Jussie Smollett

American singer/songwriter Jussie Smollett became an actor at a young age, later becoming best known for his role on the television series Empire. Before he was a teenager, he appeared in The Mighty Ducks and had a small role in the television mini-series adaptation of Alex Haley’s Queen. During the mid-’90s, he co-starred with his siblings on the sitcom On Our Own. He took an extended break from the entertainment industry and resurfaced toward the tail-end of the 2000s, with an appearance on The Mindy Project a highlight of his return. A few years later, when Smollett landed the role of R&B artist Jamal Lyon for Fox’s musical drama series Empire, he was in the process of recording an album in his home studio. The welcomed disruption placed him at the fore of ratings success. During the program’s first season, some of the original songs he fronted, including “Keep Your Money” and “You’re So Beautiful,” reached the Top 50 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Near the end of Empire’s first season, it was announced that Smollett signed a real-life recording contract with Columbia, the label that released Empire’s music. A half-dozen Empire soundtrack compilations would be released before his solo debut was issued in early 2018. Sum of My Music featured the single “Catch Your Eye” with Swizz Beatz and “Freedom.” ~ Andy Kellman