Rick Ross describes customizing MMG necklace for 'big homie' Shaquille O'Neal whom he calls a real 'artist'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rick Ross has revealed the behind-the-scenes details of the custom chain he gifted to his "big homie" Shaquille O'Neal.
In October, social media erupted with excitement as the Maybach Music Group founder presented the NBA legend with a chain adorned with the Maybach Music Group label.
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Ross now oke about the work that went into customizing the chain for O'Neal, standing at an impressive seven feet one inch.
Rick Ross 'glad' Shaquille O'Neal 'enjoyed' his gift
Speaking to People, Ross recalled how he began to think of getting the ideal gift for the former NBA player.
"For one, you got to make sure you get those flawless emeralds, then that piece got to go with... This is somebody who's seven feet tall, so his piece will look a lot smaller on him than if I wore it," said the 47-year-old.
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"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?" Ross further added that "the Cuban link was a lot thicker" as he wanted a bigger pendant.
"But man, it was well worth it," he said, adding "And it felt good. You know what I'm saying? And I'm glad the homie enjoyed it. He kept texting me for the next few days," Ross excitedly spoke of how O'Neal received his gift."
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Inside Rick Ross and Shaquille O'Neal's connection over the years
The relationship between the rapper and the NBA star extends beyond the bling.
Sharing discussions on various topics including franchising to their respective power moves, the connection between the two moguls was found expression in the world of music.
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For the November album ''Too Good to Be True', Ross and Meek Mill collaborated with O'Neal and NBA star Damian Lillar for the remix of single 'Shaq & Kobe.'
This collaboration marks a significant moment that took place three decades after the MMG founder first bought O'Neal's debut LP 'Shaq Diesel' in 1993.
Ross' first thought of O'Neal was this is "really an artist." "And the more familiar I got with him, you saw him collaborating with New York MCs and it just went on and on," he continued.
"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," Ross added.