In an incident that garnered widespread attention back in October, Rick Ross, the 47-year-old founder of Maybach Music Group made headlines by presenting a custom chain featuring his label’s name to none other than Shaquille O’Neal, who happens to stand at an imposing height of 7’1″.
Now, months later, the rapper is explaining the intricate process of creating a necklace suitable for someone of O’Neal’s towering stature.
In an exclusive interview with People, Ross told the magazine that he invited Shaq to collaborate on his and Meek Mill’s latest album, “Too Good to Be True.
The two have lots in common. Shaq is not only experienced in rapping, moonlighting as Shaq Diesel in the 1990s, but they have both ventured into restaurant franchising and positioning themselves each as the biggest boss.
However, for Shaq, he truly embodies the role of a big boss. A photo opportunity between Rick Ross and Shaq occurred on Oct. 26 at the Turner Network Television Studios, where Shaq records NBA on TNT sports broadcasts. Both men are smiling as Shaq towers over Rick Ross, holding the chain that is wrapped around his big, slightly more than 10-inch hand.
“And the more familiar I got with him, you saw him collaborating with New York MCs and it just went on and on,” Ross said.
The Maybach Music Necklace
“So I respect his gift. So him getting on our joint, him respecting my talent, me putting that Maybach Music piece around his neck, man, that meant a lot. You know what I’m saying? That meant a lot to Rozay.”
There is no official word regarding how big the chain is or its exact material, but he mentioned it had emeralds on the custom MMG piece and it required him to triple his budget for “Too Good to Be True.”
“For one, you got to make sure you get those flawless emeralds, then that piece got to go with… This is somebody who’s 7 feet tall, so his piece will look a lot smaller on him than if I wore it,” Ross said.
“So I told them, let’s triple up on it. It ain’t no budget. This for the big homie, Shaq Diesel, Shaq Fu. You know what I mean?”
As for the album itself, it only amassed an estimated 30,000 to 35,000 units in its first week, falling short of certain fans’ expectations.
As Finurah previously reported, Rick Ross, whose reported net worth is $45 million, and Shaq, with a net worth reported to be at $400 million, are both in the fried chicken industry.
Ross currently owns around 30 Wingstop locations as a franchisee through his company, Boss Wings Enterprises LLC, which he co-owns with his mother, Tommie Roberts, and sister, Tawanda Roberts. He became a franchisee in 2013, and since has acquired multiple Wingstop locations. Ross’ love for the brand and its food has been evident throughout his career, as he frequently mentions Wingstop in his music.
Shaq’s Big Chicken specializes in Southern-style fried chicken and comfort food dishes inspired by Shaq’s mother’s cooking. As of now, there are 19 Big Chicken locations across Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee and Washington.
