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[Saba Sports News] LiAngelo Ball, best known as the older brother of NBA stars Lonzo and LaMelo Ball, is carving out his own path in the music industry. His debut single, Tweaker, took social media by storm in January, leading to a major record deal with Def Jam. Since then, he’s collaborated with heavyweights like Lil Wayne and GloRilla, cementing his rapid rise in hip-hop.
Over the weekend, Ball took a big step forward in his music career, performing at Rolling Loud California and previewing an unreleased track, per Complex. However, social media users seemed more focused on his stage presence than the music itself—and not in a flattering way.
Dressed in a navy cap, sunglasses, denim shorts, and red, black, and white Nike sneakers, Gelo hit the stage ready to showcase his latest work.
But instead of generating hype for his upcoming release, the internet had other plans. Social media exploded with reactions to his movements and overall stage presence rather than the song’s lyrics or production.
Users in ‘The Shade Room’s’ comment section didn’t hold back.
One joked, “His body throwing me off 😂,” while another quipped, “Boy in & outta shape at the same damn time lmao.” Others pointed out an apparent mismatch between his persona and upbringing, with one user writing, “Private school 🥷🏾 talmbout moving w gangstas n killas🤦🏾♂️.” Another added, “It’s giving the suburb kid that wants to be hood so bad.”
Despite the performance critiques, Gelo’s music career continues to gain momentum. Tweaker has already surpassed 90 million on-demand streams, generating nearly $640,000 in revenue. A major boost came from the high-profile remix featuring Lil Wayne, which helped propel streaming numbers.
According to Billboard, the track earned approximately $476,500 from master recording rights and an additional $161,500 from publishing royalties.
His deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group, reportedly worth $13 million with $8 million guaranteed, highlights the industry’s confidence in his potential. Even more impressively, he maintains full ownership of his masters, a move that could pay off significantly in the long run.
While Gelo’s stage presence is under fire, his music is undeniably gaining traction.
Whether the track he previewed at Rolling Loud will replicate Tweaker’s success remains to be seen. One thing is certain—the internet will keep talking, and LiAngelo Ball will keep pushing forward in his rap career.