Billboard

Gelo became an overnight rap sensation when “Tweaker” dropped, and today, he exclusively reveals to Billboard the star feature on the “Tweaker” Remix. He shares how his hit came to life, why he chose to sign with Def Jam, debuting on the Hot 100, album plans and more!

Michael Saponara:

So we gotta talk about “Tweaker” here. It’s going crazy out here, walk me through how this came together. What was… When you started writing for it and then recording it? Paint that whole picture for us.

Gelo:

I had to, like, I always get, like, a little itch to write. If I feel like that, I go make some songs. Well, I wrote it in the garage, but I was feeling like, a certain way, and then I just got to thinking and writing and sh–. That’s what I came up with, though. But at the end of that, like, I knew that sh– was gonna be great. Like, I was like, wow. 

So you’re like, “This is a hit here.” Right? 

I played it all the way home. I’m like, yeah, “This goes hard.” Like, it’s gonna be it.

So were you sending it out? Does LaVar get to hear it? Does LaMelo hear it? Does Lonzo hear it?

I sent it to Melo and Zo, like, two of my friends, like, nothing. It’s not going to be spreading like that.

Gotcha. And they all thought it was out of here too? 

I do that with all my music, though. I got other songs I like more than “Tweaker,” but it’s coming.

And how long, I guess, before we heard it? Did you write the record and record it?

I wrote that, like three weeks ago.

Oh, wow, so this is all fresh. 

Keep watching for more!

After the devastating Hurst fire impacted the community of Altadena, Calif., in January, The Game heads out to the community of Altadena where he interviews first responders, local high school coaches and more about their survival stories from the Hurst fire. 

Keep watching this Billboard News special to learn more about those impacted.

The Game:

This is some serious… It’s serious business, man, and after this experience, now, when I hear a fire truck coming down the street, I’m pulling over and I’m not annoyed because usually it’s like “agh I got to pull over.”

Firefighter 1:

Over there we have our kitchen.

The Game:

You know I like to eat. Is he a good cook?

Firefighter 2:

The best!

The Game:

So you guys went up?

Firefighter 1:

I mean, I was here the day that everything happened. 

The Game:

Wow. 

Firefighter 1:

It was myself and one of the partners. But unfortunately, he’s not here. 

The Game:

How was that? 

Firefighter 1: 

It was one event where we thought that something was gonna happen and it just led to something way out of our hands.

The Game: 

My like, my hat’s on, but it’s off to you guys, man.

DeAnthony Langston: 

These guys are personal friends of mine. They’re high school coaches here. This is actually Tony’s crib that he grew up in right now. His mom’s crib right there, but all of them have their unique stories about how they were devastated about that right there. But this was a predominantly African American neighborhood, and just to see this is terrible man, and you coming out says a lot about you, man. And so I’d like everybody to introduce themselves and tell them what school you coach at. 

Tim Tucker: 

Not only were these fires big for our basketball program, two of our players lost their homes, but I also have residential treatment centers for kids. So I have group homes for kids. And we lost our girl’s house.

Keep watching for more.

Nicky Jam sits down with Billboard to share details about changing record labels, a new album on the way and more!

Are you excited for Nicky’s new music? Let us know in the comments!

Nicky Jam:
This new album is like a new Nicky Jam. 

Tetris Kelly:
Nicky Jam has changed his record label, and we have the exclusive interview and announcement. 

Leila Cobo:
Nicky, you are switching record labels after a long time with Sony. So where are you going, first of all? 

Nicky Jam:
I’m going to Virgin Records. I went with my gut. I thought it was the best move to do. I have too much respect for AFO, the president of Sony Records, Sony Latin Records. It’s just sometimes you feel like you have to move. You know, it’s nothing personal, you know, it’s a mix of business and something that I just felt in my gut that it was the best move to do. I’m very spontaneous, and it’s just the way I am. I could say just, you know, I’m a bohemian. You know, I take my luggage and I go wherever I have to go, and it’s just the way I am. 

Leila Cobo: 
What were they offering you that you liked, or what did they bring to the table? 

Nicky Jam:
A lot of things, man, family wise, their whole team and the creative part. This corporate way of coming out with music, to kill the buzz of the music, the momentum of the music, you have to wait four, five, six months to come out with a single. With these people at Virgin, I don’t have to wait. If I feel that a song’s gonna be a hit in a moment. They are not gonna mess with my creative part. And they’re gonna say, go ahead and come out. And that’s the way Bad Bunny works.

Keep watching for more!