Miami Heat basketball
star Shaquille O’Neal is financing a new record label, which recently landed
a distribution deal with KOCH Records.
KOCH will handle
the marketing and distribution for the label, DEJA34 Records. Mark Stevens,
a long-time friend of Shaq is the CEO, while mixtape king DJ Kayslay has been
named head A&R of the venture.
“It’s
easy to finance a company that you believe in,” O’Neal said.
Stevens also expressed
enthusiasm in working with KOCH, noting the company’s dominant position
as an independent record label.
The first release
will be a new full-length by DJ Kayslay, slated for release in April 2005.
Several months
ago, O’Neal returned to rap, aiming mixtape insults at former L.A. Laker
Kobe Bryant and Virigina rapper Skillz.
The label news
comes as O’Neal reaches another milestone in his professional basketball
career, his 22,000 point, becoming the 20th player in NBA history to achieve
the mark.
