Dwyane Wade Mentioned in Shaq’s Diss Rap of LaVar Ball
Chicago Bulls guard Dwyane Wade frolics about in China right now, perhaps unaware of the significance of his role in the newest rap phenomenon sweeping through the United States.
Since releasing his debut, platinum-certified album Shaq Diesel in 1993, the rapper version of Shaquille O’ Neal has graced fans with his vocal cords as a guest rapper on Michael Jackson’s song “2 Bad,” released three songs on the “Kazaam” movie soundtrack, and also starred in Aaron Carter’s 2001 single “That’s How I Beat Shaq.”
Then, Shaq dabbled in the art of the diss track after winning an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006 and freestyling an impromptu roast of former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant. The world of music has been a better place since.
However, none of these masterpieces compare to the lyrical brilliance and the audio aesthetic of his latest work: a three-minute rap roast of outspoken NBA parent LaVar Ball.
It’s Shaq being Shaq and the entertainment value is high on this video. But, why is this relevant to the Bulls and why is Wade mentioned in the lede of this story? If you listened closely enough, you’ll hear Wade’s name hidden in the lyrics.
D-Wade ain’t tell me Pat Riley was gonna trade me
That ain’t faze me, nothin’ faze me
Jerry Maguire with this flow — pay me
The line refers to Shaq’s prickly exit from Miami in 2008 when President Pat Riley chose to trade him to the Phoenix Suns prior to the deadline. Apparently, he is still bitter about the incident and wants “Jerry Maguire with the flow” and Wade to know about it. However, the reference to Wade may be more of a tongue-in-cheek jab than an actual insult because the two are friends now.
Here’s Wade’s response on Twitter once he saw the video.
The video has just over 730,000 views on YouTube as of July 30 at midnight.
