Breaking Down in Tears on Stage, 51 YO Music Legend Consoled by Shaquille O’Neal and Thousands Others After Big Night

The marriage between hip-hop music and basketball has been a long-standing affair. Whether it is the current crop or the old heads, NBA athletes definitely know how to engage in the craft. Perhaps the most successful from the old crop was Shaquille O’Neal aka Diesel. Among the current generation, Damian Lillard, aka DAME D.O.L.L.A, holds a lot of sway. Having such a firm interest in rap music, the bonhomie between NBA athletes and rappers is visible on global platforms.

Therefore, it is not a surprise when Diesel is giving respect to a rap legend who was one of the best solo artists in the 1990s. This legendary rapper has seen the 90s hip-hop scene up close and was honing his craft amidst the East Coast-West Coast rivalry.

Shaq has deep roots in the rap industry

The Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards bring a lot of high-profile people to the stage and garner a ton of attention. During the Award ceremony, veteran rapper Busta Rhymes received the “Lifetime Achievement Award”. This award acknowledges the contribution of the musician for many years alongside the community work he has done.

While receiving the Award, an emotional Rhymes said, “I’m gonna wear it on my sleeve, I do wanna cry”.

As his crying face flashed on the screen, thousands in the crowd and across the globe also joined in celebrating his legacy.

The applause continued for a long time. Of course, Shaquille O’Neal also joined in the praise and shared a story of the video where Rhymes is receiving the award and then crying.

They are both 51 years old and touched stardom in the 1990s. In the 90s, Shaq was a dominating player for the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Lakers, Rhymes for releasing hits that amaze the critics. There is also a rare photo of them together, clicked in 1997 during MTV Rock n’ Jock basketball. Their open-jawed smile implies they were having a great time together. 

Shaq could relate to a rapper crying on the stage after getting one of the most prestigious awards. He has been close to the rap industry for four decades now. Like him, Busta Rhymes began his career at the same time too. The celebrated rapper is actively involved with the NBA. In fact, he’s produced many soundtracks for games and performed during halftime shows.

The Legacy of Busta Rhymes

Born Trevor George Smith Jr., Busta Rhymes got this MC name from Chuck D belonging to the revolutionary rap group Public Enemy. The singer’s debut album The Coming was platinum, entering the top ten of billboards in 1996. Working alongside heavyweights like A Tribe Called Quest, The Notorious BIG, and KRS-One to name a few, he had a solid career in many regards.

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Despite not winning one, he received 12 Grammy nominations. This makes him the most nominated artist without any wins. However, he doesn’t need a Grammy to prove his mettle.

Have you ever checked out a song or album by him? Do share in the comments below.

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