That's How I Beat Shaq

"That's How I Beat Shaq"
Single by Aaron Carter
from the album Aaron's Party (Come Get It)
Released	January 6, 2001 [1]
Genre	Pop rap
Length	3:25
Label	Jive
Songwriters	Brian Kierulf; Joshua M. Schwartz; Thomas Slovinski
Aaron Carter singles chronology
"Bounce" (2000) "That's How I Beat Shaq" (2001) "Oh Aaron" (2001)
Music video
"That's How I Beat Shaq" on YouTube

"That's How I Beat Shaq" is a single from Aaron Carter's second album, Aaron's Party (Come Get It) . Released in 2001, the single was released with the permission of Shaquille O'Neal. ^[2]

Background

According to Shaquille O'Neal, he first became acquainted with the Carter family in the early 1990s, when Backstreet Boys recorded an early demo at his home studio. "One of my worst mistakes ever was not signing the Backstreet Boys", he reflected, noting that they "recorded their first album in my house" and that he charged them "$5 an hour" for studio time. O'Neal added that he "knew the Carters very well", as Aaron would frequently visit. During one of those visits, the two played a game of H-O-R-S-E, which Carter won. "We had a H-O-R-S-E game one day and he beat me! And then, he came back and said, 'I want to do a song'. And I said sure," O'Neal stated, also agreeing to appear in the accompanying music video. ^[3]

Music video

The video begins with Aaron riding a scooter with a dog playing Frisbee, followed by various scenes of Aaron playing basketball. It then shifts to him telling the story of how he met Shaquille O'Neal, who challenges him to a one-on-one basketball game. In the second verse, Aaron plans to distract Shaq in order to score points. Aaron finally emerges victorious, but it turns out that everything was a dream when Aaron hears his mother's voice. He is shocked, however, when he sees the jersey of Shaquille O'Neal. Throughout the video, Aaron is seen rapping in the basketball court and in the hoop.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[4]

In 2002, Billboard included the song in the list of best "10 Slammin' Songs for the All-Star Game". ^[5]

In popular culture

The March 7, 2013, episode of Upload with Shaquille O'Neal features O'Neal challenging Carter to a rematch, which O'Neal dominates. ^[6]

Track listing

Single – Aaron Carter – "That's How I Beat Shaq" (2001, CD) ^[7]

1. "That's How I Beat Shaq" – 3:24
2. "One for the Summer" – 3:44

Charts

Weekly chart performance for "That's How I Beat Shaq"

Chart (2001)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100 [8]	96
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales [9]	12

References

1. "Billboard". 27 January 2001.
2. Zhu, Danielle (October 8, 2015). "How Aaron Carter convinced Shaq to appear in 'That's How I Beat Shaq'". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on October 8, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
3. Ray, Alyssa (22 June 2020). "Shaquille O'Neal Reveals Origin Story for Aaron Carter's Hit Song, "That's How I Beat Shaq"". E! News . Yahoo. Archived from the original on 17 February 2026. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
4. "That's How I Beat Shaq - Aaron Carter | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic . RhythmOne. Archived from the original on February 5, 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
5. Lipshutz, Jason (26 February 2012). "NBA Jams: 10 Slammin' Songs For The All-Star Game". Billboard . Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2026.
6. Jacobs, Matthew (March 8, 2013). "Shaquille O'Neal, Aaron Carter Rematch: Basketball Star Gets Revenge On 'Teenage Heartthrob'". The Huffington Post . Retrieved October 28, 2013.
7. "Aaron Carter – That's How I Beat Shaq (2001, CD)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
8. "Aaron Carter Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard . Retrieved September 20, 2014.
9. (28 April 2001) Hot Singles Sales - Billboard Magazine Vol. 113,Nº 17 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p.86. Retrieved February 4, 2016.