Shaquille O’Neal has been tapped by Pepsi to promote their new ‘Pepsi Minis’ in an ad spot that features a reworking of Skee-Lo’s 1995 classic, “I Wish.”
Released on Monday (November 20), the commercial plays on Shaq’s height as it impedes him in various humorous scenarios. Though Skee-Lo doesn’t appear in the ad until the end, he spits an updated version of the song that describes Shaq wanting to be smaller, like Pepsi’s new cans.
“I wish I was a little bit smaller/ A mini Shaq baller/ I wouldn’t have to yell when I talk to a toddler/ I wish I had more legroom on a plane or a train, life is tough when you taller,” Skee Lo raps.
He also acknowledges that being tall helps when you’re a basketball legend like Shaq, but not when you’re trying to be a gymnast.
Shaquille O’Neal has been on a bit of a tear as of late with his return to rap. In addition to his own music, he hopped on the remix to Rick Ross and Meek Mill‘s “Shaq & Kobe,” and during the song’s promo run, Rozay revealed he’d actually almost signed to Shaq’s label back in the day.
“Many years ago I met with Shaq,” the Biggest Bawse told Complex. “He was launching his T.W.IsM. Records. We met in Atlanta somewhere. We met in a restaurant. Then we went in the back, in the kitchen. I spit a few bars for him. He gave me his contact, [and] we stayed in touch for a little bit. But, you know how that go.”
However, Ross not signing to Shaq’s label didn’t jeopardize their relationship, as Shaq appeared alongside Damian Lillard for the “Shaq & Kobe” remix, which dropped last month.
Lillard, a.k.a. Dame D.O.L.L.A., doesn’t hold back in his delivery on the track, proving once again that just because he’s an active NBA player, that doesn’t mean he can’t serve up a quick 16 bars like a floater in the paint.
“I felt a switch flick, noticed the power of being a misfit/ Kick, push, skated fiascos into a kickflip/ Success made my softy stiffen to a big dick/ Story of my life, bitches choosing, this shit a chick flick,” he raps over the high-energy instrumental.
As for Shaq Diesel, he flexes his own lyrical prowess that dates back to the 1990s and has made him one of the most acclaimed hoopers-turned-rappers.
“Get it custom at the dealer so I fit the wheel/ I can hear the money talkin’ like if it was Phil/ Focus on communities I wish to build/ When it’s for the unity, that’s when I drill/ They love me out in Philly like I roll with Meek/ They treat me like I’m Ricky when I’m on the beach (Huh!),” he spits with authority.
In addition to teaming up on wax, Rick Ross and Meek Mill made a surprise appearance on Inside the NBA on Thursday night, joining Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny “The Jet” Smith and Charles Barkley.