You’ve seen the clip. Maybe it was on your TikTok feed at 2 AM or sent to the group chat with a string of fire emojis. A bald, incredibly hyped LeBron James is in the gym, intensely nodding his head, and suddenly he’s rapping along to a beat that sounds like a literal adrenaline shot. The words "boom, boom, boom" hit, and for a second, the internet collectively lost its mind.
But here is the thing: what everyone calls the ba ba ba boom LeBron song isn't actually a song about LeBron. It’s a moment where a legendary athlete and a breakout rap hit collided to create a viral fever dream. If you're looking for the track that had King James looking like he was ready to run through a brick wall, you're looking for "First Day Out" by Tee Grizzley.
The Story Behind the Hype
Let’s go back to June 2017. The Cleveland Cavaliers had just lost the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors. Most people would be sulking on a beach in Cabo. Not LeBron. He posted a video to Instagram that changed the trajectory of a young Detroit rapper's life.
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In the video, LeBron is shaved bald—a look that stunned fans at the time—and he’s aggressively rapping the lyrics: "Take his head off his shoulders, boom, boom, boom!" It wasn't just a workout video; it was a vibe. It was raw. It felt like we were seeing a side of LeBron that wasn't polished by Nike or the NBA PR machine.
Honestly, the impact was nearly instant. Tee Grizzley later told XXL that his record sales tripled almost overnight because of that one post. That’s the "LeBron Effect" in its purest form. When the "ba ba ba boom" part hits, it’s actually Tee Grizzley rapping about his release from prison and his newfound freedom, but in the hands of LeBron, it became the ultimate "getting back to work" anthem.
Why Does Everyone Call It the Ba Ba Ba Boom Song?
It’s kinda funny how the internet renames things. People rarely search for "Tee Grizzley First Day Out LeBron video." Instead, they search for the sounds they remember. The rhythmic "ba ba ba boom" or "boom boom boom" section is the auditory hook that stuck.
The Lyrics That Caught Fire
The specific part of the song LeBron was shouting along to goes:
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"On parole I'm a felon you think I ain't got that blower / Yeah, you right bro take his head off his shoulders boom boom boom / You hear me?"
It’s aggressive, sure. But in the context of a sports workout, it’s about dominance. LeBron has a long history of being the NBA’s unofficial A&R. He listens to everything early—Kendrick, Drake, Nipsey Hussle—but this Tee Grizzley moment felt different because of the timing. It was the "Villain LeBron" era starting to brew again.
The Other "LeBron Song" Confusion
Wait, it gets more complicated. If you are searching for a song where someone is literally singing "LeBron, LeBron, LeBron James" in a smooth, soulful R&B voice, you’re thinking of something entirely different.
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In early 2025, as LeBron was nearing his 50,000th career point, a creator named Vincent Jordan (not to be confused with any other famous Jordans) made a tribute. He didn't have a lot of lyrics. He just sang the man’s name over a beat he found on BandLab. It was simple, soulful, and weirdly catchy.
That version—the "LeBron, LeBron, LeBron James" R&B tribute—went viral on TikTok and even reached LeBron’s youngest son, Bryce. LeBron himself laughed about it in interviews, admitting he’s not on TikTok but his kids show him everything. So, depending on which corner of the internet you live in, the ba ba ba boom LeBron song is either a gritty Detroit rap anthem or a soulful tribute to the King's longevity.
Why This Moment Still Matters
We see athletes listen to music every day. Why did this one stick?
- Authenticity: It didn't look like a paid partnership. LeBron looked like he genuinely loved the song.
- The Look: The shaved head. The intensity. It looked like a transformation.
- The Rhythm: The "boom boom boom" fits perfectly with a heartbeat or a basketball dribble. It’s built for sports edits.
Basically, the "ba ba ba boom" sound became a template. Since 2017, thousands of high school and college athletes have used that exact audio for their highlight reels. It’s the universal sound of "I’m about to do something big."
How to Find the Right Track
If you want to add this to your workout playlist, don't search for "ba ba ba boom." You won't find the high-quality version that way.
- For the Gym Hype: Search for "First Day Out" by Tee Grizzley. The "boom" part happens about midway through the song when the beat finally drops and the energy shifts from a story to a sprint.
- For the TikTok Meme: Search for "LeBron LeBron LeBron James" by Vincent Jordan (sometimes credited as Okayspade).
What You Should Do Next
If you're a content creator or just a fan trying to recreate that 2017 energy, don't just use the audio. The reason LeBron’s video worked was the energy.
Go find the "First Day Out" official video on YouTube to see the original context. It’s a masterclass in tension and release. If you're building a sports highlight reel, time your biggest dunks or plays to the third "boom." That’s the secret sauce that editors have been using for years to get those "Discover" views.
Honestly, it’s pretty wild that a 20-second gym clip from years ago still drives thousands of searches every month. It just goes to show that when LeBron James likes a song, it doesn't just go viral—it becomes part of the culture.