PHOENIX– Balancing two jobs is a common reality for many people. Seattle Storm rookie Flau’jae Johnson is one of those people, but her two jobs are quite different than the average person’s.
As a signee to Jay Z’s Hip Hop label Roc Nation and being an integral part of Seattle’s young core, managing both has been a challenge. Although she was a hip-hop star during her time with LSU, her initiatives have changed. As soon as the Lady Tigers’ season concluded, she leaped into the next level, where the Storm traded for Johnson during the 2026 WNBA Draft.
It was a move that still leaves many stunned, but that wasn’t a concern for her. All that mattered was getting to the next level. Averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 27 minutes of action is impressive, despite the inefficiencies.
“For me, it’s more so the mental. I’m learning something that I’ve learned for four years, and I’m trying to learn this in like two weeks before we start playing,” Johnson said exclusively to ClutchPoints before Saturday’s game.
“So, I think it’s just that adjustment period, and I’m learning more about the mental side. I like to work, work, work, work, work, but I’m also learning to like rest and like do mental work and have mental rests because we play so many games.”
Flau’jae Johnson’s passion outside of basketball
WNBA players have many endeavors outside of basketball. For instance, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is getting into play-by-play commentary for respective NBA and WNBA games. Atlanta Dream all-star Allisha Gray owns and operates a Wings N Burgers Factory franchise in Georgia.
Johnson, however, is the first of her kind. No one has been a rapper and been in the WNBA, let alone do both at a high level. Although her emcee skills haven’t been as sharp as she would like, she understands what’s important.
Why hip-hop, though?
Her father, the legendary Jason “Camouflage” Johnson, was a well-respected Southern hip-hop artist. Only six months before his daughter was born, he was killed outside his Pure Pain Records Studio in Savannah, Georgia.
Music is her way to reminisce about what could’ve been the relationship between father and daughter, but it also shines a light on her father’s legacy.
In her own way, she took rapping and ran with it, so much so that she went on Season 13 of America’s Got Talent and performed an original track titled “Put Your Guns Down.”
Following her performance, she received the Golden Buzzer, earning her an automatic spot in the competition, and she advanced all the way to the quarterfinals.
Her flow has her father’s Southern flair mixed with a lyricism she told ClutchPoints is inspired by J. Cole. Listening to songs like “Woah” and “Big Stepper” makes sense.
Storm rookie Flau’jae Johnson is making history
She’s the first WNBA player to have a legitimate rapping career. Honoring her father’s legacy is crucial, but a creative outlet for herself is equally important. Being signed to Roc Nation is a milestone, too. Her inspiration, J. Cole, is signed to the label, as are female artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Rapsody.
Talent recognizes talent, and that is what has transpired with her rapping career. Going from America’s Got Talent in 2018 to landing a record deal is an accomplishment that full-time artists hope to achieve, let alone ones who have a primary career.
With Johnson’s basketball life being extremely routine and regimen-oriented, it can leave her feeling stuck in a wash, rinse, and repeat cycle. Rapping provides the creativity that her psyche itches for.
“I feel like in basketball I try to have so much structure, so with music I’m more free, you know what I mean?” Johnson explained. “I’m kind of learning that from different people.
“Even on y’all team (Phoenix Mercury), like Marta Suarez, I hung out with her, and she was just painting, you know what I’m saying? We were just like really creating and having fun. I was like, ‘Wow, outside of basketball, having that outlet is important.'”
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