Hip-hop drama Empire returns - can it maintain quality in season two?

In this season of Empire, we’ll be spending time behind bars with family patriarch Lucious (Terrence ­Howard), as he raps and rhymes while activists fight for his freedom.

From left, Trai Byers, Jussie Smollett, Taraji Henson, and Terrence Howard in Empire. Michael Lavine / Fox
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The phenomenal hip-hop drama Empire returns for its sophomore season with everyone wondering whether Fox's ratings smash can maintain the quality that made it an instant hit when it debuted in January.

In this season, we'll be spending time behind bars with family ­patriarch Lucious (Terrence ­Howard), as he raps and rhymes while activists fight for his freedom, and meet some cool cons, including Chris Rock. Furious 7 star Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, will make an appearance as a prison guard.

We will also welcome Kill Bill star Vivica A Fox as big sister to Cookie, played by last season's breakout star Taraji P Henson, who's expected to up her fashion game this time around.

There is also, of course, killer new music to look forward to from Jamal (Jussie Smollett) and crew as we mingle with a host of famous singers, musicians and other celebrities playing themselves, including Pitbull, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Marisa Tomei, ­Kelly Rowland, Al Sharpton, Andre Leon Talley, Swizz Beatz and Ne-Yo.

But don’t expect the show to be all name-dropping and celebrity cameos this season. “I found that, the more ­celebrities that I put on this show, the more it takes away from the family,” says series creator Lee Daniels.

“The family is the most important to me, so if we can bedazzle you with a little Denzel, a little Oprah, that’s OK … but I think I got to stick to the family. Family is what the story’s about.”

• Season two of Empire begins at 11pm tonight on OSN First HD