Shaquille O’Neal, a former NBA star and four-time rap album artist, believes he is the greatest athlete-rapper of all time. While athletes like Damian Lillard and Antonio Brown have made waves in the rap game, Shaq believes he paved the way for athlete-rappers since the 1990s.
Shaq released his first rap album, “Shaq Diesel,” in 1993 during his Hall of Fame NBA career. He continued to make music even after retiring from basketball. In fact, the 51-year-old recently collaborated with L.A.-based group Coyote on a track. According to Shaq, he has several freestyles ready to go, always looking to compete with other athlete-rappers who claim to be better than him.
Although Shaq acknowledges the talents of athletes like Lillard and Brown on the mic, he still considers himself the GOAT. He believes that the people should decide who the number one is by evaluating the music each athlete puts out. However, Shaq confidently states that he knows he’s the best, but recognizes that there are many other talented athlete-rappers emerging in the industry.
Damian Lillard, known for his exceptional lyrics, is often considered one of the best rapper athletes by fans. Another notable athlete in the rap game is Antonio Brown, who has released catchy tracks like “Put That Sh** On.” Additionally, former NBA star Iman Shumpert has made an impact with his music career.
While Shaq claims the title of the greatest athlete-rapper, he gives credit to those who have made significant contributions to the genre. Despite his self-proclaimed number one status, he acknowledges the rising talent of other athletes and respects their skills on the microphone.
To truly settle the debate, one suggestion that arises is a rap battle between the athlete-rappers. It would be an entertaining way to determine who truly deserves the title of the GOAT in the realm of athlete-rap.