News Summary
DJ Diesel, the deejaying persona of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, will be the headliner at the Breakaway Music Festival in Huntsville, Alabama. Scheduled for October, the festival will also feature performances from renowned artists like the Chainsmokers and Kaskade. Ticket sales will commence in June, and the event promises a diverse lineup and immersive festival atmosphere, marking a significant addition to the local music scene.
Huntsville, Alabama
DJ Diesel, the deejaying persona of NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, will headline the Breakaway Music Festival at Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville, Alabama, on October 3 and 4, 2024. This exciting event will also feature performances from a variety of artists, including the pop duo Chainsmokers, renowned DJ Kaskade, and Brandi Cyrus, alongside more than 20 others.
Tickets for the festival will start at $170, plus fees, and they will be available for purchase on universe.com. The presale for tickets will begin on June 12, followed by the general sale on June 13. Although the exact performance schedule has yet to be released on the festival’s website, Breakaway is well-known for providing a diverse lineup of music across various genres, promising an immersive festival atmosphere.
DJ Diesel: The Man Behind the Turntables
Shaquille O’Neal, well-known for his illustrious basketball career, has a lasting passion for music that has led him to create and perform under the name DJ Diesel. He has notably incorporated tracks from artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Journey, and DMX into his performances, drawing from a catalog of music that resonates with fans of multiple genres. O’Neal’s foray into the music scene includes the release of four rap albums, with his debut, Shaq Diesel, selling over a million copies since its release in 1993.
A Celebrated Career in Basketball
O’Neal, towering at over 7 feet tall and weighing approximately 300 pounds, had a remarkable 19-year career in the NBA that saw him play for franchises such as the Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat. Throughout his tenure, he earned four NBA championships, was selected as an All-Star 15 times, and garnered significant accolades including Rookie of the Year in 1993 and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2000. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, solidifying his legacy in sports history.
About the Breakaway Music Festival
The Breakaway Music Festival is a touring event that has gained a considerable following, with reports of hundreds of thousands of tickets being sold annually. The Huntsville installment marks the first time the festival will take place in Alabama, part of a broader strategy for expansion that includes cities like Las Vegas, Philadelphia, and Northern California. The festival plans to include local DJs such as 2Checks, Lykwid, MACDIZZY, Mollywater, and Rocco, creating a mix of hype and excitement for local attendees and visitors.
Breakaway Music Festival aims to tackle the challenges currently facing the festival scene by offering a vibrant environment with multiple stages and a blend of musical styles, including house and dubstep. The festival’s sponsors include CELSIUS, Beatbox, Starry, Geek Bar, Cash App, and Jose Cuervo: Devil’s Reserve. In a commitment to community awareness, End Overdose will also be present at the festival to provide education on opioid overdose risks and prevention strategies.
Conclusion
The Breakaway Music Festival offers an inclusive opportunity for music lovers to enjoy live performances from both established and emerging artists while celebrating Shaquille O’Neal’s dual passion for sports and music. As the festival date approaches, the excitement builds around what promises to be an unforgettable experience for attendees in Huntsville.
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Huntsville’s Vibrant Arts and Music Scene Flourishes
Additional Resources
- AL.com: Shaquille O’Neal Coming to Alabama
- Wikipedia: DJ Diesel
- Digital Music News: Breakaway Music Festival Alabama 2025
- Google Search: Breakaway Music Festival
- EDM.com: Breakaway Mass 2025 Lineup
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Breakaway Music Festival
- EDMTunes: Spring Festival Returns with Illenium, DJ Diesel, and DJ Snake
- Google News: Shaquille O’Neal
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
