About a decade ago, the Ball family first came onto the scene to shake up the basketball world. Everyone loves a good all-American family story, and the Balls fit the bill. LaVar Ball and his wife Tina raised three professional basketball players.
While Lonzo and LaMelo play in the NBA, LiAngelo didn’t achieve the same success hooping. He had a brief contract with the Detroit Pistons and recently played international ball with the Mexican team Astros de Jalisco, making him the lesser-known middle child. Everything changed when LiAngelo released “Tweaker,” taking over the internet with his viral “swerve, bend that corner,” hook.
Now, everyone owes LaVar an apology as LiAngelo, his third and final son to reach stardom, has reportedly signed a multi-million dollar record deal, making LaVar three for three.
Below, find out more about LiAngelo and his “Tweaker” success story.
LiAngelo secures $13M Def Jam deal
Amid the success of Tweaker, which has taken over every corner of the internet involving sports and hip-hop, LiAngelo is cashing in. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, he signed a record deal with Def Jam and Universal Music that’s worth a guaranteed eight million dollars with the potential for 13 million. The deal reportedly allows him to retain full ownership of his music and his own record label.
“Tweaker” has the internet in a chokehold
LiAngelo released his new single, “Tweaker,” on January 3 under the stage name “G3 Gelo.” It quickly evoked a sense of nostalgia, with some fans joking that his dad, Lavar, wrote it back in 2000 as a backup plan.
“Combing AfroBeat with a twanging Southern rap style in the vein of Bubba Sparxxx or Nelly, LiAngelo’s performance is not only unique and memorable, but it is unexpected for someone who seemed out of the public eye,” American Songwriter stated.
LiAngelo trash talks throughout the track but still provides a memorable hook (“I might swerve, bend that corner, woah”) that’s already been quoted by athletes, DoorDash, and news anchors.
“… I started from the bottom, just like you but I was harder, I came up a f***** soldier, n****, shout out to my father, Ah-ah, he made sure I’ll make it farther, Ah-ah, my trust in God, Glocks and dollars,” LiAngelo spits.
“Tweaker” is also a family affair, with Lonzo (AKA ZO) securing a writing credit. On its opening day, it was streamed 1.32 million times on Spotify (the 12th most streamed rap song in the world on January 6) and has almost four million views on YouTube.
LiAngelo’s been amassing co-signs like infinity stones, from the Detroit Lions and Brooklyn Nets to Lil Yachty, and he just notched another milestone. He was announced as a performer for Rolling Loud California. Catch him swerving and bending on stage on March 15.