Richmond-area rapper releases song with Shaq

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia native and rapper Chandler Matkins, otherwise known as just "Chandler," has released a song with former NBA player, rapper and DJ Shaquille "Shaq" O'Neal.

The song, "Out There (REMIX)" is available to stream, download and purchase here.

8News got the chance to catch up with Chandler on Feb. 22 at "Chandler's RVA Send Off with the family," a show at the Broadberry in Richmond. The show was a "send-off," as he's moving back to New York, where he's lived on and off for the last decade.

Chandler has gone viral on social media multiple times, garnering millions of views across different platforms with his tracks "Nothin' To It" and "Hot Pocket," among others. His hits got the attention of none other than Shaq.

"Shaq hit me up via DM -- I had my phone turned upside down and looked at it and was in disbelief," Chandler said. "He just was very, very kind."

After being complimented on his music by the legend, Chandler told O'Neal they should "get one in sometime," not thinking that anything would come of it -- but then the collaboration actually happened.

The song has been ready since October which was a hard secret to keep for Chandler and his friends he said.

While Chandler is heading to The Big Apple soon, he told 8News that his show at The Broadberry in Richmond was not a final goodbye -- more of a "see you later". He said he'll be back to Richmond on tour -- and permanently, one day.

Chandler said that three words to describe the music scene in Richmond are "energetic, trustworthy and resilient." When it comes to making music, he said it's about the connection with people.

"I love to be around other people and I love to perform for people," Chandler said. "I see music -- number one, as an outlet to be able to speak my mind, but I also see it as a way to get that artistic energy out and onto the stage in front of people."

To stay up to date with the latest from Chandler, you can follow him on Instagram, X, and TikTok.