This time, LiAngelo Ball is creating a stir—but not on the basketball court. Gelo, as he is commonly nicknamed, is the middle brother of the well-known Ball family and is now sweeping the music world with his viral song "Tweaker." Gelo's breakthrough single has gone viral on the internet and swiftly became a meme, even if his siblings Lonzo and LaMelo excel in basketball.
More than simply a pleasant tune, the braggadocious hymn, released in early January 2025, has taken over social media feeds and locker rooms. What is the 'Tweaker' meme, and how did LiAngelo's rap debut become so popular?
From a casual quip to meme stardom: The rise of LiAngelo Ball’s ‘Tweaker’ meme
LiAngelo’s viral 'Tweaker' moment
"Tweaker" is more than simply a song; it's a sensation. The internet went crazy when Gelo, who performs under the stage name G3, published the song through his Born to Ball Music Group. Fans were immediately captivated by the song's vintage mid-2000s vibes, which included lines like "I might swerve, bend that corner, woah-oah."
Millions of people watched the song when it first appeared on a well-known video site, and soon after, sports clubs like the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Cavaliers adopted it as their locker room anthem. Fans have dubbed the song the sound of the time due to its contagious energy and Gelo's unrepentant swagger.
How the meme took off
The song "Tweaker" by LiAngelo is the ideal illustration of how internet culture can make almost anything become a meme. As the song quickly gained popularity on social media, fans celebrated it with TikTok videos, gifs, and memes. The meme potential of "Tweaker" blossomed, whether it was sports teams bumping the song after a significant victory or Lil Yachty moving to the rhythm in a fit reminiscent of the 2000s.
T-Pain even joined the craze by using a vintage picture to quote Gelo's words. Even a weatherman included the song in his broadcast, jokingly mentioning slick roads and warning that vehicles may "swerve bend that corner." The song's meme potential doesn't end there.
Locker room love and co-signs from the rap game
"Tweaker" has evolved into a true anthem for sports teams and is no longer simply for online jokes. As his teammates grooved to the song, Cleveland Cavaliers player Donovan Mitchell acknowledged LiAngelo in a postgame interview. The Detroit Lions joined in as well, celebrating their NFC North title victory with the song "Tweaker" as the background music.
Major musicians like Moneybagg Yo and Boosie Badazz are keen to remix the viral song, demonstrating Gelo's influence beyond sports. This is a legitimate music movement, not simply a meme.
LiAngelo’s success with “Tweaker” is just the beginning. The 26-year-old has earned a slot at Rolling Loud California in March 2025, solidifying his position as an up-and-coming rapper. While Gelo may not have any full projects out yet, fans are eagerly awaiting more music, and with his star continuing to rise, it’s safe to say there’s plenty more heat on the way. For the Ball family, it’s a special time—while LiAngelo dominates the music scene, his brother LaMelo is leading the fan vote for the NBA All-Star Game.
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