Television’s first great hour-long musical drama of 2015, Empire, has become a water cooler conversation initiator after making its debut earlier in January. Starring Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, the FOX series has already been dubbed Hip Hop’s equivalent to ABC’s insanely popular country music-based Nashville. Focused on record label and media company Empire Enterprise, Howard stars as Lucious Lyon; former drug dealer turned rapper who has built the American dream through even more questionable means. This is where Henson’s portrayal of ex-wife Cookie Lyon comes in. Recently released from prison after a seventeen year sentence for drug charges, Cookie wants half of Empire Enterprise as cash gained through illicit dealings funded the company’s early beginnings. A huge bulk of the drama also comes through Lucious’ recent diagnosis of ALS and which of his three sons get control after his eventual death. This leads to an interesting power struggle between executive eldest son Andre, singer/songwriter middle child Jamal and hot-headed aspiring rapper and youngest sibling Hakeem.
Already a hit with both viewers and critics, Empire takes inspiration from news and rumors that have spread throughout Hip Hop for decades. Those with both underlying and surface level knowledge of the culture are bound to have a grand time naming those varying aspects. With that in mind, DX will be presenting a weekly series based around the show entitled “Empire State of Mind” which will recap episodes and offer insight into possibly inspired scenarios among others.
This week we catch up on the previous three episodes of Fox’s hit series and link the plot to news stories.
“Out, Damned Spot”
Empire Characters: Lucious, Cookie and Elle Dallas (Courtney Love)
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Real Life Counterparts: Elle Dallas as any artists whose dealt with drug addiction and Lucious Master P
Inspirations For Plot:Master P Responds To Wife’s Welfare Claims, Says “Stop Listening To All That Stuff”, DMX Speaks On His Bipolar Disorder, Drug Addiction & More
In a move straight out of the Master P playbook, Lucious attempts to show investors how family oriented Empire Enterprise is by holding a music showcase revolving around the Lyon sons. Though Elle Dallas was put on the road of drug recovery due to Cookie, Anika slips one in her drink and spoils any chance of a proper comeback. This story of drug addiction isn’t anything particularly new within the music, let alone Hip Hop. Rappers ranging from DMX to B.G. and even Eminem have dealt or are still dealing with drug addiction.
Before Lucious is able to address potential investors, he suffers an ALS attack which renders him literally speechless. He then asks Cookie to deliver the speech for him and she does it off the cuff. Most importantly, it successfully gets money to the company. Jamal also begins to warm up to his daughter though his ex-wife and baby momma have gone ghost. By the end of the night’s episode, Lucious and Cookie finally do what everyone’s been anticipating. Yup, they have sex and are both eventually caught by Anika.
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“Our Dancing Days”
Empire Characters: Jamal
Real Life Counterparts: Jamal as Frank Ocean, Lucious as P Diddy
Inspirations For Plot:Frank Ocean Writes Letter Discussing Sexuality, Diddy Host White Party
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Outside a surprise dialogue between Lucious’ eldest son Andre about his white wife’s effect on Empire Enterprise, the biggest scene comes near the show’s end. Lucious holds a “White Party” similar to P Diddy’s annual Hamptons celebration. Hoping to have the family perform together sans Andre (his talents are in the executive world), he attempts to recreate the performance from the previous episode, and, this time, even more epic and ridiculous.
Hakeem’s relationship with fashion designer Camilla Marks becomes an open situation to Cookie’s disapproval. Turning into more of a Yoko Ono figure, Marks breaks up Hakeem and Jamal, leaving him to perform “You’re So Beautiful” by himself. Seizing the opportunity, he outs himself as homosexual near the song’s end. Most don’t notice much, but Lucious does. The next day, Jamal becomes a news sensation based on that small lyrical change inspired by his new relationship. These events mirror the initial news reports following the listening session for Frank Ocean’s 2012 debut Channel Orange. Some noticed the particular lyrics on “Forest Gump” before the heartbreaking letter the then Odd Future member displayed on his personal Tumblr page. The rest was history.
“The Lyon’s Roar”
Empire Characters: Lyon Clan, Royale-T
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Real Life Counterparts: Royale-T as 50 Cent
Inspirations For Plot:50 Cent: “Suge Was Going To Kill” Dr. Dre
Has anyone realized yet that Derek Luke portrayed Diddy in Notorious? Pretty funny considering his current role on Empire is protecting someone whose story is ripped from the Bad Boy head (among others). Luke’s role as Empire Enterprises head of security Malcolm DeVeaux lead to another standout scene in the series involving a drunk Cookie (more on that later) This episode does a great job of focusing on all principal characters. Jamal does a power move and signs much sought after artist Delphine, Hakeem patches things up with Tiana and Andre has a mental breakdown.
Cookie discovers Anika’s side meetings with Billy Baretti and outs her in front of Lucious. There’s also an interesting moment where Cookie gets drunk with Empire Enterprise’s “realest” emcee Royale-T who comes off like any contemporary “d-boy” rapper of today. Ironically the actor portraying Royale-T, Ivan Ellis, said recently in an interview that the original name for the character was Kevin 187. That right there should describe the numerous amounts of inspiration. If there’s one in particular, it’s probably 50 Cent. Ironic considering the back and forth that’s been going on between Empire and his own show Power.
