Things Get Heavy on Shaq’s Podcast as Kobe Bryant’s Death Brings Up Emotional Topic

The latest episode of “The Big Podcast with Shaq” featured 4X NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal interviewing American rapper Gillie Da King and his cousin Wallo. However, apart from the revelations and laughs, one touching story surfaced on each side: with Gillie’s son, and with the legacy of Kobe Bryant.

Emotions were high, as Shaq and Gillie shared their experiences. The conversations soon turned to touching moments; through a route of pain and remembering lives came candid thoughts from the American rapper.

Gillie’s feelings about losing his son

Gillie Da King opened up about his son, YNG Cheese with a series of feelings. Cheese was an upcoming rapper himself. He died in July 2023 in a triple shooting incident. When Shaq asked, “We have to live our life you have a lot of energy you know the story I lost my sister we lost Kobe you lost your son how you really feeling?” The 40-year-old icon, Gillie Da King shared his thoughts with a deep sigh, admitting, “Every day is one day at a time you know I might you know I had my days throughout the week.” He continued, “You know it’s chin up chest out man I got a family that I got to be strong for you know what I mean.”

Furthermore, the rapper sang praises about his bonding with the towering Shaq. O’Neal mentioned, “I was one of the first people to call you brother cuz I love you for that.” Gillie remarked, “A lot of times you one of the first people to reach out when all the time whether it’s something good whether it’s something bad whether you just something funny whether you just reaching out to say what’s up so I value that friendship.”

Beyond the surface of friendships, even Kobe Bryant had a successful time on-court with Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal and Bryant won three consecutive NBA championships together, despite their on-and-off beef with each other.

Shaq’s thoughts on the “Black Mamba”

Recently the 18x-All-Star, late Kobe Bryant was honored with a new statue at Crypto.com Arena. It recalls the legacy of Bryant’s 81-point play vs. the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006.  This occasion captured the never-before-seen bond between Shaq and Kobe as O’Neal shared a heartfelt note.

The spotlight turned towards Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant’s Lakers teammate and co-star for eight seasons, as the statue was revealed. During the “NBA on TNT” section, Shaq remembered the “Black Mamba” adding, “When you say Kobe, you say Shaq. When you say Shaq, you say Kobe.” He further continued for the Lakers legend stating, “If I had one wish, I wish we would be talking to him right now.” 

During their on-court days, both icons had an ongoing feud, as Kobe was determined to win a championship without Shaq. Nevertheless, it was a difficult time for everyone including O’Neal to digest the fact of Kobe’s tragic death. Thus, the basketball community is still recollecting the memories of Kobe Bryant.