Shaquille O'Neal

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• Genre: Hitmakers

About

While NBA superstars trying their luck at the rap game is not too unusual (see: Allen Iverson, Dana Barros, Chris Webber, etc.), none have been as successful or as committed to the cause as Shaq. The league's most dominant center has released a staggering total of six (!) albums since 1993, including a greatest hits collection and a cameo-packed compilation. Lyrically, he's no Rakim or Aceyalone, but Shaq's mic skills have steadilly improved over the years, and he's arguably the most competent athlete-rapper on the scene. Even if his records don't move major numbers, Shaq really doesn't care. He makes enough paper from his real job to live large forever; he makes music just for fun. Another bonus of being a world-famous baller is that he can get just about any artist he wants to produce or bust rhymes alongside him. Shaq's 2002 Superfriends compilation features a who's-who of hip-hop V.I.P.s, including Snoop and Nate Dogg, Mos Def, Common, Ludacris, and George Clinton.