Legendary NBA player Shaquille O’Neal recently made a bold statement, insisting that he is the greatest athlete-rapper of all time. While acknowledging the talents of Damian Lillard and Antonio Brown in the music industry, Shaq firmly believes he paved the way for athlete-rappers, starting back in the 1990s.
Key Takeaway
Shaq asserts that he is the greatest athlete-rapper, mentioning Damian Lillard and Antonio Brown as notable talents in the music industry.
A quick trip down memory lane reminds us that Shaq released four rap albums during his illustrious NBA career, setting the stage with his debut album, “Shaq Diesel,” in 1993.
Retirement hasn’t slowed down Shaq’s passion for music either. In fact, the 51-year-old recently collaborated with L.A.-based group Coyote on a track, teasing that there’s more music to come from him.
When asked about the competition in the athlete-rapper arena, Shaq responded, “I hear other people claim to be better athlete-rappers than Shaq. Well, nothing personal, but I have to remind them who paved the way.”
In recent years, athletes such as Damian Lillard have garnered attention for their remarkable abilities as lyricists. Lillard, a talented basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers, has impressed fans not only with his skills on the court but also with his lyrical prowess.
Similarly, Antonio Brown, a former NFL wide receiver, has ventured into the music world and produced catchy tracks like “Put That Sh** On.” Additionally, former NBA star Iman Shumpert has demonstrated his musical talent.
While Shaq speaks highly of these athletes and their foray into rap, he maintains his unwavering belief that he is the ultimate athlete-rapper. “I release music, they release music, and we let the people decide who is number one,” Shaq stated confidently.
It remains to be seen how this friendly competition among athlete-rappers will unfold. Will they settle their musical prowess through a rap battle? Only time will tell.
