Shaquille O’Neal has done more than just make a huge dent in NBA history. The four-time NBA champion achieved success wherever he stepped foot. During the height of his popularity, Shaq took a break from breaking defenses and showed his skills on the mic. He became a rap sensation with his very first album, ‘Shaq Diesel’. After two albums, the Big Diesel would bring in an entourage of legends. A cast of Jay. Z, Notorious B.I.G, and Lord Tariq all were featured on ‘You Can’t Stop The Reign’. However, there’s a gem hidden from that era in Shaq’s custody, a verse from the late great Biggie Smalls, that Shaq Diesel refuses to publish.

Shaq got the opportunity to perform a song alongside the biggest names in rap at the time. However, the album itself was an edited version of what was supposed to be. During a recent podcast appearance, the NBA Hall of Famer revealed the reason behind not releasing an original version of his song with rap legend, Biggie Smalls.

Shaquille O’Neal won’t release Biggie’s verse for one big reason

Biggie Smalls was in this world for a very short time of 24 years. But the impact he left continues to this day. Along with Tupac, Biggie was considered one of the greatest rappers to ever live.

In 1996, Shaquille O’Neal would nervously wait when Biggie agreed to hop on his album. Their song would be the headline of the album: ‘You Can’t Stop The Reign’. However, it wasn’t the original version of the song.

In reality, the ‘Big Poppa’ artist performed a verse before what went on the record. The Big Aristotle was moved by the lyrical genius of the gem, but unfortunately, it wasn’t fit for the kids. Despite being one of the biggest names in Hip-Hop, Biggie understood Shaq as a role model for the next generation and did another verse, one which was more appropriate for all years.

Now, decades after the release of the album, Shaquille O’Neal has kept the record in his stash. During his appearance on the ‘I AM ATHLETE’ podcast, former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall demanded the Los Angeles Lakers legend to put out the original version. But the 51-year-old refused. Shaq would state the reasons for keeping it for only his ears as respect.

He explained to his NFL host, “I can’t do that because he showed me enough respect to know that I was just coming in and the kids look up to me and I am a ‘role model’ and all that. I didn’t really have to ask him. Like I hit the thing I was like ‘Big..’. He’s like ‘Oh right, my bad, my bad, the kids’. He knew that. I don’t need you to follow just know he killed. Like okay, I don’t know his mother.” 

Not knowing the family, Shaquille O’Neal respectfully declined the notion of meeting them to put out the unreleased version of the song. However, that isn’t the only hidden gem from the album.

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Shaq couldn’t release an All-Star version of the song ‘No Love Lost’

When Shaquille O’Neal went on Drinks Champ, rapper N.O.R.E asked him about his song with Jay Z, Lord Tariq, and Nas. In the album version of ‘No Love Lost’, only Jay Z and Tariq have a verse. But that wasn’t the initial plan. The 2000 MVP revealed the All-Star lineup of himself, Nas, Jay Z and Tariq all being on the track.

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Unfortunately due to restrictions by the publications, the world never got to listen to it. Do you want to hear the original versions of the songs on Shaq’s ‘You Can’t Stop The Reign’ album? Let us know your views in the comments below.