Shaquille O'Neal discusses relationship with The Notorious B.I.G.

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In the late 1990s, Shaquille O'Neal was literally the biggest player in the NBA. He was so big that he had ventured outside of basketball and into the hip hop world. Shaq had made friends with several big time rappers, including The Notorious B.I.G.

When Biggie rapped about Shaq, the former Orlando Magic center contacted Biggie. Soon, the two had become good friends and had recorded together. Bad Boy Records was the authority in the hip hop game and they endorsed Shaquille O'Neal.

Shaq recorded several albums in the 1990s and the Bad Boy team worked with his music. Shaq had become good friends with Biggie and was deeply hurt when he died. The night Biggie died, Shaq had the chance to party with him.

But, gearing up for his first playoff run with the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaquille O'Neal ended up turning down the chance to party with Biggie. Early in the morning of March 9, 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. turned up dead and Shaq feels things would have been different had he been there with him. Because of his status as the king of L.A., Shaq would have had top notch security and no one would have been close enough to take a shot.