And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is a famous basketball player. I want to really learn the business.

Can I go one day without somebody saying something negative about me?

I've been an athlete that's sort of in advance; always thinking. After basketball I'd love to have my own radio show, my own TV show.

There's two kinds of dirty - dirty and sewer-dirty. Danny Ferry is sewer-dirty and has been ever since he was at Duke.

I am aware that most people only see me as Shaq... the guy on the court. But there is another side to who I am, Shaquille O'Neal. And Shaquille O'Neal wants to explore every part of life. He wants the opportunity to pursue all of his desires. That includes being a part of the music industry as an MC. Music is and will always be a part of who I am.

This is a tough game. There are times when you've got to play hurt, when you've got to block out the pain.

The only person who can really motivate you is you.