Back in what historians call "the day," there was an almost seven-foot, Lebanese-born NBA center rocking the face off any opposing player who dared to challenge him under the basket. Now in what historians call "the present," he's rocking faces off with his turntable skills as an electronic house music DJ.
That's right ... Former Miami Heat center Rony Seikaly (AKA the Spin Doctor) is now dropping beats like he dropped weak-ass John Stockton shot attempts. And tonight, you can go one-on-one with Seikaly at LIV where he'll be hosting the official CD-release party for his debut album House Calls.
Seikaly played in the NBA from 1988 to 1999, in an era dominated by Magic, Bird, Jordan, and those ball-wringing short shorts everybody wore. He became the Miami Heat's first-ever pick when the fledgling team took him ninth overall in the '88 NBA draft. And, in terms of numbers and production, he had a more prolific career with the Heat than Shaquille O'Neal.
Over the course of his career with Miami, Rony set franchise records for blocked shots in a game, blocked shots in a season, and total rebounds in a season. And again upping O'Neal, a truly shitty shooter from the painted line, he also set the franchise record for free throws made in a game.
Even off the court, Shaq is no match for Seikaly. This month, the seven-foot DJ is releasing his debut digital album, Subliminal Essentials Presents: House Calls by Rony Seikaly. Now do you remember when O'Neal released a rap album called Shaq Fu: Da Return? Well, Rony wins again!
Much like when we all saw him in a Magic uniform in 1996, long-time Heat fans might be a little weirded out seeing the seven-footer behind the decks. They might even be all, "That dude looks like Rony Seikaly!" before downing three ecstasy pills and getting ejected from the club for a flagrant display of dry humping.
But you'd be surprised to learn that Rony is actually a pretty kickass DJ. While a lot of celebrity spinners will make you want to ram your head up a miniature horse's ass just to muffle the noise, Seikaly's style is amiably cool. Subliminal Records founder and underground legend Erick Morillo calls him a "raw talent with a great musical ear."
And he isn't getting gigs at clubs or getting signed by record labels because of his NBA past either. "I didn't want to be a celebrity DJ," he says. "What happens is that people get intrigued by an NBA player as a DJ. But if you aren't good, you aren't good."
As for the new album, it's equal parts positive energy and smoothness. If there was a musical equivalent to Seikaly's playing style, this might be it. And even though he's no longer playing in the NBA, we still think he can totally take out any of the world's tallest DJs. Like Menno de Jong, for example.
"Taking a DJ one-on-one ... Yeah, I could totally stuff another DJ," he says, laughing.
-- Chris Joseph
Rony Seikaly's House Calls CD-Release Party. Saturday, October 23. LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. Doors open at 10 p.m. Call 305-674-4680 or visit livnightclub.com.
