Athletes find success in music industry

Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal has taken the ball to the hole and slam-dunked on countless courts. Football star Bob Whitfield's fierce determination has allowed him to block opponents, knocking them off their feet in disbelief. And, to say that baseball star Frank Thomas knows how to drive a ball home would be an understatement.

More recently, these top athletes, among others, have not only accomplished lofty feats in their respected sports arenas, but they've all also scored big in the music industry with their individual endeavors.

Four years ago O'Neal's desire to enter the recording industry led him to become a member of the rap group Fu-Schnickens, where he was known as Shaq-Fu. He appeared on the group's gold single What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock). But joining the group wasn't enough for the Los Angeles Lakers star center-actor.

Just last year, O'Neal formed his own record label, T.W.isM. (The World Is Mine) Records. The Los Angeles-based label is distributed by Trauma Records, a unit of Interscope Records. O'Neal's current rap album You Can't Stop The Reign was the first release for the new company. Artists on his label include S.H.E., 1 Accord and Peter Gunz Gunz Gunz.

Three years ago, Whitfield started his own company, PatchWerk Recordings.

Whitfield told the New York Times, "I'm trying to make this a big company--a legitimate company--not just a side project or a hobby. I'm trying to make this so when I stop playing, I have a real job."

The Atlanta Falcons offensive lineman has exchanged his small, apartment-based sound lab in California for a full studio in Atlanta. His label released a single for rapper Ras Kass in 1994. Two years later Ras Kass's 1996 debut album Soul on Ice created enough hype to capture the attention and the support of Priority Records. Rappers Vooodu and Meen Green are also artists on Whitfield's label.

Chicago White Sox star Frank Thomas definitely has plans to make more hits in the Windy City with the formation of his new Chicago-based enterprise, Un-D-Nyable Entertainment, Inc. The company's debut single release is 3-5, The White Sox Got'em Open Up Wide. Un-D-Nyable has currently signed a young singer named Dejah in addition to Virgo Williams the featured vocalist on Ghost Town DJs' popular tune My Boo.

Star forward for the Phoenix Suns Waymon Tisdale has enjoyed widespread acclaim as a jazz bass player. He has already released two impressive projects. His first album Power Forward debuted in 1995 and featured cameo appearances by jazz musicians Marcus Miller, Lenny White and silky crooner Brian McKnight. This year Tisdale is making smoke with the album In The Zone. "I'm a born entertainer," says Tisdale. "I'm thankful to be able to do what I do. A lot of people can't understand how I can play basketball and music at the level I'm doing it."

NBA veteran Tyrone Hill, who plays with the Cleveland Cavaliers, is founder of the Cincinnati-based All Net Records. He spends two or three days a week during off-season calling record stores and radio stations in an effort to push his label's groups, rappers O.T.R. Clique, Renaizzance and D'Meka, whose album features work by Stevie J of Bad Boy Entertainment and funk giant Bootsy Collins. Aaron Hill, Tyrone's brother and senior vice president of All Net Records, inspired the basketball veteran to venture into the recording industry. Tyrone sees great things for the company's future. "Doing this is a challenge," Tyrone tells JET. "I'm trying to win my first championship in basketball, and I want to win a championship in music. I'm going for two things that I want to accomplish."