Ice Cube tells Shaquille O’Neal why he refused to release his Dr Dre collab
Several years ago, the legendary NWA rapper Ice Cube refused to release Shaquille O’Neal’s song ‘That’s Gangsta’. The rapper didn’t seem to have an issue with the former basketball star making moves in the hip-hop world but felt the Dr. Dre collaboration was a step too far.
Earlier this week, O’Neal invited Ice Cube to his show, The Big Podcast, during which he quizzed the NWA star on his controversial action to block the release. Titled ‘That’s Gangsta’, the song’s lyrics irked Cube, and during the podcast episode, he explained that as a star of the Los Angeles Lakers, he was much “more than just gangsta”.
Introducing the topic, O’Neal said, “Cube was executive producing one of my records,” Shaq said. “And he put me in the studio with Dr. Dre. I did a song called ‘That’s Gangsta.’ Cube heard it and was like, ‘Nope. We’re not releasing this.’”
Ice Cube is supportive of O’Neal’s career as a long-lived fan but seemed to take issue with his association with the gangster world. “Dre did the beat. I thought it was nice,” O’Neal continued. “Then I played it for Cube … He was like, ‘Shaq, you’re a fucking Laker, bro. I don’t want you talking about nothing gangsta. We not doing none of that shit.’ And it never came out.”
O’Neal didn’t seem to have any ill feelings regarding the blocked song but sought an explanation for the listeners all the same. “Shaq is a dope MC, but I just felt the record was off-brand for him because, to me, he’s more than just gangsta,” Ice Cube explained. “He’s loved by millions, loved by kids. He already established that. And why go backward when you’re already forward? You’re already a household name.”
After Ice Cube’s explanation, O’Neal revealed his gratitude. He soon realised tht, as a rapper, one should remain true to their personality and social situation. “That taught me, Cube, stay true to who you are,” he said. “‘Cause I ain’t gonna lie. You guys wanna be basketball players, I wanted to be y’all growing up.”
Elsewhere in the conversation, Ice Cube and O’Neal discussed the ongoing NBA Finals, the Big3 league and more. Over the coming years, we can expect more music from both, maybe even in collaboration.