Episode Summary: "NIL Millions & Grammy Dreams with Flau’Jae Johnson"

Podcast: Baby, This is Keke Palmer
Host: Keke Palmer (A)
Guest: Flau’Jae Johnson (B)
Date: December 23, 2025

Overview

This episode features an insightful and energetic conversation between Keke Palmer and Flau’Jae Johnson—a standout NCAA basketball star, rapper, and businesswoman. Flau’Jae, known for her dual talents in music and sports and for being a leading recipient of college NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, discusses her journey, ambitions, and how she’s building a dynamic legacy. The dialogue covers balance, financial literacy, leadership, culture shifts in women’s athletics, and lessons on authenticity, all with Keke's trademark warmth and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Balancing Multiple Passions (03:08–07:20)

• Breaking Down Goals:
  Flau’Jae manages her intense schedule by focusing on three intentional goals per day, turning them into ~21 wins per week (03:38).

  “I’m chasing something that’s never really been done before… I wanna be the first WNBA player that won a WNBA championship and a Grammy.” —Flau’Jae (03:32)

• Mentality and Preparation:
  Keke compares her own approach to Flau’Jae’s, emphasizing discipline and taking things “day by day” (04:13–04:36):

  “As long as we put 100% into what it is that we gotta do that day, we gonna get wherever we trying to go.” —Keke (04:34)

• Mother’s Influence:
  Flau’Jae credits her mother for encouraging her to pursue both music and basketball:

  “My mama gave me that vision. And I’m just the type of person, if I’m gonna do it, I’m gonna be the best at it.” —Flau’Jae (06:51)

Versatility, Inspiration, and Artist Development (07:20–09:40)

• Role Models:
  Both discuss Jamie Foxx as an inspiration for multi-faceted talent (07:20–08:07).

• Artist Development:
  Flau’Jae reflects on her time on the show The Rap Game as formative:

  “It was artist development. And I feel like right now that’s what’s missing in the game.” —Flau’Jae (08:33)

  Keke agrees that today’s music industry doesn’t let artists "cook" before pushing them out (08:44).

Using Personal Story and Impact (09:51–11:36)

• Flau’Jae talks about performing a song about her father’s death to gun violence on America’s Got Talent:

  “It was kind of insane, because I was a young Black girl going on the show… but I feel like music is a universal language. If you speakin’ the truth… someone’s gonna connect with that.” —Flau’Jae (10:19)

  “[Simon Cowell] said, ‘I don’t know much about rap music, but, like, you gonna be a star.’” (11:02)

Rhythm in Music and Basketball (12:01–12:27)

• Both women connect creative rhythm in their art—music for Flau’Jae, acting for Keke—with "zen mode" and flow (12:01–12:27).

• Flau’Jae shares:

  “Sometimes, you know, when you in that mode… you’re in another mode. That’s where I be, with the basketball and with the music.” (12:24)

Control, Teamwork, and Leadership (14:14–19:26; 50:42–52:32)

• Control:
  Flau’Jae contrasts the artist’s control in the studio with the collaborative, selfless nature of basketball (18:21):

  “Basketball is a sport that keeps you humble… It’s bigger than me.”

• Leadership:
  As LSU’s basketball captain, Flau’Jae discusses learning empathy and leading by uplifting her team (19:02, 50:53):

  “To lead, sometimes you have to pour into your teammates, no matter what’s going on with you.” (51:43)

• Setting Standards:
  “If I bring greatness every day and I set that standard, they have no choice but to follow.” —Flau’Jae (52:30)

Overcoming Limits, Mindset, and Being Underestimated (20:22–23:37)

• Flau’Jae talks about mindset, learning from Black billionaire Reginald Lewis, and being “different” (19:36–20:22).

• Keke discusses how society discourages “too much greatness” (21:08–22:17), with memorable metaphors about elephants and flies representing mental limitations set by others (22:39–23:01).

  “It sometimes makes you feel discouraged because it’s like, man, you can do it… I want you to know that you can do it.” —Keke (23:01)

Legacy, Family, and Inspiration (30:28–32:48)

• Family legacy is reality for Flau’Jae: her musical name and passion are tied to her late rapper father, Camouflage (30:28–31:41).

• She feels a responsibility to honor her family's dreams through her work.

  “Sometimes you don't want to wake up in the morning, and then you’d be like—hey, it's bigger. Like, get up.” —Flau’Jae (32:05)

• Both she and Keke reflect on carrying narratives forward for their families and Black culture.

The Momager Dynamic (35:43–36:42)

• Flau’Jae’s mother negotiates her NIL deals and looks out for her best interests.

• There were growing pains in adolescence, but Flau’Jae ultimately recognized her mother’s wisdom:

  “I had to start listening to my mama… my mama doin’ big deals—she know what she’s talking about.” (36:42)

NIL, Wealth, and Financial Literacy (37:15–40:47)

• NIL Success:
  Flau’Jae is one of the most successful college athletes in the NIL era.

  “Sometimes I check my bank account, I get scared… I don't ever want to lose it.” (37:19)

• Her mom bought her 20 acres for long-term security.

• Financial Literacy:
  Flau’Jae learned via podcasts and self-education and now gives back through NIL campaigns, notably helping relieve $5.6 million in debt for Louisiana families (39:07).

  “So once I learned about it, and I'm still learning, I was like, bro, I got to share this information… so people understand how to use their money.” (40:08)

• Financial Advice:

  “Use your credit card like your debit card… pay them people back on time… don’t spend more than you have. I’m so cheap!” —Flau’Jae (41:02)

Shifts in Women’s Sports Visibility (42:01–45:47)

• NIL, social media, and the ability for athletes to show personality off-court are growing women’s sports visibility (42:48–43:31).

  “I give social media a lot of [credit]—now people are invested in the players’ lives.” (43:10)

• On disparities in pro sports pay vs. endorsements:

  “[As] the salary is the salary… Your money don’t have one door to come into.” —Keke (45:47) “If you build your brand right now in college… you will make (money).” —Flau’Jae (45:54)

Ownership, Brand, and Pressure (46:51–48:26)

• Flau’Jae and Keke discuss the importance of personal branding, social media, and content creation for financial power and autonomy.
• On pressure with NIL money:

  “Ain’t no pressure… These schools been making billions of dollars off athletes… I don’t play for the check… It’s a grateful thing.” —Flau’Jae (47:41)

Athlete Lifestyle: Training, Recovery, and Routine (48:26–50:41)

• Flau’Jae explains her training: “two times a day on the court… skill work, cardio, recovery.”
• Importance of recovery:

  “You don’t want to put no standard gas in a Ferrari… just really take care of your body is really important.” (49:53)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Being Multitalented:

  “Why pick one thing if you got a lot to give, right?” —Keke (07:09)

• On Authenticity:

  “It can’t be on you. It gotta be in you.” —Flau’Jae (09:48)

• On Mindset:

  “She who says she can and she who says she can’t are both usually right.” —Flau’Jae (25:20)

• On Leadership:

  “They get a lot of their confidence from me. Like, you—we go as you go.” —Flau’Jae (51:43)

• Favorite Lyric Recitation (52:54–53:38):

  “I’m the one they want to represent.
  Young Black girl, I could probably be the president.
  I’m the voice of the youth, you hear my tone, I think it’s evident
  I know who I am, they mistake my confidence for arrogance...
  My chocolate is beautiful, I’m rocking it per usual…” —Flau’Jae

Guest Inspirations and Influences

• Musical inspirations: Lauryn Hill, Nicki Minaj, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott (27:53–28:44)
• Business/life: Reginald Lewis
• Family: Her late father, Camouflage, and her mother (“momager”)

Fun and Lighthearted Moments

• British accent challenge with Keke (17:30–18:07)
• Flau’Jae’s “Chipotle bowl” pitch (58:23–58:55)
• “This is Icky Palma!” recurring inside-joke and playful banter

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:08] Balancing multiple hats/goals
• [05:27] Lil Wayne collaboration
• [06:11] Decision to pursue sports and music
• [09:51] America’s Got Talent, honoring her father, gun violence
• [12:01] Rhythm in music and sports
• [18:21] Control in music vs. sports
• [19:36] Mentors, Reginald Lewis
• [23:53] On seeing oneself in a documentary, inspiration to girls
• [35:43] Momager dynamic and NIL negotiations
• [37:15] Creating generational wealth, land purchase
• [39:07] NIL x Experian collaboration: $5.6M in debt relief
• [41:02] Financial literacy advice
• [42:48] Women’s sports popularity changes
• [45:47] Salary vs. endorsements, building your brand
• [50:53] Leadership lessons as team captain
• [52:47] Recitation of favorite verse
• [54:18] WNBA “Mount Rushmore”
• [58:23] Dream brand deal—Chipotle bowl

Conclusion

Flau’Jae Johnson personifies a new era of young, multitalented Black women rewriting the rules for sports, music, and business. Her transparency about overcoming grief, embracing her versatile gifts, educating on wealth, and advocating for women and girls brings inspiration well beyond stats and streaming numbers. Her story is one about legacy, resilience, and the courage to “walk in your purpose”—all delivered with her trademark confidence and warmth, as Keke Palmer sums up:

“She’s not just changing the game. She’s changing what’s possible.” (60:56)

This summary captures the heart, humor, and actionable wisdom of a rich, joyous conversation—a must-listen for anyone interested in ambition, authenticity, and the next generation of culture-shifters.