Flau’Jae Flexes Her Wins In “Came Out A Beast” Music Video Feat. Lil Wayne
Flau’Jae Johnson is not a girl who can do both; she’s a multi-talented star on the rise who is capable of doing it all or at least everything she sets out for. From the basketball court to center stage, the rapper, who performs under her first name only, counts these wins in her latest music video “Came Out A Beast” featuring Lil Wayne.
While she references her impressive America’s Got Talent golden buzzer-qualified audition as a turning point for her confidence in her career, the feature from the New Orleans rap legend certified her ambitions beyond reality show dreams.
“God first,” expresses the 20-year-old to VIBE over an afternoon Zoom chat last month. “I’m talented but I do work hard. I’ve just been doing it for so long, it’s not a thing for me anymore. I’ve been waking up at 5:00 AM since I was a freshman in high school and so my work ethic has always been there. So nothing is ever too much for me… I like to call myself an executioner because I plan, I execute, and I make it happen.”
This focused flex is evident in the Terrius Mykel-directed visual which features her senior New Orleans collaborator as well as Flau’Jae’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey, and her Lousiana State University teammates Sa’Myah Smith, Last-Tear Poa, Mjracle Sheppard, Aalyah Del Rosario, and Jersey Wolfenbarger. Additionally, there are nods to LSU alumni Shaquille O’Neal, Joe Burrow, and Sha’Carri Richardson.
“But that one was personalized for me,” she says of the Weezy feature. “He just showed major love and he really enjoyed the music. You could tell because even when we were shooting the video, he knew all the words to my verse and it was crazy because it was like I wanted that stamp of approval. I got the biggest stamp of all time, for real.”
The coveted trophy the LSU Tigers earned in 2023 after winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with a 102-85 victory over Iowa also shines in the clip. That franchise-first win was a key factor in “Came Out A Beast” coming to fruition.
“After we won the championship, Lil Wayne was on ESPN and Sue Bird asked him, ‘When you going to do something with Flau’Jae?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah man, we going to make that happen.’ So once he said that, I texted him. I sent him the song. It probably took him about, three months for him to send it back,” she detailed.
She then explained how she remained patient with dropping the final product, elaborating, “When I went on Sway In The Morning and I did the six-foot seven-foot freestyle, and I wore the Lil Wayne shirt and everything. So I knew that out there was going to go viral. He was going to see it. Right after I did that, that’s when he sent the verse back. Man, it was crazy. It was like all of my wildest dreams had just come true.”
“Came Out A Beast” comes from Flau’Jae’s latest project, Best Of Both Worlds. Released in June 2024, the mixtape features her “dog” NLE Choppa, 2Rare, and of course, Lil Wayne across nine tracks. The rapper hopes to expand the project with a deluxe version and additional music videos.
“I try to be as authentic as I can and be as vulnerable as I can because people really relate to that,” shared the Georgia native of her work. “I’ve been getting a lot of messages about my music from my fans. Every time, I smile.”
She continued, “We used to listen to music and feel something. That’s what I want to bring back to Hip-Hop.”
When she’s not writing raps or playing Fortnite with her brothers, the collegiate athlete is preparing for a busy fall. Flau’Jae is set to enter another year at LSU and return to the court for tip-off on Nov. 4, 2024, against Eastern Kentucky.
“Basketball season coming back up, have to lock in. Getting ready for the season, getting mentally prepared. That’s where my mind and my focus is at. This summer was a music summer and just getting my music out and promoting and being on the road. Now, I’m ready to lock back in and enjoy my season because I’m already a junior. Time running by fast, so I’m ready to soak it all in,” she concluded.
Until then, watch the “Came Out A Beast” music video above and check out Best Of Both Worlds below.
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