Redman Explains His Role In Shaq’s Former Rap Career [Video]

Redman has worked with many acts like Eric Sermon, Christina Aguilera and Kool Moe Dee, but in this VladTV exclusive, the rapper speaks on his records with the late Tupac Shakur and how he got in the booth with Shaquille O’Neal. Tupac’s “Got My Mind Made Up,” from the All Eyez On Me album was originally a Das EFX record, but the rapper’s return from jail changed the lineup. Instead, the track was sent to Pac attached with verses from Redman, Method Man, Daz Dillinger and Kurupt. Because of the changes in the track, Redman says he never got to work with the rapper directly, but there was no hard feelings. Since Red and the other east coast acts represented themselves well on the record, there wasn’t an internal ‘east coast v. west coast’ battle on the song. During his worldwide touring days with Eric Sermon, the rapper speaks on living from couch to couch at the age of 20. He explains how different the grind was from the 90’s to now, and says many acts from the time dealt with homelessness before making it big. Redman also gives props to fellow New Jersey native Shaquille O’Neal for his ability to sell rap records and play basketball. The rapper says Shaq went the underground route when it came to his music career. Taking the now NBA analyst under his wing, Shaq was able to achieve gold and platinum status. Check out why he thinks Roy Jones’ rap career didn’t take off like Shaq’s in the interview above.