Shaquille O’Neal hosts ‘Shaq-tacular Spectacular’ New Year’s Eve VR party on Meta platforms

Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, also known as DJ Diesel, has unveiled an immersive VR New Year’s countdown featuring famous performers Cardi B, Ludacris, Killer Mike, Lil Yachty, Killer Mike, Whipped Cream, and Lil Yachty, as well as guests Rob Gronkowski and Camille Kostek. 

The one-hour VR special ‘The Shaq-tacular Spectacular’ premieres in Meta Horizon Worlds and on Meta Quest TV. The experience will also be live on Shaq’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as Messenger’s Watch Together. The party begins on Saturday, December 31, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The NBA star will possibly play heavy-hitting bass music on a virtual DJ Diesel set on the main stage, which will feature a marching band, cheerleaders, professional roller skaters, basketball players, fans, and more.

The event’s producers are Westbrook Media, Media.Monks, and Shaquille O’Neal’s Jersey Legends Productions. O’Neal has been experimenting with music through several projects, including Shaq’s Fun House festival. As DJ Diesel, he has shared his electronic music passion at the world’s largest festivals, such as Tomorrowland, Electric Zoo, and Lollapalooza.

“This year we’re ringing in 2023 with new experiences and connections. I’m excited to celebrate with some of my favorite artists and athletes in a way that you can enjoy with friends and family in VR across the world,”

Shaq said.

The New Year’s party also aims to advance Meta’s metaverse ambitions and entertain users in the virtual world. Meta’s previous metaverse music entertainment initiatives include a virtual concert with a CGI avatar of late rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

Virtual concerts aren’t uncommon anymore. In August, Video Music Awards 2022 (VMAs) introduced Metaverse Performance Awards for the first time ever. South Korean K-pop band BLACKPINK won the award with a virtual concert in the metaverse, ‘The Virtual PUBG Mobile.’

Famous artists, including Snoop Dogg, Ariana Grande, Paris Hilton, and Justin Bieber, have organized concerts in the metaverse.