Tweaker

Album: released as a single (2025)
Charted: 84 30
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • LiAngelo "Gelo" Ball is the second of basketball's three Ball Brothers, along with guards Lonzo and LaMelo. While older brother Lonzo dazzles with the Chicago Bulls and younger brother LaMelo turns heads with the Charlotte Hornets, LiAngelo has been fighting to escape the shadow of going undrafted in 2018 after an abrupt departure from UCLA.

    Released under the name "G3 Gelo" on January 3, 2025, "Tweaker" is LiAngelo's debut single. The track brims with swagger, featuring bars about financial triumphs, resilience, and a shoutout to the ever-colorful patriarch of the Ball family, LaVar.
  • The title comes from a line in the chorus:

    You wanna tweak? Get up with me and I'ma show you how that go
  • Produced by Kunicabeats and Glockiecheez, the song blends Afrobeat grooves and the Southern rap twang of early 2000s icons like Bubba Sparxxx and Nelly.
  • Upon its release, "Tweaker" exploded across the internet, racking up millions of streams and views. The boastful track with its catchy "I might swerve, bend that corner, woah-oah" hook became an earworm, soundtracking TikToks, locker room playlists, and even a Lil Yachty dance video featuring a retro 2000s outfit.
  • While "Tweaker" is credited to G3 Gelo the song is very much LiAngelo's project. Lonzo, despite being listed as a co-writer, revealed his sole contribution was the cover art. This clarification didn't stop fans from drawing comparisons to Lonzo's own forays into music, which includes two albums released in past years.
  • When "Tweaker" debuted at #29 on the January 18, 2025 Hot 100, LiAngelo Ball became the second basketball star to clock up a Top 40 hit. The other? Shaquille O'Neal charted twice in 1993: "What's Up Doc? (Can We Rock)," with Fu-Schnickens (#39) and "(I Know I Got) Skillz" (#35).
  • "Tweaker" originated in December 2024 when former NBA G-League hooper Gelo Ball wrote the track in his garage. It was one of four songs he recorded that session, but this one felt different. On the ride home, he played it on repeat, letting it sink in. By the time he pulled into his driveway, he was convinced - this was the one. For final confirmation, he sent it to his brothers, Lonzo and LaMelo. "At the end of that s--t, I knew that s--t was gonna be great," he told Billboard.
  • Gelo's hometown homie Pat sent Gelo the beat. "He searched up all the beats and stuff and he'll link with the producers and sent it my way," Gelo said. "They'll send me a pack and I'll listen to 10 beats or so and I'll pick three great ones."
  • The hype train left the station in late December after a preview surfaced on popular streamer N3on's platform, turning "Tweaker" into a meme-factory of 2000s nostalgia. The snippet looped endlessly, its hook burrowing into brains everywhere as fans crowned it an undeniable banger.

    Gelo doubled down on the throwback vibes by premiering "Tweaker" on WorldStarHipHop - a move ripped straight from the 2011 playbook. Just 10 days after the track dropped, he inked a deal with Def Jam, capitalizing on the momentum without missing a beat.
  • For the remix, Gelo took a trip to New Orleans for a one-on-one matchup with Lil Wayne. The "Tweaker" remix arrived on February 7, 2025, and for Gelo, it was a surreal moment, which he compared to hooping with Michael Jordan. "He back on that Dedication-type of sound," said Gelo. "That boy was flowing."

Comments: 1

  • Anonymousbanger
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.