Set within a world of music, glamour, danger and power, EMPIRE is about a family dynasty that follows the head of a music empire whose three sons and ex-wife all battle for his throne. After music mogul Lucious Lyon (Oscar® Nominee Terrence Howard*) is diagnosed with a potentially fatal disease, he must choose which of his three sons will succeed him at the legendary Empire Entertainment. The game changes when his ex-wife Cookie (Oscar® Nominee Taraji P. Henson**) returns from prison where she’s been for almost two decades. Brash and fearless, she sees herself as the sacrificial lamb who built an empire with Lucious and then took the fall for running the drugs that financed Lucious’ early career. As the Lyons slug it out, a battle begins that will either cause the family’s destruction or redemption.
I did not watch this show when it premiered. I discovered it on my phone while at the gym looking for a TV show to watch while I did my aerobic workout. I quickly agreed that this show was a phenomenon. Great acting, fantastic singing, and amazing acting. I fell in love with all the characters and the music kept my adrenaline pumping while I was working out. I am not hooked, I am addicted. The original music is so good that everyone I knew was singing along in the street!
And the drama! Family drama, business infighting, and great vocals. I am so enamored of this movie I went out and starting finding older work by Terrence and Taraji! And then, to top it off, They were the last entrants on one of my favorite shows, Lip Sync, and they did a phenomenal job. All of these folks are wonderfully talented and I am well into Season Two on Fox TV and loving every minute f this great entertainment!
From the award-winning Lee Daniels, (“Lee Daniels’ The Butler,” “Precious”), Emmy Award winner Danny Strong (“Game Change,” “Lee Daniels’ The Butler”) and Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer Brian Grazer (“A Beautiful Mind,” “24”), comes “a genuine cultural phenomenon” (The Village Voice). Executive-produced by Daniels, Strong, Grazer, Ilene Chaiken (“The L Word”) and Francie Calfo (“Those Who Kill,” “Gang Related”), this groundbreaking series features a pulsating soundtrack from legendary R&B/hip hop producer and composer Timbaland.
“Empire” Season 1 features iconic music performances from an all-star cast which includes Terrence Howard (BET Award winner for Best Actor), Taraji P. Henson (Critics’ Choice Television Award winner for Best Actress in a Drama Series, BET Award winner for Best Actress), Jussie Smollett, Byshere Y. Gray, Kaitlin Doubleday, Malik Yoba, Trai Byers and Grace Gealey. The series included an impressive roster of guest star appearances from the likes of Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson, Gabourey Sidibe, Gladys Knight, Cuba Gooding Jr., Estelle, Mary J. Blige, Naomi Campbell Snoop Dog, Rita Ora, and Patti LaBelle, among others!
The Blu-ray™ and DVD of “Empire” Season 1 is packed with even more show-stopping moments and music performances such as “Drip Drop” and “You’re So Beautiful.” Get five complete performances, including the popular hit “No Apologies” on the DVD. Own it on Blu-ray™ and dive into more than nine hours of content and 50 minutes of special features, including 11 complete performances highlighting five of the most-popular songs from the series purchased on iTunes.
DVD Special Features:
• No Apologies – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Musical Performance
• I Wanna Love You –Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• Keep it Movin, – Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon) and Serayah McNeill (Tiana) Uncut Music Performance
• Whatever Makes You Happy – feat. Jennifer Hudson & Juicy J Uncut Music Performance
• You’re So Beautiful – Estelle, Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon), Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon), Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon), Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon) feat. Serayah McNeill (Tiana) Uncut Music Performance
Blu-ray™ Special Features: (11 Uncut Music Performances)
• No Apologies – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• I Wanna Love You –Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• Come Away With Me – Video Medley – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon)
• Whatever Makes You Happy (feat. Jennifer Hudson & Juicy J) Uncut Music Performance
• Keep it Movin – Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon) and Serayah McNeill (Tiana) Uncut Music Performance
• Tell the Truth – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• Nothing to Lose – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• Power of The Empire Video Medley – Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon)
• For My God – Jennifer Hudson (Michelle) Uncut Music Performance
• Good Enough – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• You’re So Beautiful – Estelle, Terrence Howard (Lucious Lyon), Taraji P. Henson (Cookie Lyon), Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon), Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon) feat. Serayah McNeill (Tiana) Uncut Music Performance
• You’re So Beautiful – Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon) Uncut Music Performance
• Drip Drop (DIRTY i-Tunes) – Byshere Y. Gray (Hakeem Lyon) feat. Serayah McNeill (Tiana) Uncut Music Performance
• What is Love Video Medley – feat. Veronika Bozeman
• Featurette: Empire: It’s in the Music
• Featurette: The Empire of Style
• Special Feature: Commentary on the “Pilot”
All of these great extras are the other reason to own this Season One Set!
Disclosure” As a Fox Insider, I received a copy of the Blu-ray for review. All opinions are 100% honest and my own.
Mitch – I received this in the mail to review, as well, and now I am addicted! I am on episode 6 and currently DVR-ing season 2 🙂 a friend and I started watching it last weekend and it’s great. I love the music and I think Cookie is my favorite character so far.
I am dying to watch this show! Everyone at work and at my teens school is talking about it and my son and I feel totally out of the loop! I am so glad you let me know that season one is now out, I will definitely be grabbing a copy and will binge watch the first season, so we can understand season two and get on board with the rest of the country!