LiAngelo Robert Ball, also known as Gelo, is an American rapper and former professional basketball player. After a series of challenges in his basketball career, including a shoplifting incident that ended his tenure at UCLA, he found viral success in the music industry. He is the middle brother of NBA players Lonzo and LaMelo Ball.

Family: Born in Anaheim, California on November 24, 1998, Ball is the second son of LaVar Ball and Tina Ball, both former college basketball players.

Education: As part of the highly publicized Ball family, he gained national attention playing for Chino Hills High School with his brothers, where he won a state championship as a junior.

UCLA Incident: His path to the NBA was derailed in 2017 when he was indefinitely suspended from the UCLA basketball program after he and two teammates were arrested for shoplifting in China.

Post-UCLA: He subsequently played professionally in Lithuania for Prienai in 2018 and for his father’s Junior Basketball Association (JBA).

G League: Despite several attempts, he never made an NBA roster but played in the NBA G League for the Greensboro Swarm from 2021 to 2023.

Retirement from Basketball: After a brief stint with the Astros de Jalisco in Mexico in early 2024, he confirmed his retirement from basketball in August 2025 to focus on his rap career.

Music career

Viral Single: Ball found immense success with his debut single “Tweaker,” released in January 2025. The song went viral, with many comparing its sound to 2000s Southern hip-hop. A remix featuring Lil Wayne was released in February 2025.

Record Deal: Following the success of “Tweaker,” he signed a multi-million dollar record deal with Def Jam Recordings in January 2025. The deal is reportedly worth up to $13 million with an $8 million guarantee and gives him full ownership of his music.

Debut Album: In July 2025, he released his debut studio album, League of My Own, under Def Jam.

Performances: He has appeared at major music festivals, including Rolling Loud California in March 2025.

Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year: In September 2025, Billboard named him its Hip-Hop Rookie of the Year.

Personal life Family: He is the son of LaVar and Tina Ball and the middle brother of NBA players Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball.

Divorce: In July 2025, Ball filed for divorce from his wife, influencer Rashida Nicole, just days after she announced her pregnancy on social media.

Former Partner: He previously dated reality TV star Nikki Mudarris from “Love & Hip-Hop: Hollywood”.

Reality TV: He appeared with his family on the Facebook Watch reality series, Ball in the Family.

Net Worth and Earnings: LiAngelo Ball has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

Following the success of his viral single “Tweaker” in early 2025, LiAngelo Ball’s wealth increased significantly after he signed a record deal with Def Jam.

Def Jam record deal earnings

Deal Value: In January 2025, Ball signed a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group reportedly worth up to $13 million.

Guaranteed Money: The deal included a guaranteed amount of $8 million.

Ownership of Masters: A key component of the deal was that Ball retained full ownership of his master recordings and his own record label, Born2Ball Music Group.

Other sources of earnings Streaming Royalties: As of February 2025, Billboard estimated that his hit song “Tweaker” had generated approximately $640,000 from over 90 million streams.

Live Performances: Ball performed at the Rolling Loud festival in March 2025, and his debut headline show sold out in Chicago in October 2025.

Real Estate: In 2021, he purchased a mansion in Chino Hills, California, for a reported $3 million.

Facebook Reality Show: The Ball family’s reality series, Ball in the Family, aired on Facebook Watch from 2017 to 2020 and paid the family millions of dollars annually.

Other Ventures: Before his rap success, he had earnings from playing in the NBA G League and had a signature shoe with his father’s company, Big Baller Brand.

Disputed net worth claims: In early 2025, Ball appeared on the Complex show 360 with Speedy Morman and disputed online reports claiming his net worth was $800,000, calling the figure his “high school net worth”. While he did not reveal his current net worth, he indicated that it was significantly higher.

Born on August 14, 2001, Jacquan Andrews, known professionally as Nino Paid, is an American rapper from Landover, Maryland. He is recognized for his introspective and vulnerable lyrics delivered over a backdrop of DMV crank beats, a regional subgenre known for its aggressive drums. 

Early life and upbringing: Foster care; when he was around four years old, Andrews and his three siblings entered the foster care system in the D.C. area, where they experienced homelessness, abuse, and violence.

Adoption: After years in the foster care system, he and his younger sister were adopted by a construction worker and a religious mother, whom he considers a “saint”. Juvenile detention: In his teens, he was repeatedly arrested for burglaries and spent time in juvenile detention in Philadelphia, where he earned his GED.

Education: He enrolled in Prince George’s Community College after being released, but dropped out during his first semester.

Musical career: He began rapping at age 8 and recorded his first song under the name Zeal at age 14, but took a hiatus before re-emerging as Nino Paid in 2022.

Breakthrough: His breakout single, “Pain & Possibilities,” released in 2023, gained traction on Reddit and led to a distribution deal with Signal Records, a label associated with Columbia Records.

Major releases: 2024: Released his debut studio album, Can’t Go Bacc. 2025: Released his second studio album, Love Me as I Am.

Touring and recognition: He performed at the 2025 Summer Smash festival and was named to the 2025 XXL Freshman List.

Personal narratives: He raps about his traumatic past and turbulent experiences with brutal honesty.

Crank influence: His sound is rooted in the DMV crank subgenre, with a gentler approach to the beats.

Confessional tone: His music is ruminative and somber, often balancing painful memories with a natural sense of hope.

Legal issues July 2025 Arrest: Nino Paid was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Maryland on charges of vehicle theft but was released the next day.

Net worth: Nino Paid has an estimated net worth of $1 million.

Source of income

Record deal: In 2023, he signed a distribution deal with Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records and an imprint of Sony Music. This deal provides him with a portion of his earnings from album sales and streaming royalties.

Streaming revenue: His music has accumulated millions of streams across platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.

Concerts and appearances: His appearances at festivals, such as the 2025 Summer Smash, and other performances also generate income.

Royalties: He earns royalties from various sources, including publishing, mechanical, and performance royalties.

Initial social media popularity: He has stated that he initially invested a small amount of money into Instagram ads to build his fanbase, which ultimately led to his breakthrough.

Born on April 9, 2001 Melanie Doyle, widely known as Mello Buckzz, is an American drill rapper and songwriter from the East Side of Chicago. She is known for her raw lyricism and uncompromising presence in the Midwest hip-hop scene. 

Early life and career: Mello Buckzz began her journey into music by observing her brothers in the studio, starting her own rapping career in 2020 and releasing her first song, “Riley,” that summer.

Chicago Roots: She is from the East Side of Chicago, the same neighborhood as fellow rapper G Herbo. Her roots in the “No Limit” neighborhood are reflected in her music.

Education: Mello Buckzz attended Curie Metro High School and Dyett High School for the Arts.

Breakout Tracks: Her rise to fame includes viral tracks like “Boom (Mouskatool)” and the even more successful “Boom Pt. 2,” which featured a significant collaboration with Atlanta rapper Latto in 2023.

Industry Recognition: Her work has been spotlighted by publications like Pitchfork, and she has millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.

Albums and Collaborations: She has released several projects, including the EP Hollyhood in July 2025. She has collaborated with artists like Latto, Murda B, and G Herbo, as well as being featured on G Herbo’s mixtape Strictly 4 My Fans 2.

Personal life and controversies: In 2023, Mello Buckzz pleaded guilty to assaulting another rapper and was sentenced to three years of probation.

Tragic Shooting: In July 2025, a drive-by shooting occurred outside her album release party in Chicago, leaving four people dead and 14 injured. The rapper herself is believed to have been the target. Among the deceased were her boyfriend, Devonte Williamson, and a childhood friend, Leon Andrew Henry.

Grief and Tributes: Following the incident, she took to Instagram to mourn the loss of her boyfriend and close friends, expressing her heartbreak publicly.

Maturity: Despite her young age and the tragic events surrounding her career, she is noted for her maturity on the field.

Musical style: Mello Buckzz is known for her authentic drill style, raw lyrics, and honest storytelling. Her music often reflects her life experiences and Chicago roots. She possesses a “star quality” and is seen as a potential leader for female artists in Chicago’s drill scene.

Net Worth and Earnings: With music streaming on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, plus electrifying live performances, Mello Buckzz has built an impressive estimated net worth of $1 million – not bad for the rising star!

Potential sources of income: Music sales and streaming; Mello Buckzz earns royalties from her music on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Her track “Boom Pt. 2” with Latto has accumulated millions of streams on platforms like Spotify and YouTube.

Live Performances: Her career includes performing live shows and possibly touring, which can be a significant source of income for rappers.

Record Deals: As her career advances, she may have signed record deals that include advances and royalty structures. Her collaboration with Latto suggests high-level industry connections that could lead to lucrative deals.

Features: Mello Buckzz has been featured on tracks with other artists, including G Herbo’s mixtape Strictly 4 My Fans 2. Features can generate income and increase exposure.

Brand Partnerships: Her strong social media presence can also earn money through endorsements and sponsorships.