Capitalizing on the viral success of his song “Tweaker,” pro basketball player LiAngelo Ball is setting out on a proper music career. This week, the athlete signed with Def Jam Records after the success of his debut single, released under the name G3 GELO. Since the track’s debut less than two weeks ago, “Tweaker” has racked up nearly 20 million streams on Spotify, and has received more than 9 million views on World Star Hip Hop’s YouTube channel. This week, the track officially debuted on the Billboard Hot 100, landing at number 29.
Since “Tweaker” was released at the beginning of January, Ball has received cosigns from some of rap’s biggest names, including Meek Mill, T-Pain, and Lil Yachty, the latter of whom shared a video on TikTok dancing to the track. Cam’ron also praised the track: “I like the single. I’m from the 2000s, you sound like you was down with Cash Money,” name checking some pretty big names like Lil Wayne and Juvenile in the process. The success of the song has also opened new doors for Ball; he will perform at Rolling Loud Los Angeles this March.
Before music took off for Ball, he was an aspiring NBA player and the brother of famed ballers LaMelo and Lonzo. While he hasn’t made the NBA like his brothers, he’s now in the first in the family to get not just a record deal, but a single on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2017, Lonzo (as “ZO”) released two tracks: “Melo Ball 1” and “ZO2.” Neither, however, managed to see the rapid success of “Tweaker.” Of his newfound fame, Ball said, per The Guardian, “God works in mysterious ways.”
