“Rapping, I’m the No. 1 athlete rapper,” Shaquille O’Neal said during one of his appearances on The Pivot Podcast. He first entered the music scene in 1993. Why is it that when athletes rap, it’s treated like a side hustle? For O’Neal, the platinum plaque didn’t just represent success — it represented pushing back against that narrative. That an athlete couldn’t be taken seriously in an art form that’s deeply connected to the roots he came from. Perhaps only fans and listeners who truly connect with his music can recognize that effort. When a seemingly skeptical host tried to criticize O’Neal’s rap albums, a former NBA player was quick to defend him.

He was right in doing so. O’Neal’s latest event, Shaq’s Fun House, saw a gathering of 5,000 people. The Big Aristotle’s attendance at other events has seen equal success,  and much of this success traces back to his early passion for music. That legacy is hard to argue with. However, Tap In with TT host TT Torez felt otherwise and asked her guest Iman Shumpert if he agreed with her opinion of O’Neal not being a good rapper. Surprisingly, he disagreed. 

“Shaq is one of them guys that I can’t say he the best like people will be like he the best hooping rapper we ever had and I tell people all the time I don’t think that because he sold a million records and I’m like he sold it with his brand I felt like the brand but that’s what makes Shaq a raw businessman he didn’t care to be the greatest rapper,” Shumpert explained.

“He probably could have put his mind to being put in his pen to be there, but instead he played into his brand. His brand is fun,” he noted. This isn’t the first time that he appreciated O’Neal’s music.

During his appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s podcast, Shumpert even took a shot at Shaq’s music “fans”. He claimed that some people only appreciate the basketball legend by reiterating his achievements, such as the platinum honor. However, as soon as he asked them to name songs they liked, nobody was able to answer. Shumpert himself has a love for rap songs and has released a few tracks. It’s safe to assume that he knows a thing or two about rapping. He recognizes the efforts behind O’Neal’s music. But, there’s another man who perhaps knows better. 

What makes Shaquille O’Neal different from other artists?

We know how much the 4x NBA champion loves music! It is indeed true that O’Neal has been able to put his focus into his music career after his retirement. But this can’t be limited to one of his hobbies. It is quite noticeable that the NBA legend doesn’t earn a single penny from his DJ career. DJ Irie, who has previously worked with the Los Angeles Lakers legend, feels the same. DJ Irie got to know more about O’Neal during the time the 4x NBA champ joined the Miami Heat. In this, O’Neal asked him to help kickstart his career in DJing.

In an episode of the Digital Social Hour Podcast, hosted by Sean Kelly, DJ Irie said, “The difference between Shaq and other quote-and-unquote celebrity DJs whatever, the guy freaking loves it. Obsessed with it. And he really and truly put in the work, and he has the talent. So it was really cool to be there in the beginning and work with him.”

Being so dedicated, Shaquille O’Neal made his childhood dreams come true. As a big fan of the Brooklyn-based hip-hop trio, Fu-Schnickens, Shaq ultimately collaborated with them on the song, What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock) in 1993. It became a top-40 hit and was certified gold by the RIAA. Big Diesel even collaborated with artists such as the Notorious BIG and Michael Jackson in his almost-three-decade-long career. But perhaps his biggest collab isn’t a Grammy winner after all.

 Shaq inspired his son Myles to take up the turntables, too. While all his kids love music, the 27-year-old has made a career in it. Now, the father-son duo is often seen teaming up to perform at some of the most popular and elite events. The two became the first father-son duo to perform at Tomorrow Land. Both will perform again at the Breakaway Music Festival in Worcester. Regardless of everything, O’Neal’s love for music remains undebatable.