Flau'jae Johnson rap career, explained: How LSU star is making a name as a musician

David Suggs

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Flau'jae Johnson rap career, explained: How LSU star is making a name as a musician image

With burgeoning careers in hoops and in music, there's nary a dull moment in Flau'jae Johnson's life.

How could there be? The LSU guard is a top athlete who doubles as an up-and-coming rapper, following in the footsteps of legends such as Allen Iverson, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Damian Lillard.

That's good company. And given the quality of artists who have flocked to work with Johnson, her accolades on the stage could very well eclipse those previously mentioned.

And did we mention she's just 20?

Johnson released yet another track during LSU's 2024 March Madness run. "AMF (Ain't My Fault)," which features Memphis rapper NLE Choppa. The song also appears on her debut album, "Best of Both Worlds," which came out on June 28. 

How did Johnson hone her skills on the mic? The Sporting News details Flau'jae Johnson's blossoming music career.

MORE: How much money Flau'jae Johnson makes from Powerade, other sponsors in 2024

Flau'jae Johnson's rap career, explained

Baton Rouge has made numerous contributions to the world of music. Percy Sledge and YoungBoy Never Broke Again are among the notable artists to have called the city their home.

Johnson is a Savannah, Georgia, native, but she's made a second home at LSU, and she's standing on the shoulders of those who have come before her. She's a student of the craft, penning verses since adolescence. She nabbed a co-sign from hip-hop luminaries Queen Latifah and Jermaine Dupri after appearing on season three of "The Rap Game" at age 13.

Johnson has gone from strength to strength in the years since her debut. As a 14-year-old, she appeared on season 13 of "America's Got Talent."

She advanced to the judge cuts after performing her original song — "Guns Down" — about her late father's death at the hands of gun violence. Her father Jason Johnson, a rapper known as Camoflauge, inspired her musical career.

Johnson eventually made a run to the quarterfinals of "America's Got Talent." She even earned herself golden buzzer recognition after performing another original track, entitled "Letdown."

Ultimately, Johnson fell just short of headlining a Las Vegas show, as she was eliminated before the semis.

Nevertheless, she continues to captivate the masses with her confidence and musical prowess.

MORE: Explaining LSU, Kim Mulkey's tumultuous 2024 season

She's released more than a dozen tracks since dropping her first single back in 2020. Her most recent release and debut album "Best of Both Worlds" features big names such as NLE Choppa, 2Rare, and Lil Wayne, highlighting her rise in the world of music in addition to her impact on the women's game.

Two weeks after her album released, Flau'jae took the stage at the 2024 ESPYs as a musical guest. It has also been reported that she is set to take the mic at the Boardroom X Coinbase WNBA All-Star party this weekend. 

It's not all been roses for Johnson, who received backlash after including a bar about 9/11 in a cover of Latto's "Put it On Da Floor" released last year. Johnson removed the lyric from the tune after conversations with LSU's support staff.

If her latest release is any indication, though, the sky is the limit for Johnson. She counts some of rap's grandest acts — including New Orleans legend Lil Wayne — as ardent supporters. Sprinkle in some eye-catching live performances — such as the one Johnson did during Rod Wave's Nostalgia Tour last year — and it seems Johnson's well on her way to rap fame.

For a player with a basketball in one hand and a mic in the other, that's not too shabby.

Flau'jae Johnson lyrics

"Guns Down"

Look, if he would've put
That gun down
Then he would've been
Here right now

And if he would've put
That gun down
Then she would've been
Here right now

And if he would've put
That gun down
Then they would've been
Here right now

If he would've put
That gun down
Listen

Do you know what its like
To not have a father
No one to talk to when
You get mad at your mama

I know you ain't gonna pick up
The phone I still call you
The reason that it hurts so bad
I never saw you

The way my grandma be acting
It got me losing hope
I swear to God I hate to see her
On and off the coke

She said baby girl this is
Just the way I cope
Man, all this weight up
On my shoulders
Trying to stay afloat

But no, I don't want your sympathy
I'm just telling y'all this
Was really really meant
For me, this industry

This is already meant to be
That's why the labels
And the tiki shows
Yeah they keep on hitting me

And mama was struggling
Trying to keep the lights on
And I had some snakes in my grass
Yeah, those pythons

"Paper Right" (Wyclef Jean feat. Flau'jae, Pusha T, Lola Brooke and Capella Grey)

[Chorus: Wyclef Jean & Flau'jae]
Drinks on me, got my paper right (Yeah)
You can hustle too, get your paper right (Yeah)
Long before that diamond, I was in the dark (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Graveyard shift, had to double up

[Post-Chorus: Flau'jae, Wyclef Jean & Lola Brooke]
Now that she sun is shinin', shinin' on me
Everything is up (Everything), everything is up (Everything)
Went from the housing projects, projects, yeah (Yeah)
Now the real estate is up (Yeah, it's up, now we up)
Everything is up (Everything is up, everything)
Mm-hmm

[Verse 1: Lola Brooke]
Team 80 gon' save the game, fulfillin' aches and pain
I'm just comin' off of Section 8, it cut deeper than a razor blade
They let me hang for days, you know it's up 'cause I saved the date (Uh-huh)
Financial freedom is so fulfillin' (Frrt)
Generational wealth is what you show the children (Frrt)
I'm in my righteous rhythm, from commentin', I got the right to pin 'em (I got the right to, uh)
But let's focus on the wins, I'm tryna flourish from the flaws
My moms told me that I'm bigger than 'em all, so I took her to the mall
Told her pick up the first thing she saw
I ain't forget, I still gotta change the addy on your door
I got love for the pink and red ribbons (Huh)
Blessed to have health and I'm livin' (Yeah)
And take it personal how they did me (Nah, haha)
I can't forget it, I believe in God, my whole life was written

[Chorus: Wyclef Jean & Flau'jae]
Drinks on me, got my paper right (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
You can hustle too, get your paper right (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Long before that diamond, I was in the dark (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Graveyard shift, had to double up

[Verse 2: Pusha T]
Stood tall on 'em corners
Old ladies warned us, so they ain't have to mourn us
Street lords said, "join us"
You could turn a brick to a Bimmer, here some pointers
Nowadays, I'm ignorin' 'em
Rather build a legacy for my son, that's important for him
Real estate just rewardin' him
Generational wealth, when I'm gone, he's still flourishin'
Everybody ain't applaudin' him
And the money that he stack is every barbershop's argument
My elevator's up, pardon him
When your name ring they start double-edge swordin' him
I don't do much bargaining, so I keep a side hustle for the goals that I'm targetin' (Push)

[Chorus: Wyclef Jean & Flau'jae]
Drinks on me, got my paper right (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
You can hustle too, get your paper right (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Long before that diamond, I was in the dark (Oh-oh, oh, oh-oh)
Graveyard shift, had to double up

[Verse 3: Flau'jae]
Look, I had to get my paper tight, mama need an acre, right
I been workin' 24/7, like I can't waste a night
Warrior, I'm battlin' problems that I can't wait to fight
And the cards that they dealt her, got her takin' flight (Woo)
Modest, I can tell, I keep it real and prevail
And when I had to go fail, they know that I'm rich as hell
Shot callers, this legit, I be knowin' just what to sell
Doin' it for my kids, kids, generational wealth
And lil' ol' me just found a seat with all of the greats
I'm investin' in myself, so it ain't hard to relate
I been a lion, out the jungle, the lightning, that's in the thunder
Inspired the ones that's younger, was tired of bein' under
Yeah, shifts at the graveyard, spend, but I save hard
Porsche is my play car, all of it paid off

[Bridge: Capella Grey]
Everything is up, movin' for us
And my business in order, money stackin' taller
Now Forbes wanna report us
No matter what we do, they gon' wan' speak
But they what they gon' do 'bout we?
Oh, we the vibe in the city, oh

[Outro: Wyclef Jean]
Drinks on me, got my paper right, got my paper right
Drinks on me, got my paper right, got my paper right
Drinks on me, got my paper right

"Why Dey Hatin'"

[Chorus]
Getting green why you hating
Counting checks why you hating
Rolex why you hating, finna flex why you hating
With my team why you hating, Chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting Sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Getting green why you hating,chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating

[Verse 1]
They hate cause they see me on tv
But you pay your cable bill to see me
You hate me me but low-key you need me(why)
Cause my sauce it be dripping so sweetly
Walk right in and hit my dance
We jump right out of a benz
Hit the flau'shake for them fans
Then we do it all over again
Hit it i hit it i jump and split wait woo ha go
I'm am so fresh and you already know
Change up my style like i switched up the flow
(cash me outside how bout that)
Pay me a rack (that's a stack)
You won't get it back (oh no no)
It's wrap on that (it's a wrap on that like woah)

[Chorus]
Getting green why you hating
Counting checks why you hating
Rolex why you hating,finna flex why you hating
With my team why you hating,Chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting Sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Getting green why you hating,chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating

[Verse 2]
Cooking out the booth now my pot hot
Bad and boujee but no crockpot (cook it)
All these weak rappers got a soft spot
I just pulled up in a sling shot skrt skrt
And i'm gone i stay fly like a drone
Want a feature hit my phone
Feel like auto cause i'm in my zone
Get it i get it i just want a milly
One day my watches gone y'all cost tuition's
Killing these beast now that rarely suspicious
First they was sleep now they all pay attention
Why dey hating, why dey hating (why)
Cause i just left Atlantic station
Number one across the nation ( i am)
I'm a legend in the making

[Chorus]
Getting green why you hating
Counting checks why you hating
Rolex why you hating,finna flex why you hating
With my team why you hating,Chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting Sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Why you hating,why you hating i'm so up i'm elevated
Getting green why you hating,chasing dreams why you hating
Shooting sling why you hating,i hit my lean when you hating

"AMF" (feat. NLE Choppa)

[Intro: Flau'jae]
It ain't my fault they gettin' mad, it ain't my fault
Get out your feelings, get a bag, it ain't my fault
Run up a million, I got cash, it ain't my fault
That everything I drop is gas, it ain't my fault (Let's go)

[Chorus: Flau'jae]
I sent that check, I got respect, it ain't my fault (Respect)
I just hopped off of a jet, it ain't my fault (A jet)
Put a Bentley on my neck, it ain't my fault (My neck)
I'ma rookie and a vet, it ain't my fault (A vet)
Oh my God, everything got dropped (Dropped)
Goin' number one, that's the way I rock (Yeah)
Keep on goin' up, they can't say I flopped
I'm the biggest four and it ain't my fault

[Verse 1: Flau'jae]
I walked in so it's up, it ain't my fault
Hella tears in the lobby, it ain't my fault
Bring a friend, yeah, prolly, it ain't my fault (Like prolly)
I want the bands and the Audi
I keep on Pippen like I'm Scotty (Scotty)
I know that they be trippin', paid tuition off a body (A body)
I really get to switchin', water whippin' in the lobby (The lobby)
Look at my wrist, it's trippin', I be trippin' like tsunami (Oh my God, wow)
I'm pullin' up in traffic (Traffic), that cutty automatic ('Matic)
Put it on my wrist, I watch 'em squint, my diamonds dancin' (They dancin')
Know that I'ma jit, I'm on the strip, get off, I'm landin' (I'm landin')
Ballin' like my daddy (My daddy), stuntin' like my daddy (My dad, yeah)

[Chorus: Flau'jae]
I sent that check, I got respect, it ain't my fault (Respect)
I just hopped off of a jet, it ain't my fault (A jet)
Put a Bentley on my neck, it ain't my fault (My neck)
I'ma rookie and a vet, it ain't my fault (A vet)
Oh my God, everything got dropped (Dropped)
Goin' number one, that's the way I rock (Yeah)
Keep on goin' up, they can't say I flopped
I'm the biggest four and it ain't my fault

[Verse 2: NLE Choppa]
Diamonds Fiji
Hard, but I make it look easy
I'm in the lane on my own, ain't nobody I'm needin'
Rollin' window, wavin' bye to the haters while I'm speedin'
Tell 'em ''Catch up, get up'', I hurt that core like a sit up
Ain't got time for nobody, maine, that's what the rich for
Foot on they neck, make 'em hiccup, they was sick, now they sicker
Actin' bad like how people doin', they off the liquor
And my lows, they gon' switch up, now they wantin' a picture
Everybody wantin' check in, get a hotel then
We food over here, from our stomachs to our pockets
It ain't my fault that you ain't gettin' no pay
It ain't my fault that we gon' put it in your face, let's do it

[Chorus: Flau'jae]
I sent that check, I got respect, it ain't my fault (Respect)
I just hopped off of a jet, it ain't my fault (A jet)
Put a Bentley on my neck, it ain't my fault (My neck)
I'ma rookie and a vet, it ain't my fault (A vet)
Oh my God, everything got dropped (Dropped)
Goin' number one, that's the way I rock (Yeah)
Keep on goin' up, they can't say I flopped
I'm the biggest four and it ain't my fault

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.