Shaquille O’Neal compares DJing to a basketball game
Shaquille O’Neal has admitted the thrill of playing to huge concert crowds as his alter-ego DJ Diesel is right up there with a high-stakes basketball game.
Bang Showbiz
Widely considered one of the NBA’s greatest players, Shaquille O’Neal famously has his hands in many other pots: business, TV and movies, product endorsement and video games among them.
Now, local electronic dance music (EDM) fans can see the four-time roundball champ go from center court to center stage as the biggest (literally) DJ in dubstep.
O’Neal — or rather, his dynamic onstage persona Diesel — will lead a lineup of established artists and up-and-comers on the EDM scene at Haunted Fest, which will be held outdoors from 6-11 p.m. Friday at KEMBA Live!, 405 Neil Ave.
The high-energy, all-ages event also will feature NIGHTMR, a mainstay in the EDM world; energetic beat-dropper Eliminate; and emerging EDM talent Celo. A silent disco will add to the festivities.
A staple of the Halloween scene, Haunted Fest is an immersive experience with dazzling visual effects, elaborate costumes and a high-energy atmosphere. Festgoers are encouraged to attend wearing their spookiest, most creative outfits.
Party animals: Columbus ranked one of the best party cities in the nation
General-admission tickets for Haunted Fest start at $54.99 and VIP ticket packages start at $89.99, offering exclusive perks and access to premium areas. Tickets are on sale at hauntedfest.com.
Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available. Mikey’s Late Night Slice is available for purchase inside. KEMBA Live! is a cashless venue. All major credit cards, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.
Shaq shoots, scores as DJ
O’Neal’s passion for music dates back to his early teens, when he became fixated on DJing after seeing Public Enemy live. The teen cut grass and walked dogs to earn $200 to buy his first set of turntables at a pawn shop.
He DJed while attending Louisiana State University in the ’80s and started composing rap music in 1993, when he released his debut album, “Shaq Diesel,” which went platinum.
Highlighting new music: Carpe Diem String Quartet to premiere works during 2024-25 season
O’Neal was a guest rapper on “2 Bad” from Michael Jackson’s 1995 album, “HIStory,” and contributed three songs to the “Kazaam” soundtrack.
Among other musical accomplishments, O’Neal conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at the Boston Symphony Hall in 2010.
He discovered EDM in 2014, when he crashed the TomorrowWorld festival. A turning point in O’Neal’s musical life, the festival turned the ex-basketballer on to DJs like Skrillex and Steve Aoki. He has performed as DJ Diesel since 2015, appearing at shows and festivals like Lollapalooza and Lost Lands.
Fright night: These 9 haunted attractions will scare the yell out of you
O’Neal told Rolling Stone magazine that DJing in front of thousands of people gives him the rush of his playing days.
In addition to playing at events like Haunted Fest, O’Neal produces festivals of his own, such as SHAQ’s Bass All-Stars Festival, which will take places next month in Fort Worth, Texas.
