The intersection of sports and hip-hop culture has always been a powerful force, but rare is the individual who can completely dominate the conversation in both arenas simultaneously. Enter Seattle Storm rookie sensation Flau’jae Johnson. While she is currently adjusting to the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of professional basketball in the WNBA, she is also balancing an active, thriving career as a recording artist. Because she operates seamlessly within both spaces, her perspective on the cultural soundtrack driving today’s players is uniquely insightful.

In an exclusive look behind the scenes, prominent WNBA writer Landon Buford recently sat down with Johnson to peel back the layers on what exactly fuels the musical vibes inside the Seattle Storm’s practice facility. For fans who wonder what elite athletes listen to when the public cameras are turned off, the answer reveals a deeply rooted appreciation for hip-hop royalty. According to Buford’s detailed report on LandonBuford.com, the undeniable soundtrack to the Storm’s post-practice shooting blocks is none other than Drake.

The sound of basketballs bouncing combined with the distinct, melodic production of Toronto’s finest creates the backdrop for the team’s wind-down routine. However, while Flau’jae’s own musical pedigree makes her a natural authority on the aux cord, she was quick to hand the “superfan” title to one of her teammates. Speaking directly with Buford, Johnson clarified that she isn’t even the one driving the constant rotation of Drizzy tracks during their workout blocks. Instead, she gave credit where it was due, highlighting her fellow squad member as the true driving force behind the team’s daily playlist.

When Buford pressed her on her personal musical preferences and asked her to identify her absolute favorite track from Drake’s massive discography, the rookie didn’t hesitate. Rather than selecting one of his recent high-energy club anthems or hard-hitting rap records, Johnson went straight for an absolute, emotionally raw classic. She proudly named the moody, late-night anthem “Marvin’s Room” as her ultimate, go-to Drake song. It is a choice that highlights her appreciation for true songwriting and emotional vulnerability, qualities that any serious artist can respect, even when they’re handling business at the highest athletic level.

But the musical exploration didn’t stop at hip-hop. When the conversation turned toward pop and R&B royalty, Johnson revealed what she’s currently spinning on her own time during the heat of the summer season. When asked to crown her personal song of the summer, she skipped the generic radio hits and went back to a masterpiece of modern R&B, highlighting Rihanna’s legendary “Kiss It Better” from the critically acclaimed Anti album. The track’s guitar-driven, sultry energy seems to perfectly match the swagger of a young star completely locked into her zone, navigating her freshman year in the league with absolute poise.

Because Flau’jae isn’t just a passive fan listening to music in the locker room—she is an active participant in the industry with her own studio time, music videos, and independent creative vision—Buford naturally had to ask the ultimate question. If the stars aligned, would the multi-talented hooper ever want to team up with the Barbadian pop icon and global mogul for an official musical track?

Flau’jae didn’t blink, skip a beat, or offer a standard, calculated PR response. Instead, she answered with the exact type of fearless, unapologetic confidence that has made her a breakout fan favorite both on the hardwood and behind the microphone.

“Hell yeah, if RiRi wants to do a song.”

That definitive, bold declaration is exactly what sets Johnson apart from the traditional athlete archetype. She isn’t treating music as a simple off-season hobby or a casual distraction from her primary job; she is fully leaning into her dual identity as a sovereign creative force. In a sports landscape that often tries to force players into a singular box, her willingness to loudly claim her space in both industries is incredibly refreshing.

As Buford’s coverage expertly illustrates, Flau’jae Johnson is a prime example of the modern, multi-hyphenate athlete who refuses to compromise on their creative passions. Whether she is locking down defensive assignments on the WNBA floor, analyzing the songwriting of Drake’s biggest hits, or manifesting a heavy-hitting studio collaboration with Rihanna, she is doing it entirely on her own terms. The rest of the world is just trying to keep up with the playlist.