SHAQ Dishes on Miami Music Week’s Best Event – Shaq’s Fun House

Shaq’s Fun House has only ever happened twice before, and already it’s one of the most-talked about events of Miami Music Week as it prepares to make its third appearance. Last year, Shaq, aka DJ Diesel, called upon Diplo, Steve Aoki, A-Trak, Carnage, Nervo, Alan Walker, and Cheat Codes to bring the noise, and this year will feature an even bigger array of artists according to Shaq himself.

Your EDM caught up with Shaq ahead of the festivities, two weeks from tomorrow, March 29. We were desperate to know more about his background as a DJ and what made him think of Shaq’s Fun House in the first place. We also wanted to know, with all of the crazy things the Fun House already has, what didn’t make it in… the answer is amazing.

Check out our interview with Shaq below, and remember, a very limited number of All-Inclusive Open Bar Tickets are now on sale from $149 at www.ShaqsFunHouse.com.

Everyone knows you as Shaq, the basketball player. But you’ve mentioned in interviews before that you have been DJing since you were 14. What was your first introduction to electronic music and how did you start spinning?

I used to cut neighbors’ grass, walk dogs, and scrap together cash to buy records and my turntables at a pawn shop. I have been hooked on music ever since I was a young kid, but back then I was all about Rap. TomorrowWorld 2014 was a milestone event that changed my perspective on music forever. It was on a massive farm and I came over a huge hill then boom 100,000 happy people going crazy having the time of their lives. I saw Skrillex and Steve Aoki and I was like what is this music… I just loved the energy! I met my manager Joe at TomorrowWorld and I begged him for a slot the next year. That is how DJ Diesel was born and I have not looked back since.

What prompted you to start Shaq’s Fun House?

This is not a nightclub or some huge festival. My Fun House brings together the best DJ’s in the world with carnival elements, circus performers, an open bar, amazing food and much more. Honestly I was getting bored of the same clubs & festivals over and over at music week…I wanted to create my own event totally different that is just all about FUN. Last year I called up Diplo and said I need you Wes…Steve Aoki…Diesel needs your energy…Carnage…bring the heat!! It was crazy everyone just ended up playing back to back all night till sunrise. This year I partnered with JBL to make the Fun House even bigger. I promise you this will be the best lineup yet featuring 8 of the best DJ’s in the world. Get your tickets soon folks this thing is sure to sell out!

What’s been your favorite show you’ve played so far?

To me DJ’ing in front of a huge crowd brings is like a game 7. I’ve done many amazing shows but Lost Lands and Tomorrowland have to be my 2 favorites. I practice a lot before each set and really get competitive out there..my goal is always to ignite more head bangers than any other artist out there.

Now that you’re putting out original music, like your new track with NGHTMRE & Lil Jon, can we expect more in 2019?

NGHTMRE is my Larry Bird of EDM and Lil Jon is a longtime friend. BANG was a ton of Fun to work on and we got tons more in the works! I’ll have some remixes and solo originals out soon but there are a lot more DIESEL coming in 2019. There’s a ton of shows to still release too… I just announced a show with Dillon Francis at Red Rocks, I have a big Vegas announcement coming soon, and I am really looking forward to Tomorrowland & Ibiza this summer.

What were some of the original ideas for Shaq’s Fun House that didn’t make the cut?

So I own 2 white tigers. I have a guy in Vegas that looks after them for me and he treats them real well. I thought it may be cool to bring them to Miami, but my team advised against it for safety reasons. What do you guys think should I bring em? The car ride for them would be really long or can we put them on a plane?

What was it like to have your Fun House in Atlanta for the Super Bowl?

I am an ATL native and live here now so when Super Bowl 2019 was in Atlanta I called up my managers and told them Shaq’s Fun House.. Super Bowl.. Atlanta… let’s make it legendary and we did. I recruited my boys Diplo, Tiesto, Migos, Lil Jon, T-Pain and we threw one hell of a party. Beyond the music we had Cirque Du Soleil, Waffle House, STK Steakhouse, the JBL crate, and tons more amazing attractions.

How do you see the Fun House brand growing in 2 years? 5 years?

We’re going international baby! They’re way too many amazing sports and music combo opportunities overseas and you know the DIESEL is going to make it happen. I’ve been blessed to see the world, play for Team USA, destroy mainstages in other countries and the Fun House is going to be everywhere.

A very limited number of All-Inclusive Open Bar Tickets are now on sale from $149 at ShaqsFunHouse.com.