Focused on Another National Championship
LSU star guard Flau’Jae Johnson is putting everything else on pause—her rap career, her podcast, and all off-court ventures—to focus on one thing: winning another NCAA title.
“I’m not focused on my music, I’m not focused on my podcast, I’m not focused on none of (that) stuff. I’m focused on winning the national championship,” Johnson said. “Because if I win the national championship, then I can focus on everything I want to.”
That doesn’t mean her off-court talents have disappeared from the spotlight. Throughout the tournament, Johnson’s voice has been front and center in a Powerade ad campaign, proving that even during March Madness, her presence extends beyond basketball.
Balancing Basketball and Music
Johnson’s music career took off in 2018 when she made it to the quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent. Since then, she’s released her debut album, Best of Both Worlds, and even collaborated with rap legend Lil Wayne.
Her passion for music runs deep, inspired by her late father, rapper Camoflauge. “I do this in honor of him,” Johnson has said about her career in hip-hop.
Beyond music, she’s also made a name for herself in podcasting with Best of Both Worlds, where she interviews top players like USC’s JuJu Watkins and UConn’s Paige Bueckers while discussing basketball, personal life, and everything in between.
LSU Advances to the Elite Eight
On the court, Johnson and the Tigers secured a hard-fought 80-73 win over N.C. State, pushing LSU to the Elite Eight for the third straight year. Next up: a showdown against No. 1 seed UCLA on Sunday.
Johnson has already proven she can deliver in big moments—just last year against UCLA, she dropped 24 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 7-for-11 from the field. Bruins head coach Cori Close knows what her team is up against.
“Talk about someone who’s been great for the game,” Close said of Johnson. “I just really admire how she’s juggled all the different things that she does in life, let alone on the court… Our game is better off for it.”
Handling Pressure Like a Pro
Johnson thrives in high-stakes situations, a skill she says comes from her America’s Got Talent days.
“I feel like (with) pressure, you either break pipes or make diamonds, and I like diamonds,” she said ahead of her 2023 appearance on the show’s reunion special.
For now, her focus is locked in on basketball, but once March Madness is over, fans can expect Johnson to return to making music, hosting interviews, and continuing to build her brand—just as she always has.
