Flau’Jae Johnson isn’t a girl who can do both; she’s an up-and-coming multitalented artist who can do it all, or at least anything she sets her mind to. From the basketball court to the stage, the rapper who goes by her first name only lists her accomplishments in her latest music video, “Came Out A Beast,” featuring Lil Wayne.
While she is on her impressive America’s Got Talent The Golden Buzzer audition was a turning point for her confidence in her career, and the New Orleans rap legend’s performance validated her ambitions beyond her reality show dreams.
“God first,” says the 20-year-old to VIBE during an afternoon Zoom chat last month. “I’m talented, but I work hard. I’ve just been doing this for so long that it’s not for me anymore. I’ve been getting up at 5:00 a.m. since I was in high school, and my work ethic has always been there. So nothing is ever too much for me… I like to call myself an executioner because I plan, execute, and make it happen.”
That focused agility is evident in the Terrius Mykel-directed video, which features her longtime New Orleans collaborator and Flau’Jae’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey and her Louisiana State University teammates Sa’Myah Smith, Last-Tear Poa, Mjracle Sheppard, Aalyah Del Rosario and Jersey Wolfenbarger, as well as nods to LSU alumni Shaquille O’Neal, Joe Burrow and Sha’Carri Richardson.
“But this was personalized for me,” she says of the Weezy feature. “He just showed great love and really enjoyed the music. It showed because even when we were shooting the video, he knew all the words to my verse and it was crazy because I wanted that stamp of approval. I really got the biggest stamp of all time.”
The coveted trophy that the LSU Tigers won in 2023 after winning the NCAA women’s basketball championship with a 102-85 victory over Iowa is also featured in the clip. This first victory for the franchise was a key factor in the success of “Came Out A Beast.”
“After we won the championship, Lil Wayne was on ESPN and Sue Bird asked him, ‘When are you going to do something with Flau’Jae?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, man, we’re going to make it happen.’ After he said that, I texted him. I sent him the song. It probably took him about three months to send it back,” she detailed.
She then explained how she remained patient until the final product came out, and continued: “As I continued, Swaying in the morning and I did the six-foot freestyle and I had the Lil Wayne shirt on and everything. So I knew that was going to go viral out there. He was going to see it. Right after I did that, he sent me the verse back. Man, it was crazy. It was like all my wildest dreams had just come true.”
Flau’Jae Johnson attends the third annual Monster Energy Big3 Celebrity Game at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on August 18, 2024.
Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Idol Roc Entertainment
“Came Out A Beast” comes from Flau’Jae’s latest project, The best of both worlds. The mixtape, released in June 2024, features nine tracks featuring her “dog” NLE Choppa, 2Rare and, of course, Lil Wayne. The rapper hopes to expand the project with a deluxe version and additional music videos.
“I try to be as authentic as possible and as vulnerable as possible because people can really relate to that,” said the Georgia native about her work. “I’ve received a lot of messages from my fans about my music. Every time I have to smile.”
She continued, “We used to listen to music and feel something. That’s what I want to give back to hip-hop.”
Flau’jae Johnson performs onstage during the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theater on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Image
When she’s not writing raps or playing Fortnite with her brothers, the college athlete is gearing up for a busy fall. Flau’Jae will begin another year at LSU and return to the field for kickoff against Eastern Kentucky on November 4, 2024.
“Basketball season is upon us again, I need to focus. I need to prepare for the season, prepare myself mentally. That’s what my mind and focus is. This summer has been all about music, releasing my music, promoting it, touring. Now I’m ready to focus again and enjoy my season because I’m in my third year already. Time flies, so I’m ready to soak it all in,” she concluded.
Until then, you can watch the music video for “Came Out A Beast” above and The best of both worlds below.
