LiAngelo Ball signs Def Jam deal worth $13 million
Basketball star LiAngelo Ball has reportedly signed a music deal with Def Jam Recordings.
The 26-year-old, whose brothers Lonzo and LaMelo currently play in the NBA, inked a contract worth up to $13 million this week.
ESPN sports reporter Shams Charania reported the news on X on January 13th, writing, “LiAngelo Ball has signed a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group, a representative from his label Born2Ball Music Group says. Sources said the deal is worth as much as $13 million, with $8 million guaranteed, and gives Ball full ownership of music and his own record label.”
LiAngelo’s partner, Nikki Mudarris, with who he shares a child, took to her Instagram Stories to celebrate the news. “You deserve all the blessings and more,” she wrote alongside a post by The Shade Room.
The California-born rapper dropped his debut single ‘Tweaker‘ under the name G3 GELO on January 3rd, racking up over 15 million streams on Spotify since. Released under his own label Born to Ball Music Group, the song was produced and written by himself, with Lonzo also receiving a writing credit. Not only that, but G3 is set to perform at Rolling Loud California in March.
LiAngelo last played for the Mexican basketball team Astros de Jalisco in 2024. Before that, he played for the Greensboro Swarm, Los Angeles Ballers and Prienai. He was briefly signed by the Detroit Pistons in late 2020 but waived prior to the start of the 2020 season. As for his brothers, Lonzo plays for the Chicago Bulls and LaMelo plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard, who raps under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A., recently praised LiAngelo for his new song. “I rock with it, man,” he said “I’ve been hearing it a lot, it gives me that 2003, 2004 vibe. I rock with it, like I said, it’s a slapper. And as an artist, you gotta respect other people’s artistry, and when something is going, it’s going.”
He added, “So, like I said, I rock with it, I respect it, and I’m always happy for other people’s success … I’m happy for him, it’s a big record, you’re hearing it everywhere. Much love to him.”