Shaquille O’Neal, the basketball legend and former rap artist, has announced the release of a long-awaited track that features hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and Nas. The original version of “No Love Lost,” which also includes Lord Tariq, will finally be available to the public on Friday, June 28. This track is part of the streaming release of Shaq’s 1996 album, “You Can’t Stop the Reign.”
Shaq took to Instagram to share the exciting news, writing, “You Can’t Stop the Reign coming to DSPs Friday. Unreleased Jay-Z + Nas track included.” This announcement has generated significant buzz, as the song was initially intended to be the first collaboration between Jay-Z and Nas, two of the most influential figures in hip-hop.
In a 2022 interview with Drink Champs, Shaq explained why Nas was absent from the original release of “No Love Lost.” “People didn’t clear it,” Shaq said. “Look, I didn’t take it personal ‘cause … me being in the studio with Nas, I’m happy. I get to call my boy and be like, ‘Hey, come over, Nas cover.’ I get to call my boy and say, ‘Jay in here.’ I get to call my boys and say, ‘Yo Biggie at the house. We ‘bout to jump on the Sea-Doos.’ That’s what it’s all about.”
The track’s release is a significant moment for hip-hop fans, as it represents a piece of music history that has been locked away for decades. Shaq’s enthusiasm for the project is palpable, and his joy in collaborating with his musical heroes is evident. “Me being in the studio with Nas, I’m happy. I can call my boys and say that Nas or Jay-Z is here. Biggie’s at the house. That’s what it’s all about,” he shared.
Shaq’s foray into the music industry has been marked by several notable collaborations, although not all of them have seen the light of day. Another high-profile track that was shelved involved Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. On The Big Podcast, Shaq revealed that Ice Cube, who was executive producing one of his records, blocked the release of a song called “That’s Gangsta,” produced by Dr. Dre. “Cube heard it and was like, ‘Nope. We’re not releasing this.’ Dre did the beat. I thought it was nice … And then I played it for Cube … He was like, ‘Shaq, you’re a f###### Laker, bro. I don’t want you talking about nothing gangsta. We not doing none of that s###.’ And it never came out.”
Despite these setbacks, Shaq’s passion for music and his respect for the artists he worked with have remained unwavering. He even has an unreleased verse by The Notorious B.I.G. from a session for “You Can’t Stop The Reign” that he will never make public. “My thing is this is Big, so I have to impress him,” Shaq said. “If Big says ‘no, this is terrible,’ I’m done and I won’t get another shot.” He recounted how Biggie delivered an incredible verse that was ultimately unusable because it wasn’t appropriate for kids. “And the first take, I’m the only one that got it, and I’ll never play it. He went off, and I damn near had a tear in my eye, cause I had to press that button and I was like, ‘Big, this is for the kids.’ Big was like ‘My bad, Diesel.’ And then he did the verse that you heard. I got it, but I’m not going to play it.”
The release of “No Love Lost” is a testament to Shaq’s enduring influence in both the sports and music worlds. His ability to bring together some of the biggest names in hip-hop speaks to his unique position in the industry. The track’s inclusion in the streaming release of “You Can’t Stop the Reign” offers fans a rare glimpse into a collaboration that could have been a game-changer in the 1990s.
Reflecting on his musical journey, Shaq has often spoken about the financial realities of the music industry. “Not to disrespect you guys, it wasn’t enough money in that for me,” he said. “I went platinum, right? And they showed me the check, and I was like, ‘This some bullsh*t.’ Then I learned a valuable word: recoup. I had to go up there like, ‘How y’all gonna charge me for studio and I got my own studio? This ain’t right.’ So I got a good few $100,000 back… I really focused on just going in there and having a good time with my favorite artists.”
As the release date approaches, anticipation is building among fans eager to hear the long-lost collaboration between Jay-Z and Nas. Shaq’s announcement has reignited interest in his musical career and reminded the world of his unique contributions to hip-hop. The release of “No Love Lost” is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane but a celebration of the enduring legacy of some of the greatest artists in the genre.
Source: Drink Champs, The Big Podcast, Instagram
