“Basketball’s been in my blood since day one,” shared Lil Wayne. Coming from a rapping king, that’s a huge statement, but it’s true. And that’s why, when Wayne, a Louisiana native, got an opportunity to support LSU with his rap, he teamed up with Kim Mulkey and Flau’jae Johnson to drop the mesmerizing song “Came Out a Beast.” But what if we told you that collaboration was more than just a musical banger?

When FJ collaborated with Lil Wayne nine months ago, it was a huge accomplishment, since the song became a massive hit with over 2.8 million views. But beyond that achievement, it was an opportunity where Johnson got a glimpse of the footsteps she needed to follow. After all, having a net worth of $170 million is no easy feat, but the LSU guard knows what makes Lil Wayne’s personality so iconic.

So, when the rapper delivered his most anticipated album, The Carter VI, Johnson was among the first ones to respond. While posting the album on her Instagram account, she penned, “Legendary.” Well, that was enough to describe the sixth installment of Lil Wayne’s signature musical series, known for its fast rhymes and Dirty South style.

For those unaware, the recent addition is the follow-up to the original Carter album released in 2004. While Wayne followed up with a new project every two to three years, Carter VI had fans waiting for almost seven years. So the anticipation was real. And as evident from Johnson’s words, it was worth it.

After all, Johnson is no stranger to being a rapping sensation herself. Just consider that she’s released more than a dozen tracks over the last five years, starting with her debut single in 2020. And that too with big names such as NLE Choppa, 2Rare, and of course, Lil Wayne, that’s the kind of impact she’s made in the music world. And that’s not all. She even graced the 2024 ESPYs stage as a musical guest. But, honestly, seeing her achieve those heights is not a surprise!

For Flau’jae Johnson, rapping isn’t an ambition, it’s personal!

Flau’jae Johnson isn’t just rapping for fame, she’s rapping for healing. She’s got it in her blood. Well, her father, the late rapper Camoflauge, was tragically shot and killed before she was even born. So, in many ways, music has become her way of keeping his spirit alive, her way of connecting with a man she never got to meet.

And she’s been doing all this since she was a mere 12. She did it for the first time at The Rap Game, a Lifetime reality show where young aspiring rappers showed off their skills to some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Even then, she was electric, earning nods of respect from the likes of Jermaine Dupri, Rick Ross, Da Brat, and Fabolous. But that was just the beginning.

Two years later, at age 14, Flau’jae stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage for Season 13, and poured her heart out through an original song titled “Guns Down”, a tribute to her dad and a plea against gun violence. It was raw, powerful, and deeply personal.

And if you still have a doubt, just read the lyrics.

“And if he would’ve put
That gun down
Then they would’ve been
Here right now” 

Well, as impactful as her words are, there’s no surprise that she got a ticket to the quarterfinals. Though she fell short of the semis, it wasn’t enough to stop her. Ever since, she’s been grinding in both worlds as she says “Best of both worlds” with Flau’Jae. But the path hasn’t always been smooth. Last year, she faced backlash after referencing 9/11 in a remix of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor.” After some tough conversations with LSU’s support staff, she decided to remove the line — a moment that showed not just growth, but maturity. And now? She’s turning dreams into reality. Her latest music is gaining serious momentum.