"Melo Ball 1" is a rap single by American professional basketball player Lonzo Ball, featuring singer Kenneth Paige. Released on September 8, 2017, it is Ball's first official song and is about his younger brother LaMelo Ball and his signature Big Baller Brand shoe, the Melo Ball 1 (MB1).[1] A segment of the song first appeared in a video published by SLAM magazine that debuted the MB1 shoes.[2] The song was produced by 80's Baby Entertainment, Inc. under his family-owned record label Big Baller Music Group.[1][3][4]
| "Melo Ball 1" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Lonzo Ball featuring Kenneth Paige | ||||
| Released | September 8, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:29 | |||
| Label | Big Baller Music Group | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Lonzo Ball | |||
| Producer(s) | 80's Baby Entertainment | |||
| Lonzo Ball singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editIn the weeks before releasing "Melo Ball 1", Ball increased his presence in the hip hop community. On Twitter, he claimed that Issa Album by 21 Savage is better than the Jay-Z album 4:44.[5] On his Facebook reality show Ball In The Family, Ball also said, "Don't nobody listen to Nas no more. Real hip-hop is Migos, Future."[6] The comments caused backlash from many hip hop figures, including rapper T.I. and Nas' manager Anthony Saleh.[6] Rapper Lil B tweeted: "Lonzo ball is a few seconds away from being cursed his rookie year on the lakers. [sic]"[5]
On August 31, 2017, a portion of the song was featured in a video by SLAM magazine announcing the release of LaMelo Ball's signature shoe the Melo Ball 1 (MB1) by Big Baller Brand.[7] On September 7, Ball tweeted that he would officially release the debut single in the following day.[3]
Reception
editA month after the song was released, a YouTube video featuring it received more than 5.04 million views.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b Berry, Peter A. (September 8, 2017). "Lonzo Ball Drops Debut Rap Single "Melo Ball 1" Read More: Lonzo Ball Drops Debut Rap Single 'Melo Ball 1'". XXL. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Nelson, Ryne (September 8, 2017). "Lonzo Ball Releases Debut Rap Single 'Melo Ball 1'". SLAM. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ a b Zucker, Joseph (September 7, 2017). "Lonzo Ball Announces He Will Release 1st Rap Single 'Melo Ball 1' on Friday". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Krastz, Roger (September 15, 2017). "Lonzo Ball Has More New Music Dropping on Family-Owned Record Label Read More: Lonzo Ball Has More New Music Dropping on Family-Owned Record Label". XXL. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ a b "Lonzo Ball upsets Lil B for choosing Migos over Nas". ESPN. September 2, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ a b Rollins, Khadrice (September 4, 2017). "Lonzo Ball Says Nas Is 'Outdated' Causing Nas' Manager, Others to Fire Back". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ Calle, Franklyn (August 31, 2017). "LaMelo Ball Debuts The MB1 By Big Baller Brand". SLAM. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "Lonzo Ball - Melo Ball 1 feat. Kenneth Paige (Official Music Video)". YouTube. September 8, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.