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LSU Tigers guard Flau'jae Johnson says basketball and music have always been her passions. In fact, both are so intertwined in her life that it's become a habit.
Johnson, who has been rapping since she was seven, is in her third season with the Tigers. Under head coach Kim Mulkey, she's reached the peak of hoops success. Her resumé includes noteworthy honors, including First-Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year. It also has one massive achievement ― 2023 national champion.
Ahead of March Madness 2025, Johnson is taking her lifelong talents to the booth, launching a new song called "What It Takes" with Powerade. The song and its accompanying music video, produced by Lyrical Lemonade, celebrate perseverance, passion and pushing past limits.
"We've been partnered for a very long time," Johnson told For The Win. "It's kind of easy when it's something that you do on a day-to-day basis. I've been drinking Powerade since I was a little kid. So, it kind of was a dream to me."
With the NCAA tournament just days away, For The Win caught up with Johnson to discuss shattering expectations while managing successful basketball and music careers, Kim Mulkey's best advice, and what "Big Fo' energy" actually means beyond the court.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
That's something I'm kind of working on ... I never really stop and kind of appreciate where I am, and I need to do that more. Most definitely need to sit down and do that more.
But, you know, the people around me kind of just help me slow down and be like, "You know, you've done a lot. Like, you got to give yourself grace..." I feel like, all the time, I'm not doing enough. You know what I'm saying? So, I've been trying to fight that battle in my head.
I get a lot of backlash because [of] both of my worlds. People don't want them to coexist together. And it's like if I'm doing music ― she's not focused enough for basketball or something like this ... You're never going to be enough for anybody, so you have to just be enough for yourself...
I'm not the type of person that really, like, goes to social media and does all [of] that. But I felt like in that moment, it was necessary, and the post resonated with so many people. So, it was definitely worth it.
Oh, it's like this little quote. She said, "Today, I gave all I had, and what I kept, I lost forever."
I think it's just like going out there and give 100% every time. Because what do you gain by keeping it? ... So, that's one of the most important things I think that she ever taught me. "I gave all I had because what I kept I lost forever" because we don't really get that back. You don't get to do overs. You don't get none of that. So, you gotta go out there and go hard every time.
That was actually his idea. We took those in December, and I just wanted to do Christmas pictures, and then he wanted to do like pictures with us in our jerseys and stuff like that. And it wasn't supposed to be Love & Basketball, but while we were taking pictures, it kind of just morphed into that.
FTW: How does he support your music career?
He definitely is very supportive. He's very proud of everything I've done ― I've accomplished. He always tells me that he's proud of me for doing it because he sees all the late hours and the early mornings and things like that. So, he's really great.
That's crazy. Love & Basketball is a classic. It's a little toxic, but it's definitely a classic.
I don't know where this is coming from. This new generation, man. They can't handle the classics. It is a toxic movie, but … it's a classic. It's one of my favorite movies growing up. I used to watch it all the time.
It's like "Big Fo'" energy. It's like you at your most confident self. That's how I would explain "Big Fo'." It's like me at my biggest state. I'm not Flau'jae anymore. I'm someone way bigger because my confidence is at an all-time high.
So, I feel like everybody could be a "Big Fo'" in their own lane ... You just gotta have that energy. That confidence gotta be at, like, 1,000. Wherever you are at your best, that's "Big Fo. '"
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Q&A: Flau'jae Johnson defies expectations with 2 successful careers
Continue reading...
Johnson, who has been rapping since she was seven, is in her third season with the Tigers. Under head coach Kim Mulkey, she's reached the peak of hoops success. Her resumé includes noteworthy honors, including First-Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year. It also has one massive achievement ― 2023 national champion.
Ahead of March Madness 2025, Johnson is taking her lifelong talents to the booth, launching a new song called "What It Takes" with Powerade. The song and its accompanying music video, produced by Lyrical Lemonade, celebrate perseverance, passion and pushing past limits.
"We've been partnered for a very long time," Johnson told For The Win. "It's kind of easy when it's something that you do on a day-to-day basis. I've been drinking Powerade since I was a little kid. So, it kind of was a dream to me."
With the NCAA tournament just days away, For The Win caught up with Johnson to discuss shattering expectations while managing successful basketball and music careers, Kim Mulkey's best advice, and what "Big Fo' energy" actually means beyond the court.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
How do you stop to celebrate yourself after such a monumental year that included NIL deals, an ESPY's performance, and more?
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That's something I'm kind of working on ... I never really stop and kind of appreciate where I am, and I need to do that more. Most definitely need to sit down and do that more.
But, you know, the people around me kind of just help me slow down and be like, "You know, you've done a lot. Like, you got to give yourself grace..." I feel like, all the time, I'm not doing enough. You know what I'm saying? So, I've been trying to fight that battle in my head.
What inspired you to share your truth and be more vulnerable recently?
(@flaujae)I get a lot of backlash because [of] both of my worlds. People don't want them to coexist together. And it's like if I'm doing music ― she's not focused enough for basketball or something like this ... You're never going to be enough for anybody, so you have to just be enough for yourself...
I'm not the type of person that really, like, goes to social media and does all [of] that. But I felt like in that moment, it was necessary, and the post resonated with so many people. So, it was definitely worth it.
Let's talk some basketball. What is one piece of advice from Kim Mulkey that you'll never forget?
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Oh, it's like this little quote. She said, "Today, I gave all I had, and what I kept, I lost forever."
I think it's just like going out there and give 100% every time. Because what do you gain by keeping it? ... So, that's one of the most important things I think that she ever taught me. "I gave all I had because what I kept I lost forever" because we don't really get that back. You don't get to do overs. You don't get none of that. So, you gotta go out there and go hard every time.
We also have some fun questions. Whose idea was it for you and your boyfriend to take Love & Basketball-inspired photos?
That was actually his idea. We took those in December, and I just wanted to do Christmas pictures, and then he wanted to do like pictures with us in our jerseys and stuff like that. And it wasn't supposed to be Love & Basketball, but while we were taking pictures, it kind of just morphed into that.
FTW: How does he support your music career?
He definitely is very supportive. He's very proud of everything I've done ― I've accomplished. He always tells me that he's proud of me for doing it because he sees all the late hours and the early mornings and things like that. So, he's really great.
Do you think Love & Basketball is a good movie, or is it trash and as toxic as people say?
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That's crazy. Love & Basketball is a classic. It's a little toxic, but it's definitely a classic.
I don't know where this is coming from. This new generation, man. They can't handle the classics. It is a toxic movie, but … it's a classic. It's one of my favorite movies growing up. I used to watch it all the time.
People often refer to you as "Big Fo'". How would you explain that nickname to someone who's never heard it?
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It's like "Big Fo'" energy. It's like you at your most confident self. That's how I would explain "Big Fo'." It's like me at my biggest state. I'm not Flau'jae anymore. I'm someone way bigger because my confidence is at an all-time high.
So, I feel like everybody could be a "Big Fo'" in their own lane ... You just gotta have that energy. That confidence gotta be at, like, 1,000. Wherever you are at your best, that's "Big Fo. '"
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Q&A: Flau'jae Johnson defies expectations with 2 successful careers
Continue reading...
