Shortly after securing a 78-69 win over UCLA in the Sweet 16, Flau’jae Johnson glanced at the UCLA bench and their supporters, probably conveying that the day belonged to the Tigers. With her team’s season on the line, Johnson practically rallied her team to victory, finishing with 24 points and 12 rebounds. The 20-year-old has become a rising sensation who has won people over with her talent and resilience, and behind her remarkable career lies a story of familial ties and tragedy that influenced her path to success.

Not only is Flau’jae Johnson a starting guard for the LSU Tigers but is also a rapper by passion. Flau’jae’s parents, Kia Brooks, and the late Jason Johnson, have been an influential part of her dual career. Jason was a popular rapper from Savannah, Georgia, better known by his stage name, Camoflauge. According to the Daily Tribune, Camoflauge, then 21, was shot in May 2003 while strolling outside Pure Pain Records in Savannah with his toddler son. Tragically, he passed away six months before Flau’jae was born and the case is still unsolved.

Flau’jae’s mother, Kia has supported her throughout the highs and lows of her budding career after Jason passed. In addition to being her daughter’s manager, Kia founded TFNA Entertainment & Sports Management to support her daughter’s creative growth. With 17 NIL deals secured by Flau’jae since 2022, Kia’s efforts have clearly paid off. Kia got married to Ameen Brooks, who became Flau’Jae’s stepfather.

Yadon Moultrie, one of Flau’jae’s three brothers, adds to the close relationship that unites the Johnson family. There’s no doubt that Flau’jae’s dedication, both on and off the basketball court, has been influenced by their unity and triumph experiences.

Rooted to rapping career

Flau’jae has often credited her father for her interest in rapping. In an interview with Savannah Magazine in 2023, Johnson said, “I started off because my father was a rapper. He died before I was born, so he couldn’t really fulfill his dream. So that’s what I’m here to do.” She even performed her song “Guns Down,” which discusses the death of her father, on America’s Got Talent in 2018. Her mother wasn’t too sure about this part of her career though.

After first being apprehensive about her daughter joining the rap scene, Kia soon came to appreciate Flau’jae’s enthusiasm. “I didn’t always encourage it because I was afraid of the rap industry and that it was a reason for his demise,” Kia disclosed in an interview. She did, however, recognize Flau’jae’s potential and gave her permission to play at a Camoflauge annual festival. They get together annually to commemorate Camoflauge’s life, which is evidence of the lasting influence he had on their hearts.

Flau’Jae Johnson starred in Lifetime’s The Rap Game and America’s Got Talent in the past. She now has a distribution agreement with Roc Nation, the entertainment organization owned by Jay-Z! Flau’jae’s journey from young rapping fame seeker to LSU Tigers star is evidence of her determination and unconditional support from her family.

READ MORE “People Gonna Discredit Me”: Flau’Jae Johnson Flaunts Rapping Career After Trashing UCLA in March Madness