In the hyper-competitive world of professional sports and entertainment, few stories are as surprising as the continued ascent of Gelo. Born LiAngelo Ball, the middle sibling of the Ball basketball dynasty has officially traded the squeak of sneakers for the thump of a studio beat, and the move is paying off in a massive way, proving that success often lies just outside the expected lane.
Despite the initial public skepticism that follows any athlete pivoting to music, Gelo’s journey has been marked by viral success, a lucrative record deal, and high-profile performances that cement his status as a serious contender in hip-hop.
Ditching the G-League for Guaranteed Millions
Gelo’s decision to pivot was recently made crystal clear on the podcast “Bag Fuel,” where he revealed the significant financial disparity between his former and current career paths. As a player in the NBA G League, Gelo stated he was earning a mere $3,000 a month. “As a grown man? That ain’t it,” he candidly remarked.
The real turning point came with his breakout 2024 single, “Tweaker.” The track became a viral sensation, racking up nearly 20 million streams on Spotify and earning praise from rap heavyweights like Meek Mill and Lil Yachty. This instantaneous success quickly led to a multi-million dollar offer. Gelo signed a deal with Def Jam Recordings and Universal Music Group reportedly worth up to $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed. This unprecedented deal also granted him full ownership of his music and his own label, Born2Ball Music Group.
As Gelo himself stated upon seeing the music checks, the decision to leave basketball was “not some hard decision.” He confirmed his retirement from the court in August 2025.
Stage Presence Beyond the Hardwood
The viral buzz of “Tweaker” has quickly translated into major live opportunities, silencing any critics who doubted his stage presence. Gelo is no longer just a bedroom rapper; he’s performing on national platforms. Gelo has been a festival mainstay across the US. He took the stage at Rolling Loud Los Angeles in 2025, a massive leap for a fledgling artist. He’s paired that with Award Show Perform Gelo performed his hit single at the BET Awards ’25 Red Carpet Pre-Show and even graced the stage for a live performance at The ESPY Awards 2025. These performances prove that Gelo’s music resonates far beyond the Ball family’s built-in fan base, tapping into the broader hip-hop and sports-culture audiences.
Gelo’s ascension was further solidified by his inclusion on the coveted 2025 XXL Freshman List—a traditional barometer for rising hip-hop talent.
While his appearance on LeBron James’s HBO show “The Shop” was not detailed in recent coverage, the very fact that he was a guest on such a high-profile, culture-defining platform underscores his newfound status. Being invited to “The Shop” indicates that Gelo is now viewed as a major cultural force in his own right, shedding the ‘middle Ball brother’ narrative and commanding respect in the music industry.
Despite the pressure to follow his brothers into the NBA, Gelo’s decision to chase his true passion—and the massive financial reward that followed—proves that he has, indeed, found his “League of My Own,” which is also the title of his debut album released in July 2025 under Def Jam.
You can watch Gelo’s electric BET Awards performance here: Gelo Tweaker Live at BET Awards ’25. This video is relevant as it showcases Gelo performing his hit single “Tweaker” on a major industry stage, demonstrating his progress in the music industry.
