There’s always some sort of beef in the rap game. Whether it be over ghostwriters or baby mommas, there’s always something. Most of the time, it’s just two rappers getting salty and talking shit like two frat boys at a bar who’ve had too much to drink. But the newest beef is taking both the rap game and the NBA by storm. It’s old school versus new school. Legend versus all-star. It’s Shaq, a.k.a. “The Big Diesel” vs Dame “D.O.L.L.A.” Lillard.
It all started late in September when Dame was a guest on the Joe Budden Podcast to promote his recent album. During the interview, Joe and crew began to stir the pot, as they do. Asking the NBA player/rapper to compare his rap career to Shaq’s platinum run in the 90s. Most of the time someone in Dame’s position might concede a bit; playing it safe and giving the answer your PR manager might give. Instead, he holds his ground stating:
“I think I rap better than Shaq. I’ve heard Shaq’s stuff. I think he was viewed as Shaq, though. People was like, this Shaq. It wasn’t like, Shaq and Biggie. People weren’t looking like this a real rapper. It was like, ‘That’s Shaq rapping.’ So, of course, it was a big deal.”
Now, was what he said completely disrespectful? No, not completely. Is there a possibility of some validity to those claims? Yeah, there is. But no matter how you look at it, there’s no denying Shaq is an artist who has gone platinum with multiple NBA championships, and he didn’t take too kindly to what Dame D.O.L.L.A. had to say. Thus begins the real Shaq vs Damian Lillard beef. Posting a diss track to his Instagram aimed at the young star.
Shaq – Freestyle (Damian Lillard Diss)
It sounds a little rough and Shaq may be a little rusty, but “The Big Aristotle” definitely still got some bite to him. I like that he added the clip from the Joe Budden interview at the beginning of this classic beat. While the overall sound leaves a little to be desired. Shaq still gives us some great quotable bars from the track like these two hitters:
“MVP candidates you are not one
Platinum plaques on my wall go and get you some
Lyrically I’m 3 times finals MVP”
“Legendary I’m a hip-hop scholar
I’m trying to get a billion
give a fuck about a D.O.L.L.A.”
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE
Not to be outdone and let his words fizzle into oblivion. Dame D.O.L.L.A gets on the mic and claps back almost instantly. It’s clear Dame’s production and sound quality is way above Shaq’s. But it’s all about what’s being said and how true or not true that is. Unfortunately for Shaq, Dame did well there too. There’s no denying Shaq is one of the most iconic and influential people of the last 50 years. But the tricky thing about time is that it moves quickly and if you don’t stay active in what you are doing, you will get left behind. This seems to be one of those cases.
Dame D.O.L.L.A. – Reign Reign Go Away
Dame seems to have achieved exactly what he may have wanted from this. Remember, he went on the podcast to promote his new album. What better way to do that than to start a rap beef with one of the biggest legends, literally and figuratively, in not only your sport but pop culture and media in general. I don’t expect Shaq to respond or for this to really go much further than some professional animosity. But in the mashup that is competitive professional sports and rap you never really know what might happen next. One thing I know though, this Shaq vs Damian Lillard beef is one of my personal favorites from recent memory. And I for one would love to see if Shaq could clap back with some better production.
Dame Claps Back… AGAIN!
Just when you thought the beef may have tenderized a bit and everything’s blown over, Damian “D.O.L.L.A.” Lillard reignites the fire. Annoyed over the fact that Analyst, like Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharp, keep bringing up Shaq’s NBA career and accolades. Dame is reminding us that this isn’t about basketball it’s about rap.
“You not a rapper you comedy, commentary, and actor. Feed him with a slingshot you better call the pastor. David and Goliath your stature a non-factor”
Dame D.O.L.L.A. – “I Rest My Case”
