Who says you can’t do it all? Flau’jae Johnson is shining with No. 5 LSU Tigers, who just defeated Vanderbilt in a tough game and continues her music career side-by-side. In fact, if you search the Louisiana junior, her rapper persona comes up first. Her 2024 debut album, Best of Both Worlds, was a hit with fans and not just in the basketball community. But recently Johnson revisited a time when one of her songs ignited controversy as she welcomed Hailey Van Lith to the team.

Van Lith spent one season with the then-defending champions Lady Tigers in the year they lost to Iowa in the Elite Eight. Now part of the TCU Horned Frogs, the fifth-year senior apparently remains close to some of her former teammates, including Johnson. The LSU player even defended Van Lith on the “The Baller Alert Show” podcast last April as the host addressed the school’s loss to Clark’s Hawkeyes.

When the guard was in the process of transferring to LSU after three years at Louisville, Johnson had released a song in May 2023 called “Put it On Da Floor,” a cover of Latto’s song featuring Cardi B. But the problem arose with a line referencing the 9/11 incident, “In this 911, blowing smoke just like them towers.” Johnson had been connecting a Porsche 911 to Sept. 11, 2001, and it understandably did not go over well with everyone.

Johnson recently posted a story on Snapchat, “Randomly just thought about when they tried to cancel me for that one bar” with a laugh-crying emoji. And while she does not specify which song, it can be assumed that it was “Put it On Da Floor” because that’s her only song that has been criticized.

Referencing Van Lith, Johnson had rapped, “Can’t buy respect, it ain’t that cheap. I gotta eat, can’t break a sweat, review that chef like I was Keith. We got Van Lith, that’s what I stress if they suggest we can’t repeat.”

Johnson deleted the song from her X when the controversy gained steam and withdrew it from distribution. LSU also issued an apology, stating they had talked to their student, who had not intended any harm. Johnson herself addressed the situation on Instagram later, per FOX News.

Flau’jae Johnson on her rap career: “My whole goal in music is…”

The daughter of late rapper Camouflage, Flau’jae Johnson has always had a serious interest in music. Even now, with a blooming basketball career, she takes her music as seriously as ever. And because it’s truly important to her, the Lady Tigers player made one thing clear in a statement.

“Y’all probably heard the lyrics in the song that I made and I just wanted to come on here and let y’all know by no means would I ever intentionally try to disrespect or offend anyone,” Johnson stated.

“My whole goal in music is to push positivity and spread love. So, in no way, shape or form would I intentionally try to disrespect or offend anyone. I’m definitely going to learn from this moving forward and I just thank y’all for y’all continued support.”

The situation from May 2023 seems to have been forgotten by the masses but Johnson herself clearly remembers it! Nevertheless, as March Madness creeps closer, the LSU star is focused on basketball for now.