When you’re the host of a glamorous charity gala, you make it known. The ever-so-charming Shaquille O’Neal organized The Event for the third year in a row in Las Vegas. The performance lineup of his celebrity friends topped the last two years. But some things remained the same. Namely, Shaq. Flaunting his new physique and dashing suit, Big Diesel made a splash on stage. The only problem is it was during an 8x Grammy Award-winning rapper’s performance.

The banter that ensued was typical of Shaq. But he’s met his match in a lyrical genius emcee.

Shaquille O’Neal’s impromptu performance steals a rapper’s thunder

Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Ray Romano, Dan+Shay, and Anderson .Paak was the spectacular lineup for The Event on October 7. The fundraiser concert at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand benefits The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. In its third year, Shaq has only made it bigger and better.

DJ Diesel is a performer himself and he won’t skip the opportunity to have the spotlight on him. So at The Event, he broke out on stage to perform a duet of Silk Sonic’s ‘Leave the Door Open’ with Anderson .Paak. According to the two artists, this performance was completely improvised.

Shaq crashed the stage during the 37-year-old’s set and, like the dominant NBA center he is, swept the performance away. After his impromptu show, he admitted, “I know I hurt a lot of people’s ears.”

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Hardly. Sure, he’s no J-Hud, but he’s also a multi-platinum-selling rapper and bass stalwart. And he has experience stealing the thunder at The Event. As Paak put it, “But Shaq, he had heart. It was blind courage, but he did it, he did make it through.”

In 2022, The Event had the likes of Maroon 5, H.E.R. and Pitbull. He barged on stage during Maroon 5’s performance to sing an improvised duet of ‘This Love‘ with Adam Levine. Artists should anticipate Shaq’s interruption at the gala. But it was Paak who had the mic drop moment.

Shaquille O’Neal & Co. party with Anderson .Paak

After their duet, everyone obviously wanted to know how the singer-songwriter felt about performing with the 7’1 giant. His answer was hilarious. “Imma be honest with you, I had to carry that.” 

Paak changed his tune after getting that jab in. He hinted this wouldn’t be their last performance together. “We gonna work on it. We gonna have a few rehearsals.” Though he did imply they’d need some auto-tune magic to make Shaq’s voice work.

The more wholesome side of Paak showed with another O’Neal. Shaq splurged $20,000 so his mom would have an exclusive seat on the stage. Apart from watching the performers up close, she also danced with Paak on stage while Shaq watched with a smile.

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Obviously, Anderson .Paak and Shaquille O’Neal are the duo the world needs. We’re waiting for that promise of an official collab to drop.