NBA fans have counted out LiAngelo Ball for a long time now. He hasn’t been afforded the same success as his famous brothers, or even his controversial father. Gelo’s basketball career has been admittedly disappointing by comparison, and as such, his NBA future has remained up in the air thus far.
In a surprising move, though, LiAngelo Ball has proven in 2025 that he doesn’t need an NBA contract to make a name for himself.On January 3, Gelo released a rap single called “Tweaker” under the pseudonym of G3, and in mere weeks, the song launched Gelo into superstardom within the music industry.
The song has catapulted G3 into newfound success overnight, seemingly out of nowhere. He’s performed the song at NFL football games and landed a multi-million dollar contract based on the viral sensation. Some still wonder how all this success manifested for Ball in such a short, sudden amount of time.
History of the Ball Family
To understand how the success of “Tweaker” came about, readers must first understand how NBA followers initially met LiAngelo Ball.Just under a decade ago, NBA fans and the basketball community at large were first introduced to the Ball family. Led by charismatic family patriarch LaVar Ball, the founder of the Big Baller Brand, the Ball brothers were hyped (particularly by their father) as the next Big Three of the basketball universe and future NBA superstars. The Chino Hills High School standouts led their team to an undefeated 35-0 streak.
Lonzo, after leading the nation in assists and breaking the UCLA record for most season assists in his freshman year there, Lonzo was the first to make it to the NBA. Lonzo was drafter second overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, ending the season on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. A year later, LaMelo was drafted third overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, ending the season as the Rookie of the Year.LiAngelo, meanwhile, failed to manifest the same success or excitement surrounding his career as his brothers. After declaring for the 2018 NBA Draft, Gelo went undrafted.
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The middle child spent the next few years flirting with the NBA G-League,often being waived before playing a game. He last signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Charlotte Hornets - his brother LaMelo’s team - heading into the 2022 Summer League but was waived in the fall right before the season began. During an interview with WNBA superstar Angel Reese on herUnapologetically Angelpodcast, Lonzo gave his brother some tough love on the air.While he doesn’t outright criticize his brother’s skill level, he did say that any ambitions for an NBA future are unrealistic for Gelo, telling him he should consider playing overseas instead.
Lonzo and LiAngelo discuss Gelo’s NBA ambitions at the 11:18 timestamp of Angel Reese’s podcast.
NBA Stars and Fans Embrace “Tweaker”
Everyone Loves G3’s New Song
Their interview with Angel Reese aired in November 2024, and presumably, LiAngelo must have taken his brother’s advice to heart. If Gelo truly came to accept that the NBA would not be calling him anytime soon, then that would explainhis sudden career pivot in January 2025 when he’d release his debut rap single, “Tweaker.“Lyrically, it’s the standard braggadocious hip-hop song where Gelo brags about spending money, time with women, rising from obscurity, and most of all, how he “might swerve and bend that corner [whoa]” in brand-new cars.
It’s one thing for everybody to be talking about the song, but clearly,everyoneis loving the song.
The song achieved millions of views almost instantly, as several athletes from the NBA and NFL locker rooms filmed themselves enjoying the song. Retired players like Jeff Teague, Blake Griffin, and Cam Newton also praised the song publicly. TheInside the NBAcrew, including NBA legend andKazaamstar Shaquille O’Neal, couldn’t help but dance along themselves. The song also received co-signs from celebritiesand rappers like Drake, Cardi B, Joe Budden, T-Pain, Cam’Ron, Mase, andeven the legendary Eminemalso praised the song.The song was a viral hit seemingly overnight. It’s one thing for everybody to be talking about the song, but clearly,everyoneis loving the song.
Why Does Everybody Love Tweaker?
G3’s New Song Explained
Any avid hip-hop listener can listen and understand why “Tweaker” has become so infectious for audiences.Its bragging lyrics and catchy beat feel reminiscent of the early 2000s bling era. Anyone who lived through that era feels nostalgic for “Tweaker’s” sound, while younger generations who know nothing about that era can enjoy the song because it sounds different from anything that’s out and on the charts today. On the other hand,on the NBA side of things and perhaps even the fan side, people support the song because they genuinely want to support Gelo. NBA legend Carmelo Anthony says it best on his and the Kid Mero’s7PM in Brooklynpodcast:
I’m happy he found something he found happiness in. [Basketball] ain’t for everybody. You know what I mean? Everybody’s journeys is different, but for him to find happiness in something else, and it’s working right now for him. It ain’t no bull****. He got a banger right now.
Numerous fans, critics, and athletes likely share Melo’s sentiment. People have watched LiAngelo Ball attempt to achieve basketball success for so long, but nothing’s connected. When people see the passion and dedication he has towards aspiring to achieve his craft, even if he doesn’t have the skill to reach the next level, it’s hard not to commend that. Now that G3 has finally found something that he’s good at after that struggle, people genuinely want to see him succeed. Now, finally, he’s in a league of star status alongside hisNBAbrothers while also separating himself from his family name.
