Following months of speculation and anticipation, Fox recently dropped the trailer for season two of its ratings juggernaut Empire. A lot has changed since viewers were first introduced to the Lyon family in early January. Head patriarch Lucious discovered his diagnosis of ALS was something a lot less life threatening yet, was charged with the killing his former friend Bunky and finds himself currently incarcerated. This a 180 from the series beginning with his ex-wife Cookie being released from prison. Getting over the closeted homosexual hump, middle son Jamal takes over Empire Enterprises and even manages to get a little Suge Knight-ish during a few episodes. Meanwhile, oldest son Andre is still coming to terms with his bipolar disorder. Empire Enterprises’ greatest threat comes when Hakeem forms an alliance with Lucious’ ex-fiance Annika who is possibly helping a rival record label. Wrapping everything together is Cookie’s power struggle to get the piece of the company that is deserved. As the second season of Empire is surely set possibly break more viewership records, DX is proud to present the next edition of “Empire State Of Mind.”
Did The FBI Indictment Of Murder Inc. Influence A Recent Episode Of Empire?
Last night’s episode of Empire featured the current newly occurring battle between Lucious and district prosecutor Roxanne Ford (portrayed by Boyz In The Hood actress Tyra Ferrell) reaching a new intensity as Empire Enterprises is raided by The FBI. Since the attempt of pinning Bunky’s to the Lyon head didn’t work out well, she’s attempts something far greater. The opening scene features federal agents seizing every document and possibly incriminating item of Empire Entertainment. Those with a well enough knowledge of Hip Hop should find similarities between the small screen and reality. While a large amount of the culture focused on 50 Cent and Ja Rule’s beef between one another, Murder Inc faced some heavy allegations the same year when FBI agents and New York Police Department raided their former Manhattan offices. Similar to Empire Enterprises, the federal probe of the house that Irv Gotti, Chris Gotti, Ja Rule and Ashanti built allegedly were tied to drug trafficking, money laundering and gang activities. According to reports, the probe lasting several years revolved around the label’s ties to historic drug king Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff who is currently serving life in prison.
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Nearly everyone involved with the label were questioned. That even meant Ja Rule’s manager Ron Robinson and bookkeeper Cynthia Brent. Gotti’s lawyers felt as if they were simply guilty by association; going so far to call the indictment a “war against Hip Hop.” Prosecutors alleged that Murder Inc’s relationship with the original trap king came through the label cutting checks for fraudulent companies McGriff owned. Apparently, one of those businesses was a film production company which produced Crime Partners 2000. After two days of deliberation, the Gotti brothers were acquitted on all charges. “I’m on cloud nine,” Irv Gotti said. “It’s a happiness that the jurors saw through everything and did the right thing. It’s a happiness that after three years, the cloud the government put over my head is removed. And the sun is now shining. I got my life back and people don’t have to be afraid to come near me.” Despite the air of relief, Murder Inc really never recovered. Ja never bounced back from 50 Cent’s onslaught against him, got locked up for gun possession and now pedals credit cards when not starring in his own MTV reality television series. Gotti’s relationship with Def Jam remains strained and the entity of Murder Inc has yet to reach their level of notoriety since.
Every episode of Empire, I’m left speechless of how much the writing is really ripped from the best rap headlines. The first season dealt with the possibilities of a music label funded with drug money as Cookie’s main motivation revolves around her initial investment and everything owed after spending time in prison. There’s even a moment where the Lyon matriarch threatens Lucious with revealing the truth. And, here we are for the second season. Where does this eventually lead? Unroll the next episode ladies and gentlemen.
Ural Garrett is a Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
