Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1
Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 is the only unreleased album by Shaquille O'Neal. Completed in 2001, it was intended to be the NBA superstar's fifth solo album.[1][2] Producers for the album included Denaun Porter, Big Tank, L. T. Hutton, Rick Rock, and Dr. Dre. The original release date was slated for September 11, 2001, but was pushed back to October 9 of the same year. After much delay, the album was completely abandoned and never released.
| Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | Was scheduled to be released in 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 1999–2001 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop, West Coast hip-hop | |||
| Label | Trauma Records T.W.Is.M. Records Fireworks Distribution | |||
| Producer | Shaquille O'Neal (Executive) Dr. Dre Big Tank Soopafly Darrell Diaz L. T. Hutton Daz Dillinger Chris Goodman Denaun Porter Rick Rock Amir Questlove Che Pope | |||
| Shaquille O'Neal chronology | ||||
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Background
O'Neal had released four albums before Superfriends: 1993's platinum-certified Shaq Diesel; 1994's platinum-certified Shaq-Fu: Da Return; 1996's gold-certified Can't Stop the Reign; and 1998's Respect. O'Neal also released a "Best Of" album that debuted in 1996.
O'Neal originally began the "Superfriends" project telling The Source Magazine that the album was going to be "revolutionary" and that he wanted to "bring together all genres." In 2000, he told the New York Times that he was working on negotiations with Pink, Limp Bizkit, Dr. Dre, and George Clinton. Although Shaq did not land all of the performers he had in mind, he still managed to gather a notable cast of "Superfriends."
When I decided to record this album I wanted to make it a collaboration of various styles of rap and voices of thought. I wanted to include talented artists both mainstream and underground. I wanted to celebrate the essence and energy of rap that is created by people from different walks of life. I like the mainstream MCs with their jiggy style and the underground MCs who speak conscious rap.
In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal performed a rendition of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's platinum 1988 hit "It Takes Two" at the Los Angeles Lakers back-to-back championship victory parade in front of the Los Angeles Staples Center. It was later stated in an interview that O'Neal had already begun production for the track after the Lakers first championship win in 2000. The song was scheduled to a part of his "Superfriends" compilation and featured vocalist Nicole Scherzinger (formerly from Eden's Crush and now of The Pussycat Dolls).
Contributors
As the title suggests, the album was to host many of Shaq's musical associates. Scheduled to appear on the album were Nate Dogg, R.L. of Next, Peter Gunz, Fieldy of Korn,[3] Thor-El, Dr. Dre, Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, Lord Tariq, 112, Jayo Felony, WC of Westside Connection, Trina, Ludacris, Joi of Lucy Pearl, Black Star, Nicole Scherzinger, Common, Black Thought of The Roots, Nick Hexum and Chad Sexton of 311,[3] Black Rob, Twista, George Clinton, Memphis Bleek, Snoop Dogg, and Angie Stone.
Singles
Because the project was abandoned, the only available music from album was released in singles by Fireworks Productions. Most of the singles that were released were only given to "Shaq Team" members, a group of the American public that volunteered to promote and distribute the material. Singles were released on both 12" vinyl and compact discs.
The first single off the "Superfriends" album, "Connected," was a West coast success. The song received large radio play from California hip-hop stations such as Power 106, KDAY, and 100.3 The Beat. The following singles "Do It Faster" and "In the Sun" were not as well received.
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [4] |
"Music may be Shaq's hobby, but he doesn't mess around. Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 likely won't appeal to any new fans. But those who have been along for the ride will be rewarded with this album." [5]
- — J.T. Griffith, Allmusic
Track listing[5]
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Featured guest(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "That's Me" | Dr. Dre | Dr. Dre |
| 2 | "Connected" | Big Tank | Nate Dogg, WC |
| 3 | "Bounce" | Jayo Felony, Peter Gunz | |
| 4 | "Make It Hot" | Peter Gunz, Big Tank | |
| 5 | "Strawberry Letter" | Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men | |
| 6 | "I Don't Care" | R.L. of Next | |
| 7 | "Do It Faster" | Twista, Trina | |
| 8 | "Atomic Dog" | George Clinton, Snoop Dogg | |
| 9 | "In the Sun" | Questlove | Common, Black Thought of The Roots, Joi of Lucy Pearl |
| 10 | "Y'all Don't
Really Want It" |
Black Rob, Thor-El | |
| 11 | "The One" | Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men | |
| 12 | "Big Hat Club | Ludacris | |
| 13 | "Psycho"[3] | Fieldy, Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton[3] | |
| 14 | "All in a Day" | Black Star, Common, Angie Stone | |
| 15 | "No Words" | 112 | |
Cut Tracks
- “You'd Be Lyin'” (featuring Peter Gunz)
- “I Don't Give a Fuck” (featuring The Lady of Rage)
- “4 Commandments” (featuring Sixx John)
- “It Takes Two (featuring Nicole Scherzinger)
References
- "Shaquille O'Neal Printable Stats". NBA.com. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- Kelly, Seth (February 25, 2003). "Two NBA championships, five rap albums and the starring role in a movie about a genie-is it any wonder Shaq can afford all this crap?". Stuff Magazine. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- vanHorn, Teri (June 19, 2001). "Shaq Goes 'Psycho' With Members Of Korn, 311". CMT. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- Allmusic review
- Griffith, JT. "Review of Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-06-18.