Shaquille O’Neal is arguably one of the greatest players that the NBA has seen. The 15-time All-Star has expanded his horizons to diverse areas, such as television analysis, acting, and even DJing. Shaq has truly embraced a multifaceted personality, and his entertaining touch in everything that he does is remarkable.
The former Lakers star seamlessly transitioned from his legendary basketball career to captivating audiences in the entertainment industry. Notably, alongside his victories as a commentator and player, Shaq’s musical achievements stand tall. The moniker “Big Diesel” extended to his DJ persona as DJ Diesel.
He has numerous performances that captivated the audience and made them feel on top of the world with his grooving music. However, the legend doesn’t take money in any form for his amazing performances on stage.
Hold up, how much does @SHAQ get paid to DJ music festivals? 😱 pic.twitter.com/7wSev3u7Il
— SiriusXM (@SIRIUSXM) August 6, 2019
Shaq candidly said, “I’m doing it for the sport of bass music. I love seeing people jumping up and down, it’s like a game seven”. For him, the link between sports and music lies in their power to offer an escape from the challenges of daily life. The joy of witnessing people revel in the moment, forgetting worries, and embracing excitement is the true reward for him.
Shaquille O’Neal came up with his first rap album in 1993
Shaq released his very rap album just a year after officially starting his basketball career. He was selected by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA draft. The 19-year journey with the NBA along with various other achievements has been fulfilling for the star.
Interestingly, he was able to grab the platinum record on his very first try at music, and it’s truly one of his biggest achievements. Shaq has had numerous collaborations throughout his music career.
However, his most remarkable collaboration is the one in 1995. He teamed up with none other than the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The collaboration arose on MJ’s HIStory album, with Shaq contributing as a guest rapper on the track “2 Bad.”
Shaq expanded his musical ventures, releasing albums in 1994, 1996, and 1998. His growing popularity fostered relationships with influential figures. Some of the notable names include Biggie, Jay-Z, RZA, and Raekwon. They have featured on Shaq’s albums, highlighting his knack for luring top-tier collaborators.
HIT EM LIKE OUT AT MIDNIGHT 💥@ChassiMusic @djdiesel @Monstercat pic.twitter.com/EP9hrXEcK0
— Kozmoz (@IamKozmoz) August 17, 2023
Additionally, Shaquille O’Neal has sold over 1.5 million albums. His albums have carved their niche within the Top 500 albums in the USA, peaking at an exceptional #181. Achieving greatness within a single domain is notable; however, Shaq’s ability to thrive across multiple disciplines strengthens his status as an extraordinary human.