In a world with degrading lyrics about women, inflammatory music, and a general decline in lyrical genius, one man has filled the void. Who is it? It is Big Shaq, of course. Dropping his first song “Mans Not Hot,” Big Shaq, or Michael Dapaah, reinvigorated the great sense of music briefly renewed by Ice JJ Fish and Froggy Fresh.

“[Mans Not Hot] is an incredible piece of art,” junior Matthew Johannsen said. “It’s a sign that rap has evolved and it is the driving force of modern music.”

The song itself features many great lines, and brings up new ideas that have been largely ignored by American songwriters. Genius, the music based website, reports that his signature “Skraaa, skidi kat kat” is reflective of British rappers’ emphasis on violence, imitating gun fire.
“I have to say that his song is, simply put, lyrical genius,” Johannsen said.

Big Shaq’s lyrics are unique to himself, and few other rappers use it. As a ‘roast’, or attack, on American basketball player Shaquille O’Neal, Big Shaq masterfully uses his lyrics to reflect these attacks.

“His words, and lyrics, are so unique,” junior Niki Zarkani said. “I have never witnessed anything like it.”

While his lyrics have a large effect on people, they would serve no purpose without a proper flow. Just rambling like the Kanye Wests of the world would not do anything for Big Shaq. However, Big Shaq has this flow exact flow.

“His flow has never been witnessed in this world,” Johannsen said. “I don’t think anyone can match it.”

However, Big Shaq’s flow and lyrics aren’t the only things that set him apart from mediocre artists like Kanye West, Eminem, and Jay Z. The story behind his lyrics and his in person interviews distinguish him from other artists.

“I definitely think that his interviews made me respect him,” Johannsen said.

Despite Big Shaq’s revolutionary art and music, many on the internet mock him. His music has, unfortunately, been turned into a ‘meme’ on some social media platforms, reducing his music and revolutionary feat to a lowly joke.

“Some people are just haters,” Zarkani said.

Despite its detrimental nature, treating Big Shaq as a joke has been a great boost to his career and has given him over 47 million views on youtube. Yet the fame is not something that should be granted for a reduced and watered down importance and significance. However, to true fans and followers of Big Shaq, the joke will not and cannot tarnish his reputation.

“Big Shaq is up there in the greats,” Johannsen said. “Few can compare to him. He ranks next to Froggy Fresh and Ice JJ Fish.”

Big Shaq, who has assimilated himself into the world of fame and celebrities, is big on prestige. The music video for Mans Not Hot includes extraordinarily famous (albeit mediocre) artists such as Lil Yachty and DJ Khaled. Additionally, recently introduced to Paul Pogba, a star in the world of soccer, Big Shaq began infiltrating the world of sports.

His original song, Man’s Not Hot, was targeted towards Shaquile O’Neil, who then criticized Big Shaq claiming that there is only “one Big Shaq”.
However, this has led to a much more direct feud between the two, after O’Neil released a diss track of Big Shaq. Big Shaq then released a second track, once more dissing O’Neil.

In recent weeks, Big Shaq has turned his persona into a much more socially conscious one, with more ‘vlogging’ and updates on the rapper’s condition.

While many treat his music and person as a joke, Big Shaq commands great respect as both an artist and pioneer of the music industry. Anyone who appreciates good music should join his following and religiously abide to his ideas. It is finally nice to see his hit song being recognized as it hit number six on Spotify’s rap charts.