Shaquille O’Neal has acquired unfathomable recognition as a result of his on-court greatness. Since hanging up his jersey in 2011, Diesel has become a global superstar. He is a household name across the world.

O’Neal’s off-court endeavors enabled him to venture beyond the confines of the court and drove him to this level of stardom. He’s dabbled in films and TV series. He’s even had his own different businesses and investments. However, embracing the rap industry is inarguably his second most famous venture.

Shaq never wanted to be just an NBA player; he desired to be an entertainer. That is what catapulted him to the pinnacle of fame. This popularity of his has enabled him to make friends with a myriad of renowned celebrities. Interestingly, Shaquille O’Neal is also buddies with Kanye West, the legendary music producer.

They are so close that the big man once performed a freestyle rap for Kanye on his birthday.

Shaquille O’Neal spat a freestyle verse for Kanye West on his birthday

Kanye’s ex-girlfriend Kim Kardashian rented out the whole Staples Center to celebrate his birthday in 2015. Several rappers, NBA players, and other famous individuals were present at the Lakers‘ home arena to play an East vs. West game.

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This, however, was no average pickup basketball game. Even John Legend was present, who performed the national anthem before the game tipped off.

Shaq was also invited, but he was unable to make it to the venue in Downtown LA. He would have surely loved to be at the venue where he dominated the league for the bulk of his career.

To compensate though, the Lakers legend sent him a video message. But this was no average video message. Shaq spat a freestyle verse for Kanye and also lip-synced to his popular single “Runaway” as he filmed while driving his car.

Intro:

Kanye, this Shaq, what’s up, bro?
Happy birthday, sorry I couldn’t be there
How old are you? It don’t matter
You look good, baby, do what you do
You at the Staples Center, you lucky as they…you know what I was gon’ do to you at the Staples Center…you remember?

Verse:

Staples Center, that was me, 2001 to 2003
MVP, I did it by myself
Can’t you tell by my accumulated wealth?
Kanye, me and you the same people
We underrated, they treat us like we evil
It don’t matter, happy birthday to you
Continue, cous’, just do what you do

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He then went on to lip-synch to Kanye West’s “Runaway” for a few good seconds.

This indicates that Shaq cherishes the friendships he forms. The freestyle rap sounded really nice as well. Who knows, maybe Kanye West might produce one of Shaq’s tracks in the future if the 7′ footer eventually returns to the rap game.