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LiAngelo Ball, better known as a basketball star, shifted to becoming a live stage music performer on February 15, 2025, for NBA All-Star Saturday Night. The act was performed at the Chase Center in San Francisco with his live concert of "Tweaker" in a special highlight of turning pro in music after basketball.
His performance was immediately a buzz, and he received mixed reactions from fans, critics, and artists. While some commended his attempt to enter the entertainment scene, others were not favorable, especially with respect to his performance on stage and how he rapped. Such mixed responses point to the challenges that sports people, in general, have when they try to cross over into entertainment.
Reception and Social Media Reactions from the performace of LiAngelo Ball
LiAngelo Ball's performance initiated debates on various platforms. Some supported his new career, while others unfavorably compared his skills to established musicians. Importantly, he was compared to well-known rappers, such as Kendrick Lamar. This generated more debate. Some social media users teasingly called him "better than Kendrick," while others claimed LiAngelo Balll's performance required more work.
Have a look at some of the fan reactions:
Tweaker's Success and Record Deal of LiAngelo Ball
Before LiAngelo Balll's NBA All-Star appearance, "Tweaker" had also gained significant momentum. The song gained over 14 million views on WorldStarHipHop's YouTube channel and hit 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. Social networking platforms such as TikTok and Instagram made it incredibly popular, and many users created viral dance videos and reaction challenges.
Off the success of the song, LiAngelo Ball signed with Universal Music Group and Def Jam to a recording contract. The report from si and hotnewhiphop suggests that the contract is worth as much as $13 million, with a guaranteed $8 million. According to thesource and hotnewhiphop, it is also revealed that this contract is one of the biggest for a debut sports rapper due to both the interest in Ball's music as well as the pre-existing popularity as a member of the Ball family.
A remix featuring rapper Lil Wayne also increased the song's popularity. The collaboration exposed Ball's music to a wider audience and made him a legitimate up-and-coming artist. Sites like Spotify and Apple Music reported giant increases in streams after the release of the remix.
Basketball Background of LiAngelo Ball and His Career Move into Music
LiAngelo Ball's professional career started first with basketball. He was with the NBA G League's Greensboro Swarm from 2021 to 2023, averaging 4.4 points in 31 games. Unlike his brothers Lonzo and LaMelo, who both established a career in the NBA, LiAngelo pursued a different route for his career in the entertainment industry.
Although he had wished to enter the NBA as a young player, Ball encountered several setbacks, including injuries and roster cuts from LiAngelo Ball's teams. To become a musician is a sign of how eager he is to adapt and do something different than basketball.
NBA All-Star Weekend Event Highlights
NBA All-Star Saturday Night included several competitions like the Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest, and Skills Challenge. LiAngelo Ball's performance was also on the list of entertainment during the event because they were attempting to align sports and entertainment in a manner that appealed to a broader audience.
Interestingly, he was the sole representative of the Ball family, since LaMelo Ball didn't get an All-Star nomination and Lonzo Ball is on the mend, following knee surgeries. The fact that LiAngelo Balll's brothers, who have been at the center of basketball debate, were not present served to further put the limelight on LiAngelo and his performance.
Interestingly, he was the sole representative of the Ball family since LaMelo Ball didn't get an All-Star nomination, and Lonzo Ball is on the mend following knee surgeries. The fact that LiAngelo Ball's brothers, who have been at the center of basketball debate, were not present further put the limelight on LiAngelo and his performance.
Future Musical Ventures of LiAngelo Ball
LiAngelo Ball will appear at the Rolling Loud festival in Los Angeles in March 2025. This is LiAngelo Balll's first appearance at a major music festival, and it will give his music career more exposure. Insiders in the music industry believe this performance will be a deciding factor in his sustainability in the rap game.
Although LiAngelo Ball's shift from basketball to music has been met with mixed responses, his increasing popularity in the entertainment world keeps everyone wondering. LiAngelo Ball's upcoming projects and performances will keep opinions about his career as a musician changing in the future. As he continues to hone his skills and keep dropping new songs, people will be watching intently to see how he becomes established in an industry famous for its competitiveness.
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