There’s no better way to promote a new rap album than being on a basketball show after a double-header of games. So it was that Nicki Minaj added to her memorable and illustrious career by cyphering with the cast of TNT’s Inside the NBA on Thursday night.

But neither Nicki nor fellow rap superstar Shaquille O’Neal stole the show. No, that would be Ernie Johnson, the show’s host, spitting bars all day.

How do you finish a performance like that off?

Because the mic was too hot to hold any longer. That’s why.

And yes, Grant Hill read his lyrics. Also, Shaq rapped forever because Charles Barkley had the night off. Man, what a shame that is in retrospect.

Here’s the full video, with Johnson stepping in at about 4:15:

“Ernie, you did such a great job.” Even Nicki knows when she needs to bow down to the king.