Shaq Fu: Da Return

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Shaq Fu: Da Return is the second studio album by American basketball player Shaquille O’Neal. It was released on November 8, 1994, by Jive Records. The album was produced by Erick Sermon, LoRider, The LG Experience, Chyskillz, Redman, and Warren G, and features guests including Erick Sermon, General Sha, Ill Al Skratch, Keith Murray, Method Man, Mr. Ruffneck, Redman, and RZA. It peaked at number 67 on the Billboard 200 and number 19 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified gold by the RIAA on January 11, 1995 for selling 500,000 copies in the US.

Two singles were released: “Biological Didn’t Bother” (October 17, 1994) and “No Hook” (February 6, 1995). “Biological Didn’t Bother” deals with O’Neal’s estrangement from his biological father (they reconciled in 2016) and reached position 78 on the Billboard Hot 100, 54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and 18 on the Hot Rap Songs. “No Hook” reached the Bubbling Under Hot 100 at number 3, 66 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and 16 on the Hot Rap Songs.

The cover uses the kanji 風, meaning wind, which is pronounced fu in Japanese; it isn’t related to kung fu. Critical reception was mixed: NME said the album lacks continuity, Entertainment Weekly criticized the beats and O’Neal’s monotone delivery, while Christgau praised the singles for Shaq’s skill and rhyme. AllMusic later called it a solid, if not outstanding, rap album that moves beyond mere novelty.