With the NBA season hitting top gear, our man Shaq doesn’t have a lot of time for his regular “extracurricular activities,” but he did make an exception this past weekend (as of this posting date) for one of his other top-favorite side hustles – being a DJ for electronic dance music at a big festival.
That’s exactly what happened in Colorado this past weekend, with Shaq and others playing at one of Colorado’s most iconic venues, Red Rocks Amphitheater. Playing as his alter ego DJ Diesel, of course, Shaq was joined on stage for a time with a few members of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, including Shilo Sanders, Kahlil Benson, and Justin Mayers. Good thing it was a bye week for the team!
It was great timing for the team. The concert marked Shaq’s debut as a headliner in Denver, bringing energy and excitement to Red Rocks less than 24 hours after the Buffaloes achieved bowl eligibility by defeating Cincinnati at Folsom Field. Colorado players were able to celebrate their season milestone, and the anticipation of postseason play with a night out that included one of basketball’s biggest stars.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
We’ve covered many of DJ Diesel’s appearances and shows over the years. Shaq’s alter ego is hugely popular as a concert DJ, with ear-pleasing performances known for high energy and engaging vibes. Sharing the stage with him offered the Buffaloes players a chance to let loose, enjoying the blend of music, lights, and Shaq’s unmistakable larger-than-life personality.
As for the Buffaloes, they’re now sitting at 23rd on the AP College Football rankings … that may change after this week’s updates, but as we said, the Buffaloes had this past weekend off, and are looking forward to their next big game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock.
The strong season, under the leadership of head coach Deion Sanders continues. Colorado is looking to maintain momentum and continue their success. The game against Texas Tech represents a critical moment as they aim to solidify their standing and build on their bowl eligibility.
The experience at Red Rocks not only gave these players a memorable evening but also underscored how the Buffaloes, under Coach Prime’s leadership, are embracing a balanced approach to college football—pushing hard on the field while finding moments to celebrate and recharge off of it.
Interesting side note: One of the last places DJ Diesel played, just a few weeks ago, was in front of a mostly Texas Tech crowd in the school’s hometown of Lubbock, Texas. DJ Diesel was one of the headliners for a pregame show for the Red Raiders.
As for that game, the Red Raiders went on to beat Arizona State University. Maybe Shaq will be a good luck charm for the Buffaloes, too. We’ll find out next weekend.
Shaq’s visit to the west-Texas college town also had a business benefit for him. Lubbock is home to one of the busiest outlets of his very own Big Chicken restaurant. Being close to campus, with all those hungry college kids, that particular Big Chicken is the best-performing outlet in the entire Big Chicken chain.