LiAngelo Ball’s musical prowess has been a hot topic in the NBA lately. The middle sibling among basketball stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball has reportedly secured a significant recording contract, riding on the wave of excitement and attention surrounding his music. According to ESPN, the 26-year-old LiAngelo has inked a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group, potentially valued at up to $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed. This agreement not only provides Ball with full control over his music but also grants him his own record label.
One of Ball’s tracks, ‘Tweaker,’ has taken the sports world by storm since its release on Jan. 3, gaining popularity on platforms like TikTok and Instagram before making its way into arenas and locker rooms nationwide. Chart Data reveals that ‘Tweaker’ sold 94,000 units in its debut week in the United States, while the song’s video garnered nearly 8 million views on YouTube by Monday.
Recently announced as part of the Rolling Loud lineup in Inglewood, California, Ball is set to perform on March 15. Performing under the aliases ‘Gelo’ or ‘G3,’ Ball’s older brother Lonzo has already dubbed 2025 as the “year of G.”
Initially playing professional basketball for two games with Astros de Jalisco in Mexico earlier this year before leaving due to injury, Ball has since pivoted his focus to music. ‘Tweaker,’ which premiered on WorldstarHipHop’s YouTube channel, quickly amassed millions of views and drew praise from notable hip-hop artists and sports figures alike for its nostalgic sound reminiscent of mid-2000s rap hits.
With its catchy chorus and infectious energy, ‘Tweaker’ has become a fixture in arenas, even making appearances in locker rooms of victorious teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Lions. Despite LiAngelo Ball’s tumultuous basketball journey, including a rocky start at UCLA and stints in overseas and G League teams, he seems to have found his stride in the music industry, with his career on a promising trajectory.
During the 2022-23 seasons, LiAngelo Ball made his mark in the NBA G League playing for the Swarm. In 31 games, he maintained an average of 4.4 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 13.1 minutes on the court. Despite his solid performance in the G League, Ball faced challenges in securing a spot on an NBA regular-season roster.
Notably, Ball had opportunities to showcase his skills during training camp deals with NBA teams. In 2020, he signed with the Detroit Pistons for their training camp. Subsequently, he continued to pursue his NBA dreams by signing training camp deals with the Hornets in both 2021 and 2022. Despite these opportunities, Ball did not manage to secure a spot on any team’s regular-season roster.
In a surprising turn of events, following the buzz generated by one of his songs going viral, LiAngelo Ball ventured into the music industry. Reports surfaced indicating that he had inked a music deal with Def Jam Recordings. This new chapter in Ball’s career highlights his versatility and willingness to explore different avenues beyond the basketball court.
As his journey continues to unfold, LiAngelo Ball remains a dynamic figure transitioning between the realms of sports and entertainment. Stay tuned for more updates on his evolving career path.
