Louisiana State University women’s basketball star and rapper Flau’jae Johnson announced that she will perform at the 2024 Espy Awards. The versatile athlete and rapper has overcome many milestones to get this far.
“Most college students. They practice. They eat. They study and go to bed. Flau’jae’s just getting started when practice on the court is over,” LSU head coach Kim Mulkey said. “If you ever go into her dorm room, you’re just going to be witnessing what she does. She starts creating … and she’s very good at it. I always watch her on the floor to see if she gets fatigued sooner than maybe I think she should because I know what she’s doing when she leaves here. She is in her dorm room thinking of the next thing she wants to produce.”
The ESPY Awards highlight the outstanding athlete performances throughout the year. Many athletes and celebrities come from all over to be at the Espys award ceremony. While also raising money for the V foundation, in honor of the late Jimmy Valvano, a hall of fame coach and broadcaster. The awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California and will be streamed on Thursday, July 11th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
In 2017, Johnson was a contestant on Jermaine Dupri’s “The Rap Game”, where she caught the attention of many fans with her stellar lyrics and performances.
She has also been a contestant on America’s Got Talent where she received the golden buzzer. Stepping into her father Jason “Camoflaujae” Johnson’s shoes early to carry his torch of rapping.
“I feel like his legacy was cut short, it was taken from him,” Johnson explained. “That’s why sometimes I feel like it’s my duty to finish what he started”.
While rapping, Johnson has continued to dominate college basketball at the Division 1 level. Last year, Flau’jae was crucial to the NCAA Tournament Championship win over Iowa.
“I know people are going to discredit me because I rap and I hoop.” Flau’jae Johnson explained in a post-game interview with Holly Rowe. “I know I gotta go extra hard, so that’s what I do. I’m in the gym.”
Throughout the 2023-24 season, according to ESPN; Johnson averaged 14 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists. Nonetheless, Flau’jae was a strong force for the Tigers and helped lead the team to their 36-6 finish.
After recently dropping “Best of both worlds”, her debut album that includes a song with Lil Wayne. Johnson will begin her junior season as the 2024 through 2025 seasons starts in November.
Kierra Richardson is a Journalism student at Ohio State University desiring to work in sports media.
