One of the biggest Hip-Hop moments to kick off 2025 does not relate to rap beef or a chart-topping album. Instead, the internet is trapped swerving and bending corners with LiAngelo Ball‘s viral “Tweaker” record, which is ushering the 26-year-old into a full fledged musical career.
As reported by ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania on Monday morning (Jan. 13), the former professional athlete now has a record deal, cementing the song’s status as a developing hit.
“LiAngelo Ball has signed a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group, a representative from his label Born2Ball Music Group says,” detaIled Charania on X. “Sources said the deal is worth as much as $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed, and gives Ball full ownership of music and his own record label.”
The deal could give Ball the momentum to parlay “Tweakers” from a viral meme to Hip-Hop legitimacy as he runs the risk of failing to produce another earworm or being categorized as a one-hit-wonder. Per ESPN, the song entered the top-10 streaming chart for the U.S. on Spotify on Jan. 8. at No. 4, passing Tyler, the Creator’s “Sticky” featuring GloRilla, Sexyy Red and Lil Wayne, and Kendrick Lamar’s “tv off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, with 1,398,725 streams.
“Tweaker” has also landed the former UCLA Bruin a coveted spot at Rolling Loud California, set for the Hollywood Park Grounds in March with headliners A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Peso Pluma.
Listed under his stage name G3 Gelo on Spotify, “Tweaker” appears on Apple Music under The Ball Brothers as of Monday. Lonzo Ball is named as a writer on the track, however, he clarified on X, “Only credit I deserve is the cover art lol G really that! #YearOfG”
In the past, LiAngelo has collaborated with JpThaRuler in “MOB TIES” released in 2021 under his G3 Gelo moniker. He and Lonzo also released the collaborative Ball-Star Pack mixtape with the stage names ZO and G Honcho in February 2022 under the Born To Ball Music Group.
Since its release, “Tweaker” has been favored in both NBA and NFL locker rooms, with love from Shaquille O’Neal, Boosie Badazz, the Brooklyn Nets, Moneybagg Yo, and the Detroit Lions.
“I’ve been hearing it a lot, it gives me that 2003-2004 vibe,” expressed Damian Lillard, who also raps, per Bleacher Report.
“But I rock with it, like I said, it’s a slapper. As an artist, you gotta respect other people’s artistry, and when something is going, it’s going. So, like I said, I rock with it, I respect it, and I’m always happy for other people’s success. That’s when you have your success, when you’re happy with people. So I’m happy for him, it’s a big record, you’re hearing it everywhere. Much love to him.”
Take a listen to “Tweaker” below.
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