A hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.
Cast:Terrence Howard , Taraji P. Henson , Jussie Smollett , Bryshere Y. Gray , Trai Byers , Ta'Rhonda Jones , Gabourey Sidibe , Serayah , Grace Byers , Andre Royo , AzMarie Livingston , Rekkhan , Nicole Ari Parker , Claudette Burchett , Xzibit , Rhyon Nicole Brown , Kaitlin Doubleday , A.Z. Kelsey
Hakeem leaves the altar, and a rooftop fight between Anika and Rhonda leads to a tragic fall; Lucious uses his streaming service to pursue his music legacy and clashes with Tariq, who leads a federal task force to investigate him.
Jamal partners with Angelo Dubois to host a summit for gun violence awareness; Lucious tries to win over Cookie; Hakeem and Shine start to record new songs together; Andre gets into trouble with the police.
Cookie asks superstar Kitty to record a new song with Jamal, in hopes of helping him regain his ability to perform; Andre gets into trouble; Hakeem and Gram vie for Tiana's attention.
Lucious starts seeing Angelo as a threat; Jamal takes his first big step towards recovery and faces Freda Gatz; Anika's return causes turmoil; Hakeem starts to have feelings for Nessa.
Lucious and Andre are on alert waiting for Shine to retaliate after their latest meeting. Jamal teams up with Hakeem for a performance. Cookie is caught off-guard during a routine meeting with her probation officer.
When Empire is hacked, the leak creates feuds between the artists and among the Lyon family; Andre tries to prove his worth to the company; Lucious is determined to divide Cookie and Angelo; Jamal is caught in a love triangle.
Cookie needs to plan a family dinner that will impress Angelo's mother; home video pushes Cookie to confront secrets about her relationship with her father; Andre puts together a surprising duet.
Andre sabotages Tiana's big appearance at a fashion event in an attempt to get Nessa into the spotlight. Meanwhile, Tariq works with Leah to try to bring down Lucious, and Jamal works with Philip to get over his PTSD.
Cookie hosts a free park concert to help Angelo appeal to the masses and win his bid to become mayor; the FBI continues its investigation of Lucious and freezes Empire's assets.
When Lucious announces his new project, Cookie vows to dethrone him, igniting an epic battle; Jamal befriends a fellow musician in rehab; Hakeem and Tiana fight Nessa for a spot in the music showcase.
Cookie tries to move forward with Angelo while struggling with guilt over her run-in with Lucious; Leah looks for Tariq's help in taking down Anika; Jamal and Tory team up in the studio.
Hakeem's birthday - the big 21, didn't stay big as long as expected. Meanwhile, psychotic Dre is still trying his best for Nessa to breakthrough. Lucious, the father Lyon lessons his youngest son Hakeem - just on time. Jamal, the wise Lyon isn't being able to wisely choose between his two lovers. As for Cookie, mama Lyon just gave her gun away, all eyes on Leah there.
Empire faces an expensive lawsuit after the attack at Hakeem's Birthday party. Luscious becomes ill and Andre reveals his plans for Empire's Vegas venture. Angelo and Cookie watch the election results.
Lucious receives news from Cookie that makes him unsure about the future; Giuliana convinces Lucious to go along with her plans.
Angelo questions his decisions when his relationship with Cookie turns sour.
The Lyons fear that the Dubois family is to blame for their latest family crisis, so when no one is willing to give up any information, Cookie takes matters into her own hands. Jamal and Lucious reach a breakthrough in a song on which they have been working, and Andre lashes out. Meanwhile, Cookie sets her eyes on a new plan for Empire in Vegas.
When Cookie is banned from Leviticus Vegas, she pulls together a team of her own allies to seek revenge on Giuliana and steal her secret weapon. Meanwhile, Jamal is encouraged to put his album on hold, so as not to compete with Lucious' "Inferno."
As Lucious gets ready to launch EMPIRE Las Vegas with Giuliana at his side, Cookie pulls together her own team of allies to wreak havoc on the opening. The final five minutes will leave viewers speechless in the second half.