Various artists
Original Soundtrack
from Season 1 of Empire
(Columbia)
Three stars
If there's one thing that could have sunk Fox's TV hit Empire faster than bad acting, it was bad music. But ratings for the hip-hop drama are soaring, thanks in part to its addictive storylines and impressive cast, but also its slew of catchy tunes that are collected here.
Not every song is a gem, but the set is worth a listen, if only for a chance to hear more from the actor and singer Jussie Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyons, the middle son of Empire’s music mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard).
Smollett is the soundtrack's breakout star – for which veteran producer and Empire music supervisor Timbaland certainly deserves at least some of the credit. Songs such as Good Enough and Keep Your Money, crafted by Timbaland and co-producer Jim Beanz, marked pivotal moments in establishing Smollett's on-screen role as the introspective and talented Jamal. But the upbeat I Wanna Love You and irresistibly sunny You're So Beautiful – both co-written by Smollett – give a sense of the actor's off-screen musical abilities.
As for the actor and rapper Bryshere Gray, who goes by Yazz the Greatest, his contributions are in line with his on-screen persona as youngest son Hakeem Lyon – mostly shallow and more rap parody than rap. Depth is provided by V Bozeman, with her emotional delivery of What Is Love, while the British singer Estelle makes a perfect duet partner to Smollett on the uplifting Conqueror. Howard is an almost-believable singer alongside Mary J Blige on the sweet Shake Down, produced by The-Dream and Tricky Stewart. Other season-one guests, including Jennifer Hudson and Courtney Love, drop in – but even with all that star power, fans will be left thinking about the new guy, Smollett.
artsife@thenational.ae
