Earlier this week, lovable basketball big man Shaquille O'Neal announced his retirement after 19 seasons and four NBA championships. Although Shaq's career will undoubtedly be remembered for his dominating defense, powerful dunks and iffy free-throw shooting, Diesel has also been involved with a slew of entertaining music endeavors that showed his softer (and goofier) side.
Whether dancing with Justin Bieber, conducting an historic orchestra, dissing former teammate Kobe Bryant or rapping about being a magical genie, Shaq has given us nearly two decades' worth of unforgettable moments off the court. Check out 10 of our favorites, and tell us which ones you'll remember most.
"What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)"
Fu-Schnickens feat. Shaq
If you were a child of the '90s and a hip-hop-fan, chances are you owned a cassette single of the Fu-Schnickens' Top 40 jam and can shout several of its lines -- "Dunna dunna, Batman!" or "Brrp, stick'em, hahaha, stick'em" -- on cue. The most memorable rhymes, though, come courtesy of the group's featured guest, a then-rookie NBA star Shaquille O'Neal: "I'm the hooper, the hyper, protected by Viper/When I rock the hoop yo, you'd better decipher...That's OK, not being bragadocious/Supercalifragalistic, Shaq is alidocious!"
Shaq vs. Bieber
What does a 7-foot basketball star have in common with a teen pop phenom, aside from a heavy wallet? An appreciation for dancing, of course! For the ABC show "Shaq Vs.," Shaq dropped in on one of Justin Bieber's tour rehearsals in Phoenix last summer and challenged the singer to a dance-off. While Bieber busts out some nice moves, even he had to admit that Shaq's breakneck skills were "awesome." Here's to hoping that there's a rematch someday.
"Kobe, How My A$$ Taste?"
Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal were on anything but good terms back in 2008, so when Kobe's Lakers lost out to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, Shaq couldn't help but take a dig at his former teammate-turned-frenemy. "I call myself Big, but I'm not as good as Biggie," began Shaq's freestyle at a New York club, before he unleashed a verbal assault on Bryant that climaxed with this hilarious hook and ultimate insult.
"That's How I Beat Shaq"
Aaron Carter
It's hard to believe a skinny teen pop star could defeat Shaq in a game of one-on-one (especially when he was in his prime with the Lakers), but that's exactly what Aaron Carter does in the music video to his 2000 hit "That's How I Beat Shaq." As the singer taunts Shaq with lines like, "Three pointer! Nothing but net/Come on Shaq, had enough yet?", the All-Star center appears sluggish on defense and even breaks down crying when he loses. The good news for Shaq? It was all a dream, and Carter wakes up with no victories over the big man.
"2 Bad"
Michael Jackson feat. Shaq
The music video for this MJ "History" cut doesn't feature Shaq's verse, which is too bad because we would have loved to see him decked out in full Thriller-redux regalia. Instead, we'll just have to feast our ears on Shaq's closing bars: "Grab my crotch, twist my knees and I'm through/Mike's back, I'm bad, who are you?"
"We Genies"
Shaquille O'Neal feat. Francis Capra, "Kazaam"
Shaq crossed into the film world with "Kazaam," a 1996 kid's film about a rapping genie who befriends a lonely boy played by Francis Capra. While "Kazaam" somehow didn't win the Academy Award for Best Picture, it did feature one of the all-time best rap songs about genies: "We Genies" finds the NBA star waxing poetic about his magical powers while wearing an orange button-down. What more could one ask for?
Shaq Dances with Jabbawockeez
2009 NBA All-Star Game
When the 2009 NBA All-Star Game was held in Phoenix, Shaq (then a Phoenix Sun) delighted his hometown fan by being introduced alongside "America's Best Dance Crew" winners the Jabbawockeez. Wearing one of the group's signature white masks, the Big Shaqtus performed a minute-long choreographed dance in which he majestically ripped off his white pants and flung them into the crowd.
"(I Know I Got) Skillz"
Shaquille O'Neal
"You wanna fight? Come fight me!" Shaq warned on his debut single, which reached No. 35 on the Hot 100 and was one of the first signs that he was interested in being much more than just a basketball megastar -- he was shooting for showbiz domination, too. In all, Shaq released five solo albums, and though none sold nearly as well as his first, we wouldn't bet against him returning to rap now that he'll have more free time on his hands.
"You wanna fight? Come fight me!" Shaq warned on his debut single, which reached No. 35 on the Hot 100 and was one of the first signs that he was interested in being much more than just a basketball megastar -- he was shooting for showbiz domination, too. In all, Shaq released five solo albums, and though none sold nearly as well as his first, we wouldn't bet against him returning to rap now that he'll have more free time on his hands.
"Sleigh Ride"
Boston Pops Orchestra featuring Shaquille O'Neal
To mark his arrival to the Boston Celtics, Shaq took the stage with another Beantown institution -- the Boston Pops Orchestra -- and made his conducting debut at a concert last December. Wearing a bow tie and suit with tails, the Big Shamrock led the orchestra in renditions of "Sleigh Ride" and Queen's "We Are the Champions."
Shaq Lip-Synchs "Fire & Desire" and "At Your Best"
We don't know why you shared videos of yourself lip-synching to Rick James and Aaliyah with us, Shaq, but we thank you. Whether you're weeping fake tears to Aaliyah's "At Your Best," donning a wig for Rick James' "Fire & Desire," or you know, playing basketball, we'll never forget how you've entertained us.
Another Badd Creation Productions (Clay County Mobile DJ Service)
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