Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
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| Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | March 10, 2015 |
| Genre | Hip hop R&B pop |
| Length | 37:0159:52 (Deluxe) |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer | Timbaland, Jim Beanz, Justin Bostwick, Raphael Saadiq, Jazze Pha, Tricky Stewart, Sharif “Reefa” Slater, Johnny Black |
| Empire soundtrack chronology | |
| Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 (2015)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1 (2015) | |
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 is the debut soundtrack album by the cast of the musical drama television series Empire, which airs on Fox. The album includes songs that featured during the first season of the show, and performed by various artists. The album was released by Columbia Records. The soundtrack received positive critical reception and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in the United States. On September 11, 2015, another soundtrack titled Empire: The Complete Season 1 was released containing every song heard on the show that weren’t included on the official soundtrack.
Background
Empire was set to debut on January 7, 2015 on Fox. After finding his lead actors, the show’s co-creator Lee Daniels was searching for a talented music producer. Since Daniels considered his music taste “outdated”, he asked his children for advice. After being advised by his son and daughter to contact Timothy “Timbaland” Mosley, known for being responsible for many hits in the music industry, Daniels contacted Timbaland. Timbaland eventually agreed to join the Empire family and conducted a team of talented songwriters and music artists. Timbaland described his creative process as being based on “working close with the writers” to help him produce songs that are based on the character that’s singing. Eventually, 12 songs were produced for the pilot, alone.
Following the show’s success, Columbia Records announced that a soundtrack CD would be released on March 10, 2015.
Promotion
Following the album’s release, Jussie Smollett performed “Good Enough” on The Ellen Degeneres Show. Smollett was interviewed by Degeneres and used the opportunity to come out, receiving substantial media attention. Yazz and Smollett also performed “You’re So Beautiful” on Good Morning America. During the 2015 Billboard Music Awards, Yazz, Smollett and Estelle performed two songs from the album. The cast embarked on a signing tour throughout the nation, as well.
Critical response
Metacritic gave the album an average score of 61%, indicating “generally favorable reviews” based on five critics. Critics praised Jussie Smollett’s performance on the album, describing him as a “break out star”. Entertainment Weekly‘s Kyle Anderson praised the CD’s variation of genres stating “[the album] is at its best when it eschews goofy gangsta-isms like “Drip Drop” in favor of chest-thumping ballads or stirring hip-hop soul revivals”. Further, he applauded Timbaland for “hold[ing] everything together”. Pitchfork’s Craig Jenkins admired the writer’s effort given the fact that they had “to turn Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” into swag rap and to feed Courtney Love a gospel choir” stating “there’s nothing they won’t try, and it’s exhilarating”. However, he expressed his distaste of the album’s “celebrity collaborators” describing them as a “mixed bag”.
Justin Charity from Complex Magazine thought the album’s rap songs were “goofy as hell” and stated that “not even Mary J. Blige could save the Empire soundtrack”. However he admitted that the songs were “catchy” and that the album overall “keeps a few true R&B greats on call for the love of musicality”.
Commercial performance
The album was a commercial success. In the United States, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, with 130,000 album-equivalent units, surpassing Madonna’s thirteenth studio album Rebel Heart in a hotly contested week. Although “Rebel Heart” was the best selling album of the week, Empire came ahead in streaming. It sold 110,000 copies in its first week on sale.[12] In January 2016, the album was certified Gold in the United States. The album also debuted at number 26 on the Canadian Albums Chart, with 1,300 copies. As of early 2017, the album has sold nearly 2,000,000 equivalent copies, helped by a Grammy nomination, several TV performances and constant reuse of its songs on the further seasons. Although, the other soundtracks haven’t received similar promotion, obtaining lower commercial impact.
Track listing
Empire: The Complete Season 1
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “What Is Love” | V. Bozeman | 1:28 |
| 2. | “Live in the Moment” | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 2:20 |
| 3. | “Good Enough” | Jussie Smollett | 3:50 |
| 4. | “Right There” | Yazz | 2:14 |
| 5. | “Armani” | Yazz | 1:44 |
| 6. | “What the DJ Spins” | Terence Howard | 1:59 |
| 7. | “Adios” | Serayah McNeill | 3:39 |
| 8. | “Tell the Truth” | Jussie Smollett | 3:51 |
| 9. | “No Apologies” | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 2:53 |
| 10. | “Up All Night” (Jamal’s 2015 Version) | Jussie Smollett | 2:40 |
| 11. | “Bad Girl” | Serayah McNeill and V. Bozeman | 3:30 |
| 12. | “Hustle Hard” | Jim Beanz | 2:10 |
| 13. | “Keep It Movin'” | Serayah McNeill and Yazz | 3:21 |
| 14. | “Keep Your Money” | Jussie Smollett | 2:29 |
| 15. | “Take Me to the River” | Courtney Love | 3:31 |
| 16. | “Can’t Trust ‘Em” | Yazz | 2:34 |
| 17. | “I Wanna Love You” | Jussie Smollett | 3:06 |
| 18. | “Walk Out on Me” | Courtney Love | 3:25 |
| 19. | “Money for Nothing” | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 3:02 |
| 20. | “Live in the Moment” (107 Edit) | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 2:09 |
| 21. | “You’re So Beautiful” (90s Version) | Terrance Howard | 3:59 |
| 22. | “You’re So Beautiful” | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 3:33 |
| 23. | “You’re So Beautiful” (White Party Version) | Jussie Smollett | 3:49 |
| 24. | “Jay Jazz Plus One” (Instrumental) | 2:37 | |
| 25. | “War of the Roses” | Jim Beanz | 3:16 |
| 26. | “All of the Above” | Jussie Smollett | 3:41 |
| 27. | “Black & Blue” | V. Bozeman | 2:41 |
| 28. | “Conqueror” | Estelle and Jussie Smollett | 4:29 |
| 29. | “You’re So Beautiful” (Full Cast Version) | Estelle, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Yazz and Serayah McNeill | 2:45 |
| 30. | “Lola” | Jussie Smollett | 3:26 |
| 31. | “Shake Down” | Mary J. Blige and Terrence Howard | 3:26 |
| 32. | “Nothing But a Number” | Yazz and Naomi Campbell | 3:09 |
| 33. | “Remember the Music” | Jennifer Hudson | 3:23 |
| 34. | “Power of the Empire” | Yazz | 3:17 |
| 35. | “Nothing to Lose” | Terrence Howard and Jussie Smollett | 3:00 |
| 36. | “For My God” | Jennifer Hudson | 2:49 |
| 37. | “Come Away With Me” | Jussie Smollett | 3:44 |
| 38. | “Nothing to Lose” | Jussie Smollett | 2:48 |
| 39. | “What the DJ Says” | Jussie Smollett and Yazz | 3:15 |
| 40. | “Whatever Makes You Happy” | Jennifer Hudson and Juicy J | 3:15 |
| 41. | “New York Raining” | Charles Hamilton and Rita Ora | 3:35 |
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1
| Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | November 20, 2015 |
| Genre | Hip hopR&Bpop |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer | TimbalandNe-YoJ.R. RotemSwizz BeatzTeal DouvilleTerrence HowardPetey PabloTroyBoiMax BeesleyJesse “Corparal” Wilson |
| Empire soundtrack chronology | |
| Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1 (2015)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1 (2015)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 (2016) | |
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1 is the second soundtrack album by the cast of the musical drama television series Empire which airs on Fox. The album includes songs that featured during the second season of the show. It was released on November 20, 2015.[1]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard 200, selling 22,000 copies in the first week. As of April 2016, the album has sold 114,000 copies in the US.
Critical response
AllMusic gave the album a score of three out of five, commenting that “much like the show itself, the quality of songs has become somewhat uneven” and that the album’s standout track is “Boom Boom Boom Boom”. Entertainment Focus gave the album four out of five stars, based on the deluxe version of the album. They felt that eight bonus tracks were the best on the album.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Born to Love U” (Jussie Smollett) | J.R. RotemTeal DouvilleTalay Riley | J.R. RotemTeal Douville | 3:35 |
| 2. | “Snitch Bitch” (Terrence Howard and Petey Pablo) | Moses Barrett IIITerrence Howard | Terrence HowardPetey Pablo | 3:48 |
| 3. | “Hourglass” (V. Bozeman) | Max BeesleyHoward | HowardMax Beesley | 3:45 |
| 4. | “Get No Better (2.0)” (Serayah) | Troy HenryCamille Purcell | TroyBoi | 2:48 |
| 5. | “Bout 2 Blow” (Yazz and Timbaland) | Dwayne MurchisonBryshere Y. Gray | Timbaland | 3:01 |
| 6. | “No Doubt About It” (Jussie Smollett and Pitbull) | Shaffer SmithJesse “Corparal” WilsonTearce “Kizzo” Person | Ne-YoJesse “Corparal” Wilson | 4:45 |
| 7. | “Ain’t About the Money” (Jussie Smollett and Yazz) | SmithSixx JohnsonJason Lee YorkJesse “Corparal” WilsonReynell Hay | Ne-YoJesse “Corparal” Wilson | 3:12 |
| 8. | “Never Love Again” (Jussie Smollett) | SmithCharles T. Harmon | Ne-Yo | 4:03 |
| 9. | “Runnin'” (Yazz, Jamila Velazquez, Raquel Castro and Yani Marin) | RotemJoshua Kindlan MulveyMarty JamesRaja KumariClaudia Alexandra FelicianoJames Robert McCallCandice ShieldsDwayne Murchison | J.R. Rotem | 2:56 |
| 10. | “Boom Boom Boom Boom” (Terrence Howard and Bre-Z) | HowardMaxton Gig BeesleyCalesha Murray | HowardBeesley | 3:37 |
| 11. | “Heavy” (Jussie Smollett) | SmithJesse “Corparal” WilsonTierce A.J. PersonReynell Hay | Ne-YoJesse “Corparal” Wilson | 2:57 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | “Ready to Go” (Pepsi Version) (Jussie Smollett) | Kasseem DeanTyrone Reginald JohnsonMelodie NicholsonJosh Exantus | 2:26 | |
| 13. | “Powerful” (Jussie Smollett and Alicia Keys) | RotemRileyAlexander IzquierdoJussie Smollett | 4:00 | |
| 14. | “Battle Cry” (Jussie Smollett) | SmithJesse “Corparal” WilsonThe Aristocrats | Ne-YoJesse “Corparal” Wilson | 4:09 |
| 15. | “Dynasty” (Yazz and Timbaland) | MurchisonGray | 2:47 | |
| 16. | “Mimosa” (Jamila Velazquez, Raquel Castro and Yani Marin) | RotemRuth Anne CunninghamChristopher J BaranDouville | 3:27 | |
| 17. | “Do Something With It” (Serayah) | SmithJesse “Corparal” WilsonPersonHay | Ne-YoJesse “Corparal” Wilson | 2:26 |
| 18. | “You Broke Love” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:56 | ||
| 19. | “Same Song” (Bre-Z) | Brian Vincent BatesCalesha MurrayAsiahn Bryant | 3:57 |
Personnel
Executive music producer
Soundtrack album producers
- Timbaland
- Ne-Yo
- J.R. Rotem
- Teal Douville
- Swizz Beatz
Music supervisor
- Jen Ross (Format Entertainment)
Executive in charge of music for 20th Century Fox Television
- Geoff Bywater
Executive in charge of music for Columbia
- Shawn Holiday
Music coordinator
- Simone Sheffield
Music production for Fox
- Carol Farhat
Music production liaison
- Robin Simms
Soundtrack coordination
- Nicole Fox
- Sebastien LeTellier
Periscope Studio manager
- Michael Nels
Mastered by
- Mark Santangelo
- Dave Kutch
Art direction and design
- Dave Bett
- Taylor Diglio
Executive producers
- Brian Grazer
- Francie Calfo
- Danny Strong
- Lee Daniels
- Ilene Chaiken
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2
| Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | April 29, 2016 |
| Genre | Hip hopR&Bpop |
| Label | Columbia |
| Producer | TimbalandJ.R. RotemNe-YoSwizz BeatzMark Murrille |
| Empire soundtrack chronology | |
| Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1 (2015)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 (2016)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3 (2017) | |
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 is the third soundtrack album by the cast of the musical drama television series Empire which airs on Fox. The album includes songs that featured during the second season of the show. It was released on April 29, 2016. The Soundtrack was Recorded & Mixed at Periscope Post & Audio in Chicago, IL. Mixed By Jason Nuemann, Andrew Twiss, Kevin Davis, Justin Hind, Matt Gubernick, Jim Beanz, & Rodney “Every Ave” Murrille.
Track listing
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 – Deluxe edition
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Freedom” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:05 |
| 2. | “Crown” (Jamila Velazquez, Raquel Castro and Yani Marin) | 3:11 |
| 3. | “Look But Don’t Touch” (Serayah) | 3:44 |
| 4. | “Good People” (Jussie Smollett and Yazz) | 3:22 |
| 5. | “Like My Daddy” (Jussie Smollett) | 2:26 |
| 6. | “Shine on Me” (Jussie Smollett and Bre-Z) | 3:25 |
| 7. | “All Nite” (Yazz, Serayah and Jamila Velazquez) | 2:57 |
| 8. | “Body Speak” (Serayah) | 2:11 |
| 9. | “Last Night” (Jussie Smollett and Bre-Z) | 2:04 |
| 10. | “Get It Started” (Jussie Smollett and Kelli Wakili) | 2:51 |
| 11. | “Got That Work” (Yazz) | 3:31 |
| 12. | “Good Enough (Negrito Remix)” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:13 |
| 13. | “Chasing the Sky” (Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett and Yazz) | 4:17 |
| 14. | “No Competition” (Yazz and Serayah) | 3:30 |
| 15. | “Hemingway” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:43 |
| 16. | “My Own Thang” (Jussie Smollett) | 2:52 |
| 17. | “Turn Around” (Bre-Z) | 2:57 |
| 18. | “Fabulous” (DMK) | 2:53 |
| 19. | “Never Let It Die” (Jussie Smollett and Yazz) | 2:34 |
| 20. | “All Nite (Yo Gotti Remix)” (Yazz, Serayah, Jamila Velazquez and Yo Gotti) | 3:45 |
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3
| Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Soundtrack album by Various artists | |
| Released | April 28, 2017 |
| Genre | Hip hopR&Bpop |
| Label | Columbia |
| Empire soundtrack chronology | |
| Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2 (2016)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3 (2017)Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 4 (2018) | |
Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3 is the fourth soundtrack album by the cast of the musical drama television series Empire which airs on Fox. The album includes songs that featured during the third season of the show. It was released on April 28, 2017.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Need Freedom” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:48 |
| 2. | “Infamous” (Mariah Carey and Jussie Smollett) | 3:35 |
| 3. | “Aces High” (Serayah) | 2:27 |
| 4. | “Over Everything” (Jussie Smollett and Yazz) | 3:13 |
| 5. | “Mama” (Stripped Down Version) (Jussie Smollett) | 3:24 |
| 6. | “Black Girl Magic” (Sierra McClain and Serayah) | 3:41 |
| 7. | “Starlight” (Hakeem Version) (Serayah and Yazz) | 3:16 |
| 8. | “Get Me Right” (Sierra McClain, Serayah and Yazz) | 2:50 |
| 9. | “All In” (Serayah and Yazz) | 3:01 |
| 10. | “I Got You” (Jussie Smollett, Yazz and Serayah) | 2:43 |
| 11. | “Special” (Yazz) | 3:15 |
| 12. | “Crazy Crazy 4 U” (Rumer Willis) | 2:37 |
| 13. | “The Father the Sun (Rap Remix)” (Jussie Smollett and Fetty Wap) | 3:28 |
| 14. | “We Got Us” (Jussie Smollett) | 3:22 |
| 15. | “Dream On with You” (Terrence Howard) | 3:34 |
A duet featuring Jussie Smollett and guest star Estelle.
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