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.
On the heals of Fox releasing the entire Empire soundtrack via Columbia records, this week on “Empire State of Mind,” DX looks into five tracks that fit radio today.
Drip Drop – Yazz & Serayah McNeill
One of the most popular tracks to arrive from Empire’s first season, “Drip Drop,” is a collaboration between Hakeem and Tiana Brown. Of course, their narrative loosely mirrors Chris Brown and Rihanna. Therefore, “Drip Drop” sounds like an interesting collaboration between the two. It helps that Empire’s musical director is Timbaland himself. The contemporary production is only heightened by the simplistic hook. Lyrically, the track is full of the typical “for the ladies” come-ons that are just as cheesy as the actual music video itself for those who remember the particular episode. If another artist were to make a track like this, it’d most definitely become an instant club banger for better or worse.
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Can’t Truss ‘Em – Yazz
This song is inspired by Hakeem’s relationship with Tiana after leaked photos tear their struggle relationship apart. “Can’t Truss ‘Em” has Yazz informing listeners of his distrust of women in general. It’s a revenge song in the vein of Big Sean’s big hit “IDFWU.” That track was allegedly created in response to the G.O.O.D. Music artist’s thoughts on ex-fiance Naya Rivera. “Can’t Truss ‘Em” is a lot more angry in delivery compared to Big Sean’s fun club banger. However, “IDFWU” is obviously the better track considering DJ Mustard’s tight production(along with assistance from Mike Free and Kanye West).
I Wanna Love You – Jussie Smollett
Something about this song has the sonic feeling of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake’s leftovers from The 20/20 Experience. That’s not a knock against the track as there’s no doubt a radio release of “I Wanna Love You” on adult contemporary R&B stations would do pretty well. If “Drip Drop” was Empire’s best example of rap’s current fascination with hollow club bangers, Jussie Smollett’s portrayal of Jamal helps drive the R&B equivalent. Like good music within the genre, “I Wanna Love You” transcends the artist’s sexuality for something that could be completely enjoyable by anyone.
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Keep It Movin’ – Serayah McNeill & Yazz
Regardless of how many feel about Timbaland’s current production style, it’s worked for him pretty well in terms of churning out radio hits. Tiana’s first single with Yazz, “Keep It Movin” sounds a lot like “Give It to Me” from his album Shock Value. Ironically, “Keep It Movin” was also the title of a single from Kiley Dean, Timbaland’s former protege during his failed Beat Club era. It’s clean pop that’s would fit well into today’s radio rotation. Most importantly, if Tiana is suppose to be inspired by Rihanna, the track fits well into around her A Girl like Me and Good Girl, Gone Bad era vibe.
You’re So Beautiful – Jussie Smollett
The ultra pop sensibilities of “You’re So Beautiful” and the context around Jamal revealing his sexuality would work on radio for a multitude of reasons. Many viewers of Empire have compared the narrative to Lucious’ middle son to that of Frank Ocean. The former Odd Future member allegedly revealed his sexuality through Channel Orange track “Forest Gump” before officially coming out of the closet. Then there was the hype around Macklemore and Ryan Louis single “Same Love.” On it’s own terms, “You’re So Beautiful” works well as a radio single thanks to the bouncy dance feel and “Up Down, Up Down” chant after every hook. It’s fun and light enough for mass consumption.
