Get up to speed with Newark Rapper, Shaquille O’Neal

Rapper Shaquille O’Neal turned 50 last year. The Newark legend, who stands 7’1 and wears a size 22 shoe, used to play basketball in the NBA. Retired from the hardwood court for 12 years now, he’s not only built a $400 million fortune with endorsements, gyms, car washes and restaurants, he can also be seen on TV’s “Inside The NBA” as well as performing in concert on stages around the world as DJ Diesel. He’s also found time to raise six kids (whom he keeps grounded by telling them, according to AARP magazine, “we ain’t rich. I’m rich.”

O’Neal not only has big feet, he has a big mouth. And he doesn’t mind using it. He’s funny, articulate, opinionated and his four ‘90s studio rap albums had him working with major-league hiphop producers for that Shaq-Attack rap style. He still has one unreleased album—"Superfriends Volume #1”—that Dr. Dre worked on. Always a better rapper than he was a free-throw shooter, he’s also been in a handful of Hollywood movies.

Arguably, his greatest song is “You Can’t Stop The Reign” featuring The Notorious B.I.G. [1972-1997]. Don’t laugh. The dude can rap!!

Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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