Moss released a collaborative album last year with singer-turned-actor Omarion titled "Face Off." Later this year, he is set to return to the studio to work on his seventh album, titled "H.I.M. (History in Making)."

On the acting side, he recently wrapped the indie "Driving Lessons" and has appeared in the features "Roll Bounce," "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Johnson Family Vacation" and "All About the Benjamins."

Source: Reuters/Hollywood Reporter