European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 18, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Robinson tried his hand at singing and dancing. For Mer heavyweight Champion Joe Frazier dabbled in nightclub singing. The 1985 Chicago bears hit big with their rap song the super bowl shuffle and san Antonio spurs basketball Star David Robinson loves to play the  Neal unveiled his rap talents on the arsenic Hall show. Later with the 1993 release of the rap album Shny diesel it became Clear that his rapping was no passing fancy. A the sight of someone his size rhyming rapid fire lyrics arid posturing a la Snoop Doggy dog or heavy d is definitely unique. His Fame As a hoops Ter definitely did t Hurt his plunge into hip hop. Shaw diesel was certified Platinum when it sold More than a. Million copies. For a debut album to do so Well is quite an accomplishment Armato said especially for an artist who s a part time musician. Before Shaw diesel o Neal performed with his partners the rap group fun Schnickels on the single what s up Doc can we oct audit snot uncommon for him to perform a rap concert while on his worldwide promotional Tours. O Neal was asked during his Frankfurt visit if there was anyone he d like to sing a duet  he replied Lisa Marie  but seriously he s working with rapper Warren g of regulate Fame to finish two remaining songs on his next album. The and Man trading cards sportswear gym bags and shoes. The merchandise Industry marketed around superstars can be More lucrative for an athlete off the court than a million Dollar contract to perform on it. Shaw is loaded with endorsements. The biggest Deal is his five year contract with Reebok that reportedly will pay him Between $12 million and $15 million. Soft drinks basketballs sport drinks hotel chains and More have also signed aboard the o Neal bandwagon. Reebok has contracts with other basketball stars including Boston s Dominique Wilkins and Seattle s Shawn Kemp but according to Gareth Morris sports marketing manager for Reebok International in London o Neal is the Man. Especially overseas. He is one of Many athletes we have in the Aba but he is one who is creating the most excitement out Side the Usa at this time Morris said. He is bigger than just basketball because of his multifaceted personality and the fact that he appeals to youngsters particularly beyond the sport of  Morris won t talk numbers about How much Shaw Means to their shoe sales. But Reebok is enjoying its financial relationship with o Nealand would like to keep it for the rest of his career  said. For the second straight year o Neal is in Europe trumpeting Reebok s latest line of shoes and sport Paramount Shaquille o Neal Jammin in his portrayal of Neon Bodcau in the College basketball movie Blue chips. Is Michael Abrams Shaw s shot for fans in Frankfurt suburb of Hochst. Clothing. He s also the frontman for Reebok s world wide three on three basketball tournament the main reason for his recent three country swing through the United kingdom Germany and Greece. The european Market for . Sports merchandise is growing by leaps and Bounds. Shaw has been picked to carry the Aba s marketing Torch across the Ocean just like Bird magic Johnson and Jordan before him said George Weston the owner of sports shop in Heidelberg Germany. When people say Shaquille o Neal their eyes Light up Weston said. I recently had two Young girls come into the store looking for Shaw Basket Ball cards. As far As his rap goes they Are always looking for his tapes All the time he has made a big impression Ion the Germany Economy in basketball and in the music  however Weston emphasized everything bearing Jordan s name is still no. 1 in Europe. O Neal has the potential in time to match Jordan s Appeal. Eventually hell come on Par with Jordan once he becomes a More consistent player said Weston Jordan is the biggest As far As cards go. Shaw is running a close second. Golden state s Chris web Ber the magic s Anfernee Hardaway All the Aba rookies Are very  depending on the Brand and year the cheapest Shaw card can be $2.50, Weston said. The most expensive bearing an autograph can be $300. By com Parison the Jordan Rookie card can sell for $3,500. Big shot Reebok made a to commercial featuring o Neal shattering a rim before the discerning eyes of the Aba s All time big men Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul Jabbar Bill Russell and Bill Walton it was just a shoe commercial. But those marquee names represented Shaw s sudden arrival As the most marketed player this Side of Jordan. That s a huge leap from a 13-year-old in wild flock in who later described himself to leu coach Dale Brown As "6-foot-8, can t hoop can t  p Neal s critics say his multifaceted Success is too much too fast for a two year pro hoops Ter. They also say he can t maintain his focus on the court while bearing the Load of his of court distractions. Despite All the hype he said he can handle the pressure. This Confidence he said comes from his parents Philip and Lucille Harrison. His Mother s Maiden name was Lucille o Neal. Philip Harrison is Shaw s Stepfather related Parade item on Page 27. My role Model was my father an army ser Geant o Neal said. I used to talk to him about girls the Birds and the bees Why not to take drugs. I wanted to be like or. J Julius Ervin but he told me you can t be like or. J. There s Only one or. J. Try and be the first Shaquille o Neal " when pressure to be Shaw becomes too much he has at least one safety valve. My Crew knocks Smeback Down to Earth he said. Anybody who doubts where his head is at should consider How Shaw spent his summer his agent said. This summer Shaw really rededicated his commitment to some very Basic things Armato said. Like education. He went Back to school at leu to work on finishing up his degree. Like basketball and his commitment to the worldwide growth of the game. He played on dream team ii and was named the most valuable player during the world Basket Ball championships last month in Canada. Aj1 of his ventures aside Shaw said if he had to chose he d spend his time on a basketball court. As a basketball player it has opened other doors for me especially in the record business. Basketball comes first. Everything else comes  september 18, 1934 sunday Page 5