Shaq Fu: Da Return | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 8, 1994 | |||
Recorded | 1994 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 43:04 | |||
Label | Jive | |||
Producer |
| |||
Shaquille O'Neal chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Shaq Fu: Da Return | ||||
|
Shaq Fu: Da Return is the second studio album by American basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal. It was released on November 8, 1994, via Jive Records. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, LoRider, The LG Experience, Chyskillz, Redman and Warren G. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, General Sha, Ill Al Skratch, Keith Murray, Method Man, Mr. Ruffneck, Redman and RZA.
The album peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200 and number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 11, 1995 for selling 500,000 copies in the US alone.
The album was supported with two singles "Biological Didn't Bother" and "No Hook" with accompanying music videos. Its lead single, "Biological Didn't Bother" (which discusses O'Neal's estrangement from his biological father, with whom he would not reconcile until 2016), reached number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 18 on the Hot Rap Songs. The second single off of the album, "No Hook", made it to number 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, number 66 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and number 16 on the Hot Rap Songs.
The kanji 風—meaning 'wind'—is used on the cover, which can be pronounced as 'fu' in Japanese. It has no relation to the fu (夫) in kung fu (功夫), whose name the album's title references.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s | ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | C [3] |
NME | 7/10 [4] |
NME reviewer found the album "doesn't have as sense of continuity". [4] David Thigpen of Entertainment Weekly wrote that "Shaquille O’Neal settles for soggy, tired old beats and raps in a monotone so relentlessly laid-back that he sometimes seems to vanish into himself". [3] In his Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s book, Robert Christgau highlighted both of the album's singles, stating "he's got skillz, connectionz, a wicked laugh--and he can rhyme some". [2]
In a retrospective review for AllMusic, JT Griffith called the album "a solid (but not outstanding) rap CD that takes another step forward in that no-man's land between legitimacy and novelty act". [1]
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "No Hook" (featuring RZA and Method Man) | RZA | 3:17 |
2. | "Newark to C.I." (featuring Keith Murray) | Redman | 3:57 |
3. | "Biological Didn't Bother" (G-Funk Version) |
| 5:07 |
4. | "My Dear" | Warren G | 3:42 |
5. | "Shaq's Got It Made" |
| 3:57 |
6. | "Mic Check 1-2" (featuring Ill Al Skratch) |
| 3:47 |
7. | "My Style, My Stelo" (featuring Erick Sermon and Redman) | Erick Sermon | 3:41 |
8. | "(So U Wanna Be) Hardcore" | Chyskillz | 3:27 |
9. | "Nobody" | Erick Sermon | 3:48 |
10. | "Freaky Flow" (featuring Mr. Ruffneck and General Sha) | Chyskillz | 3:43 |
11. | "Biological Didn't Bother" (Original Flow) |
| 4:38 |
Total length: | 43:04 |
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
12. | "Shaq-Fu: Stand & Deliver" | ||
13. | "Biological Didn't Bother" (Dr. Ceuss Remix) |
Chart (1994) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200 [5] | 67 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [6] | 19 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [7] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Reginald Noble, better known by his stage name Redman, is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label.
Fu-Schnickens were an American hip-hop trio from 1988 to 1995, based in Brooklyn, New York.
Muddy Waters is the third studio album by American rapper Redman. It was released on December 10, 1996, through Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image and Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in New York City. Production was handled by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Rockwilder, Jerry Duplessis, Pras, Ty Fyffe, and Redman himself. It features guest appearances from Erick Sermon, Jamal, Keith Murray, K-Solo, Method Man, Napalm and Rockwilder. The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. It was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 12, 1997 for exceeding shipments of 500,000 copies. The album spawned three charted singles: "It's Like That", "Whateva Man" and "Pick It Up" and a promotional single "Smoke Buddah".
Lyricist Lounge 2 is the fourth hip hop compilation album by American record label Rawkus Records. It was released on November 28, 2000, as the second installment of Lyricist Lounge album series, based on New York's Lyricist Lounge showcases.
El Niño is the only studio album by American hip hop group Def Squad, composed of rappers Redman, Erick Sermon and Keith Murray. It was released on June 30, 1998, via Def Jam Recordings. Recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Dix Hills, New York. Production was handled by Erick Sermon and Redman. It features guest appearances from Biz Markie, Mally G, Too $hort and the Drama Squad.
"Blow Your Mind" is a hip hop song by American rapper Redman. It was released in August 1992 via Rush Associated Labels/Chaos/Columbia Records as the lead single from his debut studio album Whut? Thee Album. Recording sessions took place at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in Northport. Production was handled by Erick Sermon with Redman himself serving as a co-producer. The song contains samples from "The Show", written by Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D, and includes excerpts from The Gap Band's "Outstanding", written by Raymond Calhoun, Zapp's "Dance Floor" and Parliament's "Theme from the Black Hole".
"Tonight's da Night" is the third single released by Redman from his debut album, Whut? Thee Album. It features a jazzy beat produced by Erick Sermon and Redman himself, and contains samples from many songs, including "All Night Long" by Mary Jane Girls, "The Payback" by James Brown, "Tonight's the Night" by Raydio, and "A Few More Kisses to Go" by Isaac Hayes. The song starts off with Redman rapping about being "smooth to any groove", and he is then interrupted by Hurricane G who wants him to rap some "rough shit". Redman goes on to talk about guns and other illegal things. A remix can be found on Redman's second album, Dare Iz a Darkside.
"Can't Wait" is the second single released from Redman's second album, Dare Iz a Darkside. It is produced by Erick Sermon and Redman, and contains samples from "All Night Long" by Mary Jane Girls, "Caribbean Nights" by Bob James and "Just Rhymin' With Biz" by Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie.
Method Man & Redman are an American hip hop duo, composed of East Coast rappers Method Man and Redman. They are signed to Def Jam Recordings both as solo artists and as a duo. While they had been collaborating since 1994, it was not until 1999 that they released a full-length collaborative effort, Blackout!. The follow-up album, Blackout! 2, was released in 2009.
Nervous Breakdown is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group Fu-Schnickens. It was released October 25, 1994, via Jive Records. Production was handled by Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick, Diamond D, K-Cut, Jim Nice and Lyvio G. The album peaked at number eighty-one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Born Gangstaz is the only studio album by American gangsta rapper Bo$$. It was released on May 25, 1993, through Def Jam Recordings' West Coast-based sub-label DJ West. Recording sessions took place at Beat Street Studios, Mad Hatter Studios, M'Bila Studios and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles, at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in Commack, at Chung King Studios in New York City, and at Ian London Studios in East Islip, New York. Production was handled by Def Jef, AMG, Erick Sermon, T-Ray, Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay, Mic Professah, Stone Tha Lunatic, and Tracey Waples, who also served as executive producer together with Russell Simmons, and co-producers MC Serch, Courtney Branch and Tracy Kendrick. It features guest appearances from Def Jef, Onyx, AMG, Erick Sermon, dancehall performers Admiral D and Papa Juggy, as well as Bo$$'s parents, Lillie and Joe Laws.
Shaq Diesel is the debut album by American professional basketball player and rapper Shaquille O'Neal, released on October 26, 1993, through Jive Records. The album features production from Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Def Jef, Erick Sermon, K-Cut and Meech Wells, and guest appearances from Def Jef, Phife Dawg and Fu-Schnickens.
Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 is an unreleased album by Shaquille O'Neal. Completed in 2001, it was intended to be the NBA star's fifth solo album. Producers for the album included Denaun Porter, Big Tank, L. T. Hutton, Rick Rock, and Dr. Dre. The original release date was slated for September 11, 2001, but was pushed back to October 9 of the same year. After much delay, the album was completely abandoned and never released.
The Best of Shaquille O'Neal is the first compilation and third overall album by NBA player/rapper, Shaquille O'Neal. The album was released on November 12, 1996, just days before his third studio album, You Can't Stop the Reign, and was his last for Jive Records. Due to its release date, the album only featured songs from his first two albums, Shaq Diesel and Shaq-Fu: Da Return, as well as the Fu-Schnickens song, "What Up Doc? " from their album Nervous Breakdown.
The discography of former professional basketball player, rapper, and DJ Shaquille O'Neal consists of four studio albums, two compilation albums, two soundtracks, one unreleased album, and 19 singles. O'Neal played in the NBA from 1992 until 2011. Around 1993, O'Neal was signed to Jive Records where he released his debut album, Shaq Diesel, in that year. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, number 10 on R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Shaq Diesel produced four singles. The first, "What's Up Doc? ", peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 56 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 22 on Rap Songs, and was certified gold by the RIAA. The second, "(I Know I Got) Skillz", peaked at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 20 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 3 on Rap Songs, and was certified gold by the RIAA. It also peaked at number 34 on the New Zealand Singles Chart. The third, "I'm Outstanding", peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 29 on R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and number 6 on Rap Songs. Internationally, it peaked at number 43 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and number 70 on the UK Singles Chart. The fourth, "Shoot Pass Slam", did not chart.
"(I Know I Got) Skillz" is the debut single released from American NBA star and rapper Shaquille O'Neal's debut album, Shaq Diesel (1993). The song, which saw its official release on September 7, 1993 by Jive Records, was produced by Def Jef and Meech Wells and featured a guest verse from Def Jef as well. It samples "It's My Thing" by EPMD and "Large Professor" by Main Source. "(I Know I Got) Skill" was a success, peaking at 35 and 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, becoming Shaq's only solo top-40 hit in the US, although he managed to avoid one hit wonder status as he previously scored a hit as a featured guest on the Fu-Schnickens hit "What's Up Doc? ". The single was certified gold by the RIAA on December 21, 1993, for shipping of 500,000 copies. The accompanying music video was directed by Scott Kalvert. The song was also featured on Shaq's compilation album, The Best of Shaquille O'Neal and appeared in the film Pineapple Express. Shaq performed the track at Lollapallooza 2019 in Grant Park, Chicago.
"Biological Didn't Bother" is the first single released from Shaquille O'Neal's second album, Shaq Fu: Da Return. It was released on October 17, 1994 with production from the LG Experience and Warren G. The single was a minor success, making it to number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song is dedicated to Shaq's stepfather, Phillip A. Harrison and samples "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)" by Pete Rock & CL Smooth.
"No Hook" is a hardcore hip hop song written and performed by American rappers Shaquille O'Neal, RZA and Method Man. It was released on February 6, 1995 via Jive Records as the second single off of Shaq's second studio album Shaq Fu: Da Return. Production was handled by RZA.
"The Way It's Goin' Down" is a hip hop song performed by American rappers Shaquille O'Neal and Peter Gunz. It was released on July 27, 1998 via T.W.IsM. Records as the lead single from O'Neal's fourth studio album Respect. Recording sessions took place at Larrabee Sound Studios and Skip Saylor Recording in Hollywood. Written by O'Neal, Gunz and DJ Quik, it was produced by the latter.
Vernia is the eighth solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Erick Sermon. It was released on April 19, 2019 via Def Squad Records. Together with Sermon, production was handled by eight record producers, including DJ Battlecat, Rockwilder and Ty Fyffe. The album features guest appearances from AZ, Big K.R.I.T., David Banner, Da YoungFellaz, Devin the Dude, Kaelyn Kastle, Keith Murray, Nature, No Malice, N.O.R.E., Raekwon, Ricco Barrino, RJ Payne, Styles P, Shaquille O'Neal, Too $hort, TryBishop, Xzibit, and Yummy.