After his time on the basketball court, music became the ultimate alternative career for the versatile Shaquille O’Neal. Throughout his illustrious 19-season, six-team NBA career, the legend pursued his musical passion in parallel. While fans adored his basketball prowess, they also embraced his DJ skills. In 1993, the champion released his debut album, marking the start of his journey in the music industry. Today, on the 29th anniversary of his iconic second album, “Shaq Fu: Da Return,” let’s reflect on his remarkable impact. 

Before delving into his music career, let’s first explore his basketball career and see where he truly dominated.

Shaquille O’Neal as a basketball player

Shaq’s basketball journey commenced at Robert G. Cole High School in San Antonio, where he secured a scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU). During his time at LSU, he achieved remarkable milestones, including back-to-back Southeastern Conference Player of the Year titles in 1991 and 1992, along with consensus first-team All-American honors in both those years.

Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in guiding the LSU Tigers to the NCAA tournament during all three college seasons. He became the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. In the NBA, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising young talents, earning the title of 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year in his debut season.

He played a significant role in the Orlando Magic, taking the team to their first-ever playoff appearance in his second season. Subsequently, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers, signing a historic $121 million contract. With the Lakers, Shaq was instrumental in winning three consecutive NBA championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002, earning NBA Finals MVP honors each time.

Following a fallout with Kobe Bryant, Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat, where he played a pivotal role in securing their first championship in 2006 alongside Dwyane Wade. After a season marred by injuries with the Phoenix Suns in 2008-2009, Shaq teamed up with LeBron James in the Cleveland Cavaliers and had a brief stint with the Boston Celtics before retiring in 2011.

His basketball legacy includes four NBA championships, three Finals MVP awards, one regular season MVP, three All-Star Game MVPs, and Olympic and World Championship gold medals. Often compared to Wilt Chamberlain, Shaq undeniably stands among the basketball greats.

In addition to his basketball achievements, he made an undeniable impact in the music industry as well, showcasing his versatility.

Shaquille O’Neal as DJ Diesel 

Recently, he introduced his fifth album, Gorilla Warfare. His concerts draw substantial crowds and frequently sell out arenas. As he continues to expand his presence in the electronic music scene, let’s reflect on his journey thus far.

After retiring from basketball, the legend never truly took a break. He immediately set his sights on forging a new career, focusing on music. While his DJ career is still on the rise, people are gradually becoming more interested in his music. He has already released four studio albums. Around 1993, he signed with Jive Records, debuting with “Shaq Diesel,” which reached number 25 on the Billboard 200, number 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and achieved platinum status certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His second album, “Shaq Fu: Da Return,” reached number 67 on the Billboard 200, number 19 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and earned gold certification from the RIAA. 

His third and fourth albums, “You Can’t Stop the Reign” and “Respect,” were released in 1996, and 1998 respectively. He often performs at several music festivals such as Tomorrowland, Lost Lands, Lollapalooza, and more. 

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Who emerges as the victor between DJ Diesel and the formidable Big Aristotle?

When comparing his prowess on the court to his skills as a musician, it’s clear that basketball is where he truly shines. Shaq’s basketball career boasts many accolades, including NBA championships and MVP awards. As a DJ, he has done some chart-topping, however, this is just the beginning of his music career. We are yet to witness more of the legend’s musical magic. 

What do you think about Shaq as a basketball player versus Shaq as a DJ? Let us know in the comments below.

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