"First hooper rapper national champion": Flau'jae Johnson shares her mom's dream that motivated her to pursue dual career

Flau'jae Johnson's rapping career took off this summer. Thanks to a little assistance from Sue Bird, she managed to draw in a collaboration with Lil Wayne on her debut album. However, that was not all. Johnson constantly performed at grand stages, like the ESPYs and WNBA All-Star Weekend, increasing her stock with each week.

However, the confidence and stage presence Johnson oozes was not always there. Prior to heading on a dual career journey, the hooper was battling through her fair share of doubt. That was until her mom chipped in.

"It was all my mom," Johnson said on SiriusXM radio. "Ever since I was in high school, she was like 'She's gonna be the first hooper rapper national champion.' And it was like her whole thing and I was like 'Okay, Imma just go with the flow,'" she followed.

Flau'jae Johnson's mom, Kia Brooks, has been a constant supporter of her dreams. She once asked her employer for a three-month hiatus to support Johnson's TV stint during her teenage years.

Moreover, Brooks also spearheaded Johnson's NIL negotiations, landing partnerships with Puma and other big names.

Nevertheless, Flau'jae Johnson also believes luck played a huge factor in her success, citing that she pursued her music dream at the right time.

"But then when stuff started to fall in line, I was like 'Oh this can actually be possible.' Coz I know before me, I was doing music a year before I would have to choose, I wouldn't be able to make money off my music and things like that. So, to come in at the right time, we just kinda put a plan together," she added.

JuJu Watkins was starstruck by Flau'jae Johnson's ESPY performance

JuJu Watkins, last season’s Freshman of the Year and one of the biggest college basketball stars, recently appeared on Johnson’s Best of Both Worlds podcast. In a conversation, the two discussed their mutual presence at the ESPYs.

When Watkins was asked about her favorite moment from the Dolby Theatre event, she tipped her hat to Johnson and her musical acumen.

"Flau'jae performance a must-see," Watkins said. "You killed that performance. I was literally sitting there, I never seen you live. I was sitting there, I'm like 'there's no way this girl is like,' your stage presence is crazy bro," she followed.

Flau'jae Johnson was in the theatre to perform one of her songs from her album. Moreover, she also dapped up JuJu Watkins and Lil Wayne during her performance.