LiAngelo Ball is making waves far beyond the basketball court. The basketball player turned musician has signed a major record deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group, solidifying his transition into the music industry. According to ESPN NBA Senior Insider Shams Charania, the deal is worth up to $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed. Even more impressive, the deal gives Ball full ownership of his music and his Born2Ball Music Group label.
This monumental step comes on the heels of the viral success of Ball’s debut single, “Tweaker.” The Y2K-inspired track has taken social media by storm, amassing an impressive 15 million Spotify streams and selling 94,000 units in its first week. The song’s success has not only captured the attention of fans but has also resonated within the NBA community, with reports suggesting that “Tweaker” has become a locker room anthem across the league.
Ball’s rise in the music world is especially remarkable considering his basketball career, which saw him play for the Greensboro Swarm in the G-League. Despite making appearances for several NBA teams’ Summer Leagues and G-League affiliates, he never secured a permanent roster spot. However, with his hit single dominating the charts, LiAngelo is carving out a new path in music.
After teasing the track during a livestream with internet personality N3ON in December 2024, fans eagerly anticipated the full release. Ball’s nostalgic homage to early 2000s Southern rap has caught the attention of hip-hop heavyweights, with artists like Boosie and Moneybagg Yo reportedly reaching out to collaborate on remixes.
This partnership with Def Jam and Universal Music Group positions LiAngelo Ball as a serious player in the music industry, with plans to perform at Rolling Loud California this March alongside headliners A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, and Peso Pluma.
