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LOS ANGELES, CA (FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE) – Continuing to transcend expectations, today, music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE releases new single “Raw I Know I Got It” featuring NBA legend, rapper and DJ Shaquille O’Neal, aka DIESEL, alongside Los Angeles-based DJ & producer NITTI. The track is out now via 88rising and RCA Records—listen HERE.
“Raw I Know I Got It” is a minute and a half-long victory lap from the Hall of Fame basketball player, who intros the track with audio of him being picked number one overall at the 1992 NBA Draft. Backed by a beat as big as the former Lakers center, SHAQ drops bar after bar about smashing backboards, his “quadruple platinum” NBA record and obtaining global respect. Long revered in the industry, Shaquille O’Neal has dominated hip hop with certified hits like “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock)” and “Bodies Freestyle,” as well as electronic music under the alias DIESEL with tracks like “Bang Your Head,” “Gorilla Warfare” and “Heat.” In “Raw I Know I Got It,” SHAQ puts his musical chops on display for 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, name-dropping his All-Star crew, from Inside the NBA co-panelist Kenny Smith to the late legend Kobe Bryant.
The new track follows the releases of 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE’s latest singles “fIT chECK fREEsTYle” with pop experimentalist Jean Dawson, “WhAT yoU WaNT” with genre-bending artist Deb Never and “PUMP IT UP ε=┌(^_^)┘,” featuring Indonesian rap powerhouse, singer and producer Rich Brian and breakout rapper TiaCorine.
Earlier this year, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE released their debut compilation project, hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚:, which features genre-spanning collaborations from the likes of Rich Brian, Warren Hue, Ghostface Killah, Busta Rhymes, Smino, Cuco, Amaarae, Offset, BADBADNOTGOOD, Westside Gunn, Dumbfoundead and more. The album boasts A-list features across 24 songs, pulling back the curtain on 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE’S anachronistic lore while capturing the sights, sounds and vibrancy of Northern California culture and beyond, through the lens of 88rising honcho Sean Miyashiro’s childhood nostalgia and wonder. Listen to the full project HERE.
Stay tuned for more from 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE.
About 88rising
88rising is a pioneering global music and media company representing the best of Asian talent and culture. Since its inception, 88rising has paved the way for many music industry firsts for its artists. Under the leadership of founder & CEO, Sean Miyashiro, the company has also grown its brand to include a global festival, Head In The Clouds Music & Artist Festival, and special partnerships with the likes of Coachella, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and many more. With over 200 million followers across global social media platforms and over 50 billion streams and views, 88rising’s global influence is undeniable.
About SHAQ
Revered cultural icon Shaquille O’Neal is referred to in the celebrity tradition of a one-word moniker: Shaq. Over his fruitful NBA career spanning nearly two decades, Shaq was named to the NBA’s list of 50 greatest players of all time and inducted into NBA Hall of Fame. The four-time NBA Champion, 15-time NBA All Star, and three-time NBA Finals MVP has been named one of the most influential athletes by Forbes as well as the highest-ranked NBA athlete on Nielsen’s “State of the Media: Year in Sports” and Business Week’s “Power Sports 100.” Shaq electrifies every room with his larger-than-life personality, consistently receiving standing ovations for his motivational keynote speeches.
Off the court, Shaq has established himself as a powerful media personality and businessman. Ranked among “The 100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company magazine, Shaq currently manages a diverse business portfolio and serves as an analyst on TNT’s Emmy-award winning show, Inside the NBA. In addition to being an early investor in companies such as Google, Shaq has managed an internationally beloved personal brand, which has included television shows, a shoe line and social media/tech products.
About DIESEL
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the most dominant basketball players in NBA history and is now also one of the greatest entertainers on earth. At 7’1″ and 325 pounds, Shaq’s larger-than-life personality and powerful athleticism have resulted in worldwide admiration and one of the most passionate fan bases in sports and entertainment.
Shaquille has been passionate about music from a very young age – at just 14 after O’Neal saw Public Enemy live for the first time, while sandwiched in a crowd of 5,000 people, he became fixated on DJ’ing. He cut his neighbors’ grass, walked dogs and scraped together any cash that he could until he saved up $200 to buy his first set of turntables at a local pawn shop. Fast forward to 1993, Shaquille’s rap album, ‘Shaq Diesel,’ did the unthinkable of selling over a million copies and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 100 cementing O’Neal as the only athlete ever with a platinum-selling album. Since becoming DJ DIESEL, SHAQ has released several major bass records with acts such as Steve Aoki, Riot Ten, NGHTMRE, Riot Ten, Eliminate, 4B and many more.
From there, DJ Diesel’s career was born as he cemented the title of “the biggest DJ in the world.” DJ Diesel has graced main stages around the globe from Lost Lands to Tomorrowland, EDC LV, Lost Lands, Lollapalooza, Electric Zoo, Forbidden Kingdom, Beyond Wonderland and even launched his own festival series – Shaq’s Bass All Stars – all while balancing a Las Vegas residency at the WYNN (XS Nightclub and Encore Beach Club).