GOOD NEWS: Flau’jae Johnson and Lil Wayne collaborate on their debut EP.

Flau’jae Johnson had ambitions to launch a music career along with her ascent to fame on the court at LSU. On Friday, she made a significant stride in that direction.

Johnson’s debut album, Best of Both Worlds, was made available on Friday morning. The nine-track EP, which can be found on all streaming services, has a song called “Came Out A Beast” that was co-written with Lil Wayne.

Johnson recently told On3’s Talia Goodman that balancing her basketball career with her music and NIL endeavors is a part of her ambition to establish her brand. Johnson attended LSU. She’s grown to be one of the most well-known female basketball players in the nation, and she’s currently making even more money in the music industry.

“I take determining the value for NIL deals very seriously,” Johnson declared. “My deals totaling approximately $4.5 million across my music career and brand endorsements provide a significant indicator of my market value.

“Although I continue to actively engage in understanding this value, I largely rely on my team of advisors—including my legal counsel—to craft agreements that fairly represent my value. To assess opportunities, they use market trends, my performance indicators, and the influence of my own brand.

Johnson is ranked #1 in the On3 College Women’s Basketball NIL Ranking with an On3 NIL Valuation of $1.2 million and 3.4 million social media followers, including 1.9 million on Instagram. In addition, she is placed No. 15 in the On3 NIL 100, a de facto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and collegiate athletes based on their On3 NIL Valuation. This is the first of its kind.

Since coming at LSU in 2022, Johnson has notably established partnerships in the NIL market with Powerade, The Athletes Foot, and PUMA. But she made a lasting impression on the floor, solidifying her place in Baton Rouge’s future. Her averages from the previous season were 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.1 steals, and 50% from the field and 38% from three-point range.

Following a national championship in 2023 and an Elite Eight participation the previous season, Johnson and Aneesah Morrow are certain to be vital members of the LSU team, especially with Angel Reese heading to the WNBA with the Chicago Sky and Hailey Van Lith now at TCU. Johnson said that maintaining a happy attitude is crucial when managing her social media presence and expanding her business.

Johnson stated, “It’s important for me to stay connected with my fans and the community, so I do check my social media accounts.” But putting up with trolls and hate speech is a part of being in the spotlight. I learnt how to manage and avoid hate and trolls a long time ago since I grew up in front of the media and on TV. I concentrate on remaining upbeat and loyal to my principles.