Legendary Collaboration: Shaquille O’Neal and Damian Lillard Team Up with Rick Ross and Meek Mill for 'Shaq and Kobe' Rap Track
Shaquille O'Neal teams up with rap heavyweights Meek Mill and Rick Ross to drop an epic new track titled 'Shaq and Kobe' Making a triumphant return to rap after three decades, Shaq proves he's still got the skills Get ready for some fire verses and an unforgettable collaboration!
Shaquille O'Neal, now 51 years old, returns to the spotlight as a musician, three decades after his first successful track made it to the Top 40 charts. While he has taken to electronic dance music (EDM) in recent years under his DJ alias, DIESEL, the renowned basketball player is reminding the world of his hip-hop roots. Collaborating with Rick Ross and Meek Mill on their latest album, "Too Good Be True," O'Neal concludes the record by adding his own touch to the lead single, "SHAQ & KOBE." He joins forces with Damian Lillard, also known as Dame D.O.L.L.A., a fellow basketball player turned rapper. The remix showcases the talents of the four-time NBA champion and his fellow baller.
Sitting on my throne, I reflect on the time I've spent in my element. I make sure to remind those who tend to forget because you all have a tendency to do so. "I managed to keep the show going all the time, but I also had my fun. I did it my way, and that led me to wealth," raps O'Neal.
Lillard, also known as DAME D.O.L.L.A. at 33 years old, incorporates basketball imagery into his verse. "I'm making the calls, not wasting time or being selfish. We pass the ball and push hard, not just casually jogging. It's about teamwork, we come together and strengthen our bond. And when we're on the court, everyone will recognize our accomplishments," raps the seven-time NBA All-Star.
Ross, aged 47, together with Mill, aged 36, unveiled the O’Neal/Lillard remix of “SHAQ & KOBE” prior to the release of Too Good To Be True. However, the song garnered fresh attention upon the arrival of the complete album. High anticipation surrounds this project, which also showcases guest appearances from French Montana on “Millionaire Row,” Future on “In Luv With The Money,” Wale and The-Dream on “Fine Lines,” Teyana Taylor and DJ Khaled on “Above The Law,” Vory and Fabolous on “Dead Last,” the production duo Cool & Dre and BEAM on “Go To Hell,” and Jeremih on “Gold Medals.”
In 1993, O'Neal rose to fame as a rapper with his debut album "Shaq Diesel," which became a hit with the chart-topping single "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)." He followed it up with another successful single, "(I Know I Got) Skillz," which reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, subsequent releases, including the 1997 track "You Can't Stop The Reign" featuring The Notorious B.I.G., were unable to replicate the same level of success. In 2001, O'Neal released "Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends Vol. 1" and shifted his focus towards his growing interest in EDM, stepping away from hip-hop.
Earlier this year, O'Neal, known as DIESEL, released his first EDM album titled "Gorilla Warfare" through Monstercat. In collaboration with producer Brian Bayati, O'Neal handpicked the songs and sought out talented young individuals to feature on the album. Reflecting on his DJ journey, O'Neal shared that he and Brian belong to the era of authentic DJs who used crates to store their records. O'Neal fondly recalled his early days when he would purchase records with the money earned from cutting grass, and how he invested in SP-1200s sampling workstations and a Gemini mixer to enhance his skills as a battle DJ.
O'Neal admitted that he had to prove himself while being in the celebrity DJ box. After his performance at Lollapalooza in 2019, O'Neal has been working hard to establish himself, having performed at various renowned music festivals such as Lost Lands, Tomorrowland, EDC LV, Electric Zoo, Forbidden Kingdom, and also securing a residency at Wynn in Vegas.
Furthermore, O'Neal expressed that his recent endeavor as DIESEL fulfilled a longing he had since retiring from professional basketball in 2011. He shared, "In the NBA, you experience parades and championships, but then it all fades away, and you miss it. When I attended Tomorrowland and witnessed Tiesto performing for a massive crowd of 100,000 people, that feeling returned. I thought to myself, 'I've been DJing since '88, why not give it a try?'"
