Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1

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Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1
Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 cover
Studio album by Shaquille O'Neal
Released September 11, 2001 (US)
Recorded 19992001
Genre 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
Professional reviews
Shaquille O'Neal chronology
Respect
(1998)
Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1
(2001)
Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 2
(TBD)

Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 was supposed to be the fifth solo album released by NBA Superstar Shaquille O'Neal. 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 9th of the same year. After much delay, the album was abandoned completely and never released.

Contents

[edit] Background

O'Neal had released four albums before Superfriends: 1993's double platinum-certified Shaq Diesel, 1994's platinum-certified Shaq-Fu: Da Return, 1996's 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.[1]

The album was to contain no profanity or vulgarity.[citation needed]

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 the vocal stylings of Nicole Scherzinger (formerly from Eden's Crush and now of The Pussycat Dolls).

[edit] 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, Korn, 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, Mos Def, Nicole Scherzinger, Common, Black Thought of The Roots, 311, Black Rob, Twista, George Clinton, Talib Kweli, Memphis Bleek, Snoop Dogg, and Angie Stone.

[edit] Singles

Because the project was abandoned, the only available music from album was released in singles by Fireworks Distribution. 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 records 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.

[edit] Reception

"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." [2]

— J.T. Griffith, All Music Guide

[edit] Track listing[citation needed]

# Title Producer(s) Featured guest(s)
1 "That's Me" Dr. Dre Dr. Dre
2 "Connected" Big Tank Nate Dogg, WC of Westside Connection
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" ?uestlove 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" KoRn, 311
14 "All In A Day" Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Angie Stone
15 "No Words" 112
16 "Shaq's Tribute

(It Takes Two)"

Nicole Scherzinger

[edit] References

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