For years, LiAngelo Ball was the punchline. While his brothers Lonzo and LaMelo found success on the hardwood and in the NBA spotlight, Gelo often found himself overshadowed, criticized, or doubted. But in 2025, those jokes have stopped. Now known in the music world as GELO, LiAngelo is proving he’s not just a baller — he’s a bona fide rap star.
GELO’s highly anticipated debut album League Of My Own drops this Friday, July 18, via Def Jam, and the hype is real. The album’s rollout has already been impressive: from pre-save links lighting up Apple Music and Spotify to confirmed performances at major music and sports events. With the music world watching, GELO is stepping up to silence critics and show he can dominate a lane of his own.
The buzz really started with “Tweaker,” a high-energy, gritty single that quickly gained traction across social media and music platforms. The success of that track opened the floodgates. GELO followed it up with “Booted Up,” “Law N Order,” and “Can You Please” — the latter featuring Memphis rap star GloRilla. All four tracks now appear on League Of My Own, giving fans a taste of what the full project has in store.
The 13-song album is a statement of intent. The full tracklist includes:
- POLLASEEDS
- Tweaker
- Shook Da Game
- Booted Up
- Law N Order
- Humble Abode
- Hold On
- Can You Please (feat. GloRilla)
- Wine N Dine
- Beware Of Dog
- PSA
- Watcha Gon Do
- 1 Deal
Outside of the GloRilla feature, the album looks to be a solo showcase — though some speculate there may be surprise guests when the full album drops.
GELO isn’t just releasing music — he’s bringing his sound to some of the biggest stages. He’s set to perform at the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16 in Los Angeles, joining a lineup that includes hip-hop icons Clipse, Busta Rhymes, and Tobe Nwigwe. It’s a rare crossover moment that highlights just how much momentum GELO is carrying into his debut.
Earlier this year, he also took the Rolling Loud Cali stage in Inglewood, delivering a high-energy set that drew strong reactions from the crowd. No longer seen as the Ball brother trying to keep up, GELO is carving a niche entirely his own.
Of course, success comes with its share of controversy. GELO’s recent back-and-forth with Cam’ron has drawn attention, with the veteran rapper throwing subtle jabs after GELO took issue with critiques about his basketball past. Now that music is the battleground, both artists are letting their lyrics do the talking.
Adding to the intrigue, GELO’s personal life continues to make headlines. Reports of romantic drama have swirled online, but if anything, the added press only seems to drive more attention toward his music.
And it’s paying off. As a 2025 XXL Freshman, GELO is turning viral fame into real industry clout. He’s part of a new generation of artists redefining what it means to be a multi-talented public figure — one who doesn’t have to choose between the court and the studio.
Whether or not GELO’s debut lives up to the anticipation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: LiAngelo Ball has officially stepped out of the shadow of his brothers. With League Of My Own, he’s betting on himself — and the world is finally watching.
This Friday, all eyes and ears will be on GELO. From mocked hooper to respected rapper, he’s ready to show the world that this is his league now.
