‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett Lands Deal with Columbia Records

Jussie Smollett’s starring role on new hip-hop based drama Empire has landed him a recording contract at Columbia Records.

The former child star, who portrays Terrence Howard’s musician son Jamal Lyon on the hit TV series, reveals he is starting work on a solo project and he is hoping to recruit his onscreen dad and Empire songwriter and producer Timbaland for collaborations.

He tells Entertainment Weekly, “There will be a Jussie Smollett album. I signed to Columbia. So darling, I’m label mates with Beyonce and Adele and Barbra Streisand…

“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 (hip-hop producer) Jim Beanz. We’ve all talked and they’re all down to work on it.”

The album will be Smollett’s first. The 31-year-old previously released an EP, titled The Poisoned Hearts Club, in 2012.

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