Artist Flaujae Johnson Written By Josephine Dadeboe

With the recent rise of COVID-19, the live music industry is feeling the tumultuous effects caused by the global pandemic. So far major festivals, tours and award shows such as Coachella and Stagecoach, Ultra Music Festival, and Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, have all been postponed or cancelled due to the coronavirus.

What makes up a significant part of an artist’s income and exposure to potential new fans have now been stripped away or postponed. Rolling Stone reports that the most common income source for musicians is live performances -- this makes up a bulk of most musicians’ money. Furthermore, up-and-coming artists who aren’t major acts rely on the income from tours and live gigs to make their living. Join us here as we dive a little deeper into the lives of some of your favorite artists to see how they’re surviving in this new normal. 

Appearing on Lifetime’s reality TV series The Rap Game and on America’s Got Talent, rapper Flau’jae, 16, continues to make it in the music world.

The rapper first got her start as an artist at the tender age of 7 or 8 at her father’s birthday party. Flau’jae’s father is none other than the famous rapper, Camoflauge hailing straight from Savannah, Georgia.

In 2003, Camoflauge was fatally shot and killed before Flau’jae was born. Though Flau’jae never knew him, his legacy continues to live on through her knack for music.

“My music is my happy place. It’s where I can always maintain a positive light,” Flau’jae said. “I get inspiration from situations I’ve seen or been through that have made me feel a type of way.”

 As an artist, Flau’jae shares that one of her main responsibilities is to constantly put out good quality music that her fans would want to hear.  

Flau’jae’s first album Y’all Know Flau’jae was released back in 2013 and more recently, she just dropped her latest EP On My Own. The EP is currently available for downloading on all streaming platforms. 

 Now, it’s no surprise that the rise of the pandemic has definitely affected the lives of many and their professions. When asked how the pandemic has affected her job negatively, Flau’jae said:

 “I can’t perform in front of my fans which is a big deal for me because I love to connect with the people who love my music.”    

 Before the pandemic, Flau’jae’s routine as an artist consisted of days in the studio, attending interviews on other days, and performing on the weekends.

As the pandemic has halted and postponed a lot of activities worldwide, Flau’jae has picked up other talents and takes them just as seriously as she does rapping.

“I focused a lot on basketball this summer and as a result of that I have nearly 20 D1 offers ranging from Ole Miss to Georgia,” Flau’jae said.

 One piece of advice Flau’jae would like to share with other artists coming up in the game is to stay consistent and always believe in yourself even when other people don’t.

 “Even when you feel like you’re at a standstill and you have nowhere else to go put one foot in front of the other and push, walk by faith.” Flau’jae said.

Be sure to check out Flau’jae’s music on all social and streaming platforms. She has a lot of content coming out on her YouTube page Flau’jae, so be on the lookout for that!