(upbeat music)
- [TV Host] From Brandy and Ray J
to Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem family connections
in music have always been a thing.
Although most fans don't realize some
of our favorite artists are actually related.
Having more than one superstar
in the family sounds like success.
The roots on these family trees are strong
and there are a lot of mega celebrity fruit.
- 25 years ago, Def Jam was sort of like the springboard
for all of us young, talented, you know, hungry comedians.
It was opportunity for us to have our own voice.
You had no censorship.
You could talk about any topic.
We were known for being like very edgy.
That's why it was like HBO.
Like you could say what the hell ever, you know?
So that was fun.
It was fun.
- [TV Host] In the nineties, there was
a new wave of black comedians
largely due to HBO's Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam.
When Bill Bellamy hit that stage,
his spot as one
of the premier comedians was solidified.
Actor and standup comedian and host Bill Bellamy
was a TV staple
as a VJ and host of MTV Jams
and MTV Beach House.
He went on to star in a number
of now iconic movies, including "Love Jones,"
"The Brothers," "How to be a Player,"
and "Any Given Sunday."
Bill's been a part of numerous pop culture moments
including Nickelodeons "Kenan and Kel."
And as the voice of Skeeter on "Cousin Skeeter."
Not only did he star in notable TV shows and films
but Bill had everyone using the term booty call.
A term equivalent to today's Netflix and chill.
First using it on Def Comedy Jam in the early '90s,
Bill regrets not trademarking the iconic phrase.
Since the start of his career
he's gone on to starring in popular television shows,
films, and lending his voice to characters
amassing fans globally.
He appeared frequently as a round table guest
on the late night e-talk show, "Chelsea Lately."
Bellamy continued the laughs
as host of "Bill Bellamy's Who's got Jokes,"
on TV one from 2006 to 2009.
Seasons five and six
of NBC's "Last Comic Standing" reality show
from 2007 to 2008.
In 2014, he had a recurring role as Councilman Powell
on the TV Land original series "Hot in Cleveland."
In 2016, Bellamy returned to the silver screen
as FBI agent Sanders in "Kindergarten Cop two,"
and recently starred
in 2020's Netflix mini series "Self Made."
If learning Bill created
the phrase booty call was a shocker,
discovering who his mega famous cousin is
will be even more surprising.
- Shaq is the most versatile basketball player
or probably even athlete
that come out in sometime.
I mean, when a man can do a movie,
have his own rap CD or album,
and still play basketball
that's versatility at its best.
- [TV Host] One of the greatest basketball players
and centers of all time, Shaquille O'Neal,
affectionately known as Shaq,
is Bill Bellamy's cousin.
Shaq is also known
for being a jokester in his own right.
So it makes sense that these two are related.
Shaq is a former professional basketball player
turned hilarious sports analyst on "Inside the NBA."
Shaq is one of the greatest basketball players
of all all time and at seven foot one inches tall
this legendary center played for six teams
over his 19-year career in the NBA.
Winning four NBA championships.
O'Neal was drafted by the Orlando Magic
with the first overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft.
He quickly became one of the best centers
in the league winning rookie of the year in 1992 and '93
and leading his team to the 1995 NBA finals.
After four years with the Magic, O'Neal signed
as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers
winning three consecutive championships
in 2000, 2001, and 2002.
In 2004 O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat.
From 2007 to 2010,
he played for the Phoenix Suns, the Cleveland Cavaliers,
and the Boston Celtics before retiring in 2011.
He is one of only three players to win NBA MVP,
all-star game MVP, and finals MVP awards
in the same year 2000.
Ranking eighth all time in point scored,
sixth in field goals, 15th in rebounds,
and eighth in blocks.
O'Neal was honored as one of the league's greatest players
of all time by being named
to the NBA's 50th anniversary team in 1996.
O'Neal was elected into
the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.
He was elected to the FIBA hall of fame in 2017.
In October of 2021
O'Neal was again honored as one
of the league's greatest players of all time
by being named to the NBA's 75th anniversary team.
Shaq may be funny, but is definitely no joke when it comes
to making money moves.
Basketball was not his only calling.
Shaq was a lyricist with four rap albums
with his first Shaq Diesel going platinum.
O'Neal is also an electronic music producer and touring DJ.
Shaq didn't just stop at music.
He has appeared in numerous films,
starred in and produced his own reality shows,
and hosts "The Big Podcast with Shaq."
From 2013 to 2022,
he was a minority owner of the Sacramento Kings
and is the general manager of Kings Guard Gaming
of the NBA 2K.
He's literally and figuratively, a big boss.
History makers and shot callers are merely understatements.
When you think of how these cousins have moved
the culture forward and left lasting impressions
on the world through sports, entertainment, and music.
Their creative roots run strong
as they continue to flourish individually
and their success grows collectively.
It turns out artistic talent
and creative abilities really do run in the family.
These stars will never have to worry
about being the only celebrity at the family reunion.