Fans of Fox’s runaway hit show “Empire” that are #TeamJamal will soon be in for a treat.
Actor Jussie Smollet, who plays Jamal Lyon on the show, revealed in a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly that he’s signed a recording contract with powerhouse label, Columbia Records.
“There will be a Jussie Smollett album,” he says. “I signed to Columbia, so darling [laughs] I’m label mates with Beyoncé and Adele and Barbra Streisand.”
Smollett went on to warn that while he does hope to work with some of the show’s music supervisors and producers, fans shouldn’t expect all Jamal on Jussie’s album:
“It’s going to be a whole different thing. Now, the ‘Empire’ family will still have something to do with it. I would love for Terrence to come and oversee the production of all of the music. And I would love for Timbaland to come on and Jim Beanz. We’ve all talked and they’re all down to work on it,” he said.
In addition to the music, the series itself continues to strike a cord with fans who have made the show a record breaking ratings bonanza
Not only does the show provide entertainment for its audience, but it’s also effecting real-life change for some. Smollet, whose character recently came out as gay, says it’s a blessing to portray a character who is touching so many lives:
“To be able to tell this story is such an honor because I get so many letters from kids that say that they didn’t know where to turn, they didn’t have anybody to look up to. Somebody wrote me a letter after the second episode and they said that it gave them the strength to come out to their parents. To me, it’s such a blessing to be able to play Jamal because it’s making people somehow feel like they’re not alone, ” Smollett said.
