Shaquille O’Neal’s Hookah Bar Habits Responsible for 10-Year ‘Brotherhood’ With Famous Rapper

“I love rap and will always continue to,” said Shaquille O’Neal once. The seven-footer’s foray into hip-hop began in the early ’90s, which was simultaneous with his meteoric rise in the NBA. His debut album, ‘Shaq Diesel,’ went platinum, powered by the hit single ‘I Know I Got Skillz.’ The Big Aristotle didn’t stop there, releasing four more studio albums and collaborating with hip-hop heavyweights like The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and Nas. It is quite understandable that being a prominent rapper meant connecting with a lot of people in the industry and recently the Los Angeles Lakers standout has revealed about one of his friendships.

During the latest episode of the ‘Whozfire‘ podcast, Shaquille O’Neal revealed the first time when he met the famous rapper from Houston, Frazier Othel Thompson aka Trae tha Truth. While you may think that both the rappers might have met in a recording studio, it was rather a place where most of the fans wouldn’t have expected them to meet.

“You remember how we met?… I was a fan of his before I knew who he was. So I heard a song that he did with TI, that s**t was bumping. So I was in a hookah bar one day, Trae would come to me and say I’m Trae the truth. And before he can say something like, you Trae the Truth? [Shaq making a pointing gesture]. And then I would bump some of his other old music that I didn’t even know that it was him. So I was a fan of his way before we met but that was like what 10 years ago?” said O’Neal during the podcast which was followed by Trae’s comment, “Yeah we’ve been brothers.”

The unlikely venue for their first meeting speaks volumes about the laid-back, authentic nature of their connection. The 44-year-old has been known for his music and also for his commitment to his community and his discography spans over two decades, including standout albums like “Restless” and “Tha Truth” series, which have cemented his status as a respected underground artist. His influence goes way beyond music. The rapper was also on the front lines during Hurricane Harvey, rescuing fellow residents stranded atop their boats and organizing relief efforts. He devoted himself to his city, and so earned his own ‘Trae Day’ in Houston, which pays homage to him with an annual celebration of his community work.

 Shaq’s larger-than-life persona and Trae’s grounded, community-focused approach complement each other in unexpected ways. Moreover, to honor their 10-year-old friendship, the 44-year-old rapper even had a gift for his friend.

Trae the Truth celebrates a decade-old friendship with Shaquille O’Neal

Reminiscing about the past wasn’t the only thing that both of the rappers did during the podcast, they even celebrated their 10 years of brotherhood. Trae the Truth also surprised his longtime friend Shaquille O’Neal with a truly unique and thoughtful gift, which was a big boombox player.

Interestingly, the size wasn’t the only thing that was unique about the boombox. The body of the device was fully painted in white color and the speaker grills had the original ‘Superman’ logo printed on them, which was a nod to Shaq’s larger-than-life presence and his often-used nickname. “I don’t know, I gotta do something for you… You are gonna make me cry. Ten years, man, you always, like, you know, you be like, where you at? I’m in Atlanta too. What’s your address? He’ll come to the house, you know, he’ll bring gifts and stuff,” said O’Neal during the podcast.

Moreover, Shaq even knew that Trae was going to bring something for him. So, before the boombox was revealed, the seven-footer had warned the rapper by saying, “Come on Trae stop man.” The boombox is sure to become a treasured possession, serving as a constant reminder of their enduring friendship and shared passion for music.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger