Shaquille O’Neal retired from the NBA 13 years in the past, however he’s by no means misplaced his aggressive spirit.
When he’s requested about changing into the second participant in NBA historical past to have three retired jerseys, he asks, “Who’s first?” When he speaks about coming again to the hip-hop music scene, he instructions: “I’ve to ensure they are saying, ‘Shaq is the very best rapper/athlete ever.’”
His aggressive nature can be the explanation why he’s returning along with his wild and epic pre-Tremendous Bowl celebration Shaq’s Enjoyable Home, which is in its sixth yr and can happen at Las Vegas’ XS Nightclub at Wynn on Feb. 9, two days earlier than the Huge Sport. “I’m a jealous competitor. The explanation why we’re doing Shaq’s Enjoyable Home? I need individuals to say that’s the very best celebration ever,” he explains to THR.
“It’s competitors. We obtained into this as a result of I obtained bored with going to events and spending some huge cash and never having any enjoyable. $60k for the airplane, $50k for the rooms for me and my boys. [You] obtained to name individuals and get passes while you get there. It simply was a nightmare,” he continues. “So I used to be like, ‘We have to create our personal factor.’”
O’Neal, who has been residing in Sin Metropolis for 30 years, is hoping to offer partygoers a great night time out along with his carnival-styled extravaganza, which can embody performances by Lil Wayne, Diplo and O’Neal himself, who moonlights as digital dance DJ Diesel.
In an interview, O’Neal talks about his upcoming celebration, why he booked Lil Wayne, remembers recording music with Kobe Bryant, and explains how he jumped on the remix of Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s current hit “Shaq & Kobe.”
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What makes this yr’s Shaq’s Enjoyable Home particular?
I’m dropping my costs to $99. Yeah. Shaq doesn’t benefit from the individuals. I by no means need to benefit from the individuals. We all know it’s going to be lots of people there. We all know it’s going to be competitors there, however I’m guaranteeing no one dropping their costs. That’s what’s going to make us stand out. It’s going to be an excellent occasion.
Lil Wayne for $99 shouldn’t be unhealthy. Why is he the right performer for this occasion?
I truly been figuring out him since he was a teen in Louisiana. Icon. [He’s the] Michael Jordan, LeBron, Kobe of hip-hop. Don’t like to make use of the phrase “crossover,” however everyone loves him. I used to be on the L.A. Tremendous Bowl with [Dr.] Dre after they have been performing, and also you all the time assume that’s us, and I look over at my white associates [and they’re singing] offbeat, “Ain’t nuthin’ however a G…” Like, no, you’re offbeat. So any Lil Wayne tune, individuals are going to know the phrases. And he’s an excellent performer.
Music helps a number of athletes prep for video games — who have been the artists that impressed you earlier than you performed?
So since I’m a rugged participant, something Loss of life Row and something No Restrict. Wu-Tang. Something that had that thump thump, as a result of I needed to be in g-mode. You understand the phrase I’m searching for.
You returned to rap final yr and have launched a ton of songs. What made you need to get again to rapping?
Within the rap recreation, I take it private after they say anyone else is healthier than me and [you know] the identify I’m speaking about. So pay attention, I like him, good pal of mine, however I’ve to ensure they are saying “Shaq is the very best rapper/athlete ever.” Ain’t no “Shaq and…” Look, it’s simply all enjoyable. I don’t need to be a rapper. I attempted it and the cash, it was cool however I used to be making extra money doing different issues. It’s simply to drop one thing, go viral, learn the feedback. After which I’m the kind that once I get criticized, I don’t get delicate, it simply motivates me. So you’ll be able to say no matter you need to say about me — you’ll be able to’t damage my emotions. I’ll see one thing [like] “however Dame [D.O.L.L.A. aka Damian Lillard] is healthier.” Oh, he’s? I simply begin writing once more. So I obtained about 10 that I’m simply lining up. I even shot movies, too.
Did you hear Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s “Shaq & Kobe” earlier than you jumped on the remix?
Rick despatched it to me first, so I didn’t even have his permission, so I simply looped it and I went in and I used to be like, “I hope you prefer it.” And I despatched it to him. He stated, “Man, you probably did that quick.” So then he hit me again, “Can I exploit it?” And I used to be like, “Certain.” After which he obtained actually too skilled on me — he began sending paperwork. I stated, “Bro, you don’t must. I don’t need no cash.” I’m like, “Rick, I don’t need nothing, bro.” I’m simply grateful for the chance to be on the tune. After which once I heard Dame on it, I used to be like, “Mom effer, mom effer.”
How does it really feel to be on a tune about your legacy with Kobe?
When he despatched it to me, I knew what he was speaking about. He was saying that him and Meek have been there collectively — they’re so dominant that there’s actually no comparability.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in 2017.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Pictures
You and Kobe recorded music years in the past. Do you keep in mind that session? What was that like?
He got here in, knocked it out in 10 minutes and left. It was me, him and DJ Clark Kent. He got here in, knocked it out. Kobe’s sensible. Don’t let that mamba idiot you. Kobe could be very tremendous clever. And that is when you may put a number of phrases within the rap, he got here in with the massive phrases and we didn’t actually put it on the market. We didn’t need to actually put it on the market like that, however it’s nonetheless on the market.
You additionally recorded with legends like Biggie and Jay-Z. What do you bear in mind about these classes?
In order that’s why I truly signed my file deal. Look, I by no means wished to be a rapper. I did The Arsenio Corridor Present with Fu-Schnickens. My agent referred to as me the subsequent day. He stated, “Man, you need me to entertain this?” He’s like, “They’re providing you a three-album file deal for $10 million?” I stated, “What? $10 million for 3 albums?” I used to be like, “Say that once more.” Yeah, $10 million for 3 albums.
And one factor I’ve, I’m real looking. I’m like, “I can’t do fucking three albums on my own.” So then I stated, “OK, inform them I need to do collabs with my favourite artists and in the event that they don’t settle for that, I’m not going to do it. I ain’t going to place myself on the market. I’m not a rapper.” In order that was my entire factor. After which I used to be a child that was chasing desires. So I used to be like, “Hey, Redman’s from my neighborhood. Name him up. “Crimson, this Shaq.” “Oh man, what’s up?” “Hey man, I’m doing an album, you assume you may get Erick Sermon?” “Let me name you again.” They referred to as me again, they’re like, “I obtained Fu-Schnickens, obtained Erick Sermon and Redman.” “Hey, you understand Puff?” “Yeah.” Hollered at Puff and stated, “OK, we’ll get Biggie.” “You understand Fats Joe?” As a result of all these guys have been basketball followers, a number of them stated sure.
However what they did to safe their integrity, I needed to check out. So when Erick Sermon got here, I needed to rap in order that they made positive it wasn’t gimmicky. However see, they didn’t perceive that we’re all the identical individuals. I used to be doing it simply so long as them. And after they have been popping out, I had their type, I had that stream. I used to be a grasp freestyler … I used to be all the time fast at that. So each producer that got here in, as soon as I rapped for the primary time and so they noticed I used to be critical, they stated, “OK, that’s dope.” After which they might simply nice tune it up.
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I simply learn that you simply’re the second NBA participant to have three retired jerseys — how does that really feel?
Oh, who’s the primary? See, that pisses me off proper now. I’m so pissed proper now. Wouldn’t it be Wilt? Magic? Michael?
Chamberlain!
Mom…. Mom…
You’re actually aggressive.
Oh, I’m. Oh, I’m pissed. Rattling it.
But it surely’s nonetheless an incredible legacy.
No. No. I don’t even need it anymore.
