Were you wondering whatever happened to Empire star Jussie Smollett‘s album? The 33-year-old California native signed a recording deal with Columbia in the midst of the hype surrounding the wildly successful 1st season of the soap opera musical.
Openly gay director Lee Daniels positioned Smollett to be a breakout star as the openly gay character Jamal Lyons.
But after Empire‘s hype died down in early 2016, Columbia executives realized Empire fans would not buy an album by a singing goat. So the decision was made to scrap the album.
According to a gossip source on Lipstickalley.com, Columbia Records can’t figure out what to do with the openly gay singer or his album.
Lipstickalley.com — Columbia is this close to scrapping the record deal before it even launches. Jussie submitted TWICE the awaited album since he got signed last year and execs were not the least impressed or happy with the work. Asked for a redo. The redo results were met with lukewarm to abort reactions. The conversation now is if it’s of any value to keep him as a recording solo artist when all chart or music work he’s had out was Empire related, and that spark he had once from the show ran its course. Basically they are reconsidering any release because Jussie doesn’t have enough star power or mass appeal to perform well on the charts.
Columbia executives realized Empire fans would not buy an album by a singing goat. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9d474cd435694d589aad5a7028fc1a4e67a3f98633d543745dc3606b44b4aeb5.gif
Singing goat? ??
I haven’t watched empire since they started casting all them damn celebs. ?
He look older in this pix.
I was waiting for the goat commenting. ? Leave Jussie Fenty alone. ???
The Entertainment Industry……They Just Build U Up….2….Tear U Down…
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1612c5bf7324ce15ac282aece8adb94936dcdcebd1d9a56dd6bff61a3172b30c.jpg
Do I need to put my crotch on my desk. I went to bedside Baptist yesterday and this right here is giving this ole gal unclean thoughts.
He seems like a cool person, but I have no interest in hearing him bleating on tracks.
You are right he looks like the dad from Moseha.
Anybody surprised? Do nobody want to hear 45+ minutes of him sounding like he representing the Lollipop Guild.
Ol’ munchkin on helium sounding ass.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e63f04bd5432c0cba079a08cb1199487557ed37c7ee6157e101c3fe7ad387a9e.gif
He does sound like a goat, never saw his appeal. That show is a stereotypical mess with a side order of Lee Daniels needs to fade away in the sunset like a crispy old vampire
What else he singing aside from the empire tracks?
LOLOL stop!
Empire done jumped the shark and has for awhile. LAST season.
Bah Bah Black Sheep?
Had a lot of promise, but eh…
His vocals are not the business and the Empire crew is slow in realizing that. If they were smart they wouldn’t showcase his billy goat singing as much as they do. Empire is hanging on by a thread in my house.
They ALL need to be auditioning for their new jobs they gonna need. it hasnt been renewed for a season 4 and it might not be. I think it gets announced in Jan
That thread been cut in my house. I catch the recaps now only. I may binge watch after the season is over.
Oh, word??? I didn’t know that. Haven’t been paying attention at all. I’m all for good Black tv shows, so I kinda hate for it to get cut, but on the other hand, it’s not as good as it was or could be.
If they were trying to make him a star off the show why didnt they release the album the first set of music they had…and in betwixt season uno and dos. Its never gonna happen now and it probably never will.
I only watch cause all my shows on winter break. The writing is better than season 2 but the performances need to be cut significantly.
Yep. Gotta strike while the iron is hot. The fact that they didn’t, either bad planning or the music really stinks.
I stopped watching midway through last season faithfully. Just caught it when I could. Watched it first episode to see who took a tumble.
I think some of those sex scenes were mad graphic to some folks. Then the stunt casting it was too much.
I mean…I wouldn’t buy his album or a single for that matter.
He should have put out his own single immediately following Empire, but Empire wanted him to push those show songs instead. Bad idea!!! He could have put two albums out by now and been done.
It’s just a harmless goat!
i know they announced it was going to be a season 3 last Jan…Im all for black shows too but they need a revamp and fast. Only but so many times Lucious is almost gonna die. Jamal mad at Lucious. Crazy son mad at Cookie. They all gang up on Lucious, Etc. they played those storylines out fast. Viewers like myself will get mad/bored and turn it to basketball or damn Unsung.
+1
Does anyone watch Pitch?
LMAO!!!
Whoo!
Thank y’all. I got my momma a purpa fitbit.
Now I need one more thing so I won’t get cussed out … lol
Yep. Has Star premiered? I’m only interested in looking at Lenny Kravitz for a few minutes.
I just started
I am mad that they have Cookie acting a fool with fine ass Taye Diggs. I thought she was a strong empowered woman? Now she all school girl silly biting her nails watching that ninja take his shirt of at a press conference. GIRL BYE!
Yaayyyyy!!!!! Come back and tell us how she likes it.
Will do!
I think it stinks. You are correct 100%. This is Columbia Records owned by Sony. Music heavy weights have been signed to them and have run the company. They for sure know what they are doing…
Yay!!!! I’m sure she’ll love it.
I dont think so. I am waiting on that one too many. Empire is a hell no for me
I think Empire was too extra in a lot of ways. I see where they were TRYING to go, but nah…didn’t always work.
I have nothing ..well , why jussie up there looking like he just sucked the skin of some meat …He got that nicca I told you my oral skills were fierce look .
It’s really good. I’m happy Zack Morris got a steady gig. He’s really good on that show.
I snorted this apple juice through my nose.
I can’t with you !
Agreed. I think a need for better writing has been a key from the start. It was pretty good in the beginning because of the novelty of the story, but I don’t think it found its stride like I thought it would. It’s like they had all the ingredients to be an A-1 show, but they didn’t figure everything out in enough time before folks lost interest.
Love it. Not a big fan of Ginny. Like the wife better.
Not Frank Mitchell. Im dead as hell
Aww. He has a really sweet spirit. I wish him the best.
I wanna know how he and Gabby Sidibe started kicking it, though.
This week at 9.
Kicking what?
Ginny is probably my least favorite character. The other characters make the show for me. I’m kinda disappointed that the writers made Ginny and Mike somewhat love interests. They should’ve left it as a brother-sister type of relationship.
Columbia is making a smart move all of Jussie’s music right now is owned by FOX. Columbia would be basically paying for scraps since he is singing every week on the show. Any song he would release would be confusion and since everybody know him as Jamal and not Jussie it would be a PR nightmare. Lol I can picture his album name ” I AM NOT JAMAL”…. hehehe
Right. But it seems all shows with a female male character do that. Will they? Won’t they?
Correct. Cause he STAYED being on XXX show for ONE season.
So I watched Married 2 Med. what’s wrong with Heavenly? Was she always this nasty?
Omg…????
Ima get Pamela on you!!
by a singing goat
——–
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8485e626c1ebfa1a039666b72a9e95ee46446c3f2e194038cfb7c786c90be921.gif
So who won the Brandy dolls? Monica?
You’re out of control today. You need some time off. ?
Yep most of his pilot shows fail after a couple episodes. I’m happy for him.
Look at David Stern. I AM SCREAMING
rut row….and why did you have to mention that Lee Daniels is gay?? That info has BEEN out there!
Glad it ain’t me.
fierce
^^^^^^^^^
*waits on BlogPam to pop up and say SEE… I told you that word was used by gays*
???????? Keke getting the business. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c30af9b8d28fc1d9748983328675ce7e82abd7e6892e91b65181ed92a6ea0e72.png
???? yassss hun , I guess she was right
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e003fd915ba644f0f0a01abaefb4e3c5139123482811b17f0dd7b116edbfeb27.gif
No ..please Dont
Shes a comin
He has star power. But Sandra’s right–that star power is so closely aligned with Empire that marketing him independently is risky, and labels don’t tend to spend substantial amounts of money on risky moves.
One major problem his label faces: Jussie Smollett had no music career to speak of before Empire. He’s not Usher or even Trey Songz: in other words, he’s not an act who has proven music sales outside of any broadcast TV or film production. And his musical skill set is limited. He sounds like he’s trying to imitate Michael Jackson and that’s never a winning formula and truthfully, his sound is not remarkable at all.
Traditionally, actors who launch music careers while their show is still on the air tend to have limited or only short term success. Need proof? Ask Ralph Carter AKA Michael Evans from GOOD TIMES.
On top of that, Jussie is typecast. From here on out, he’ll be Jamal Lyons.
http://www.ibtimes.com/keke-palmer-twitter-feud-mehgan-james-bad-girls-club-star-calls-scream-queens-actress-2458764
Im not sure who is to blame here but both need to STAHP
New post
What type of album would you do with and out of the closet singer???
Not sure mainstream would really embrace it.
I think keke said somethinkg about her 1st
Need proof? Ask Ralph Carter AKA Michael Evans from GOOD TIMES.
^^^^^^^^^^^
I agree with this. Jack Wagner. David Cassidy only hit big in the UK after the show went off. Few others.
Untrue. Out of the closet artists succeed regularly. Ever heard of Boy George, George Michael, RuPaul?
And, as far as black music goes, everybody knows that both Luther Vandross and Fredie Jackson are and were gay.
Now I do agree that its much harder for an openly gay black artist to thrive in traditionally black music–i.e., R&B, Ne-Soul; Hip Hop–HOWEVER, Jussie is actually a Pop artist. The problem isn’t his sexuality–the problem is his sound and his artist persona. He’s not independently attractive for any serious record label.
Yep. It started bc She called Meg a hater. Meg shoulda hit her wit this gif.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ff2e7be04291cd886ba0e3ba705f0bf10e68c074baa03d8f162522580d0ae098.gif
??????
Git!!
Whispers Keith Washington
But i love him
This is my most commonly used gif for the rest of 2016 and until prolly around Feb. Thanks to bf baby cuz.
LOL…Not gonna go there. But there’s lots of gays in the biz and on the charts too. If the person is an artist, and they are successful, and people keep whispering….then the truth is there.
As far as entertainment goes, its often the case that any widespread gay rumor you hear has some basis in truth.
Frank Ocean is gay and people still seem to support his music.
Yes, I’ll kindly show you the door every time…lmao
His vibrato is PAINFUL to listen to. His voice is decent, but all that extra he does is shameful.
Wow…who is this chick dragging KeKe?? Doesn’t she know it’s the athletes responsibility to disclose his STD status… and how do you know this anyway Mad chick?? She must have fell victim too
I think its the other way around.
She has always been shady in her confessionals but she has taken it new a whole new level. I can’t take Lisa Nicole’s slow green ass. She boils my water with her naiveté.
Oh I see now…it’s “Obama’s niece” from bad girls club and BBW…yeah she’s probably speaking from personal experience
Nasty
She’s always thrown shade but seems to be doing a little more to keep her seat on the show…anything for ratings
So glad you posted this Sandra. I was talking to an industry friend the other day and he mentioned a name from the past: Tevin Campbell. Back in the early 2000s, that fella was a hot potato. Now, everybody knew Tevin was gay, even when he was a kid. Warner Brothers gave up trying to hide it but they should have just embraced it.
When that scandal broke, I remember hearing that the chick from SWV was crying because they had a track together that was doing well but tanked overnight. They had planned on doing more music together had things went well.
I told power players back then that Tevin needed to acknowledge he was gay and rebuild from there. Go Pop, and go on the offensive. Talk to the press–they certainly wanted to talk to him. PUT IT OUT THERE AND MOVE ON. They thought I was cray. They were worried some artists wouldn’t work with him and the label felt his image of young innocence didn’t correspond to gay hookups. However, had they listened, he would now be viewed as a pioneer because no one ever believed Tevin wasn’t gay anyway. He could have flourished but instead he floundered—and mightily so.
And he could have led a revolution that ended up leaving him behind.
This made me cackle.
They were trying make him tri-sexual. Which means they were trying to make him look sexually attractive to men and women at the same time. When the word got out earlier that he may not return women around here saying/fainting no, no, no Jessie is the show and he can sing. I was like no he is not the show and NO he can’t sing. All of that inspirational type music gets real ole real quick.
They hang out and appear to be really good friends
Lol
Gryl whoever put them 3 red drapery tiebacks from Burlington Coat Factory last week around Cookie’s neck needs to have their azz whupped. I had to look at my curtains to see did anyone from his staff took one of mine’s. I was like really.
I cant stand the way he sound either….
Alvin and the chipmucks….
Tevin Campbell, Teddy Pendergrass, Little Richard ?, Jaheim, Eddie Kendricks, Johnny Gill, Ush..?
Always thought he was a bit overrated.
He can hold a note, but by no means is he a singer! And Empire should be on it’s last season , I no I have totally lost interest!
Or Jasmine Guy.
They’re best friends.
Taraji is the show. If Taraji ever decided that she didn’t want to do Empire anymore, those ratings will drop as fast as a whore’s panties. People tune in for Cookie not Jamal gay ass.
His vocals stinks
Jussie should just stick to acting. Why buy his music when we can hear him warble for free on t.v.???
I think Jussie is in his 30’s
His younger sister Jurnee always been the favorite Smollett. I love her show Underground
Frank Ocean is different tho
His voice is freaking awful, don’t care. Every time he sang on Empire it made me cringe badly. Wish him the best in his acting career, but please don’t offed people with your bleeting ??
And all of his Empire songs sound the same to me.
Teddy Pendergrass wasn’t gay.
I like Jussie but his voice is acquired taste and his songs on Empire are not that great either.
I’m sick of hearing daddy don’t love me songs.
They embraced Frank Ocean!!
How is he different? He’s a black, gay male!!
You did not just put Teddy P. on this list!! Don’t put jackets on people you don’t want to wear!!
Didn’t he came out after his album came out??? And his second album didn’t make much noise after that
I felt ackward finding out after the album camenout he was talking about a man
I hope he wins!! It’s enough that the people at the label don’t support. By the looks of these posts, the people in his community don’t support him either!! Good luck Jussie!!
I love that song him and Mariah did. I thought it would blow up!
So this is not the fault of a single mama? Ok, great
I meant to say that artist comes out AFTER the album is already out.
Ellen came out AFTER she had a great show.
All these other artist came out of the closet after…
This guy came out way before as if he will only aim one type of listeners
Which community is that?
Black
Blacks can’t be expected to support every single person whether they’re good or not,,,shame man
not a ??????
LGTB should support him as well.
Who was in the car with him the night he had his accident. Was it Frank or Judy.
That was the only song of his I liked
Phylicia is doing her part. Love her.
Empire should let go of him too. His acting & singing suck.
So because he was “bi” you’re giving him a pass?
Oh?!
Right. I don’t care if he’s gay, black or orange. He’s just not as talented as they hyped him up
Yawnnnn with the blonde haired Beyoncish gryt in the middle next. Been there done that. The only dark skinned woman that was in the middle and became famous is Diana Ross.
He does sound like a lamb or goat.
Exactly
Bloop.
Lol
Empire overall sucks and has very little direction.
Empire overall sucks and has very little direction.
Not surprised but sad for him as nobody wants to lose deals.
Not surprised but sad for him as nobody wants to lose deals.
Jurnee’s husband can saaaaaaaang tho!!!!!! I was like WHY is he not on there but he’s a behind the scenes writer
Jurnee’s husband can saaaaaaaang tho!!!!!! I was like WHY is he not on there but he’s a behind the scenes writer
Was Luther really gay?
He do sound like a goat.
A singing goat ???
I just can’t ?? she terrible
everybody can’t be Donald glover/childish Gambino. bc when he’s on tv I can easily separate him from his music persona
I’m sure she’ll love it!
maaaaaan but nobody did it better than Benson and Stabler. I’m STILL waiting for a cameo of him to swoop in and get it on with Olivia LOL even my dad was like “wtf they was supposed to be together?!?!?!” when they wrote Stabler off the show. boy, SVU fans everywhere lost they damn minds lol
We have the Tang mascot running the world. White people support their own! Gay, dumb, relentless…They fall in line. I’m supporting mine also!!
I was done Season 2 Ep 3 lmfao
Maybe you but not everybody else. People call him Jamal in interviews forgetting his name. You may be checking for him harder then the average person…
So in the whole world there’s no struggly white artist?
I totally agree. Started with Sandra!!!
Riff Raff
Riff Raff
Riff Raff
The whole “Empire” franchise is an over-hyped, horribly-written mess. I love Taraji, though. I like Jussie, he’s a brave and conscientious black man, we need more like him. I wish him the best BUT you’d have to pay me to listen to him sing. He needs to play to his strengths and maximize his 15 minutes.
You did not say Eddie Kendricks! Grandma, is that you?
Nah, Suga!???
True, but in their videos they were singing to women. He’s gonna be singing to a man so maybe people are uncomfortable about that.
I barely want to hear him sing on the show
I barely want to hear him sing on the show
Ppl still watch empire ?? Let’s talk about the second season of secret and lies where Michael Ealy brought his A game I hope there’s a third season they gone have to top this one cus I sure enjoyed it
Anytime I see him near a piano and he opens his mouth, I’m gone to the bathroom or to take out the trash.
Taye’s not my taste and neither is Idris Elba but the latter actor would make more sense. TD is an itty bitty dude with a high voice. Put Idris in a suit and the Brit accent…yeah.
Secrets and Lies!!!!! YES
That show is sooooo good! The FINALE was one of the best…Daddy had another family..I did not see that coming! And his sister…WOW
I’m weeks behind and have no interest to catch up. Same thing happened with How to Get Away With Murder. The competition is stiff in the TV world.
I guess there’s no need for me to watch it now. Thanks for ruining the ending. Sigh. There’s always one.
Peter Piper, you are so insightful, and I don’t say this just because of this post. I read your posts and you can tell you are wise. Regarding this post, you are so right. You see what happened once George Michael got caught in the bathroom soliciting that undercover officer, he said fugg it, stopped the shenanigans, embraced it, and his career continued with his musical legacy is still intact.
Yes I watch Empire and it’s much much better. More soap opera, more about the family and all the backstabbing and cray-cray. In fact Cookie is coming off as the sane one in the family.
Anyway about Jussie — he’s 32. If he hadn’t made it in the music business before this time, he won’t make it. He never showed up on anybody’s radar before Empire. So Columbia is right not to invest in him.
The music recording biz is dying anyway. Notice that most “singers” are now on Broadway, Vegas, on TV shows or the movies. They have to “diversify” to keep the coins rolling.
Empire this season is sooooo much better than before. It’s more “dynasty” and “dallas”, a real soap opera IMO.
Exactly! He almost ruined my soul with that singing smfh #dontcare
It’s gone beyond old now, we get it. You’re gay and yo pappy don’t like you. You weren’t hugged enough as a kid yada-yada lol
Lol!! I change the channel.
I’ve had a couple of singers get shelved. It’s not unusual. I always suggest a singer try to learn to compose and understand production. There’s not a lot of money in just singing anymore. A singer has an unreasonable tour schedule. I put my nephews onto production and they write the songs. Jussie had no depth as a vocalist. He had a flexible tenor voice that wanes onto monotony. Don’t know who his coach is. They didn’t earn their pay because in even 6 mos. he should’ve grown his craft.
Singing goat! Girl you have me in tears!
I don’t even know Jussie the hussy.
Yes Baby I was left speechless I honestly thought the drunk brother did it man listen when I told u I tuned in for every episode and was ever left disappointed cus all the tea was being spilled scene after scene. The first season was good too but this one topped it. I really hope ABC renew it
Daddy ain’t shit btw lmao but at least them biracial kids are educated unlike their all white brother who felt he was entitled to the money and while I’m at it Mandy baby father ain’t shit either he just disappeared lmaoo
Regardless of what ppl say an openly ghey man in the music business is still being shunned they ain’t fooling me just ask frank ocean and Neyo
Regardless of what ppl say an openly ghey man in the music business is still being shunned they ain’t fooling me just ask frank ocean and Neyo
Regardless of what ppl say an openly ghey man in the music business is still being shunned they ain’t fooling me just ask frank ocean and Neyo
lmbo Amen!
Because they can’t decided who’d be buying his album. Most likely NOT the ever-loyal BW …not Bm, LOL and not wp. So he has no audience. If they thought he could make money they’d be pimping his music, strictly a biz deal.
They need a new fashion director because they don’t dress as pretty they did first session.
Well there’s still interest. Even Gaga released her album for $2 once just so it would sell. He’ll probably make more money touring anyway.
He sure does sound like Billy the Goat.
All I need is still in heavy rotation. Omg I loved Frisco.
Who?
ones vocal capability has little to do with creating a star. there are many stars with voices people don’t necessarily herald as supreme examples of vocal prowess. what’s important is having a unique voice and a unique sound. rihanna is not a good singer at all, but her voice is different than what’s onUS radio so it stands out. also, she has great songwriters. jussie has a bit of star appeal, he’s very charismatic and is likeable to most people. it’s just harnessing it in the right avenue. i agree with you about the song writing and production, however.
i did not like secrets and lies. at least this season. i thought season one was a bit better but even that one grew boring. the series itself reminds me of a long drawn out lifetime film with only slightly better acting. ealy and phillipe’s characters both do actions that requires one to suspend their sense of reality far too often for my tastes. as a rational person, i couldn’t logically understand why ealys character continued to go to detective whoseherface when he was told not to. just seemed more as a plot device to move the story along more than anything and a cheap one at that.
“Columbia executives realized Empire fans would not buy an album by a singing goat”
I have said that SOOOOO many times!!! ROFL!!!
they should have rushed to drop his album in season 1 when the show was all it. now ppl have jumped ship cause the show is all over the place.
But Frank Ocean just had one of the biggest first week sales of the year as an independent artist and his album was a digital only release.
Drop Empire next
I didn’t like that song. What a waste of a good Mariah Carey collaboration.
Frank’s style of music is different and before he publicly came out, he already had a well-established fan base. People didn’t know who Jussie was. The only Smollett that people knew was his younger sister Jurnee who have been in the business since she was a child.
This is where the LGBTDFSAP, should come and support him. You know there is a letter for anyone who feels God made a mistake. Rescue him, isn’t that what your community do, rescue people so they don’t fall down, and shove your life agenda and now his music down our throats (No pun intended).
not sure if his music and the music he sings on the show is intertwined but the first season’s were fire …. not anymore so much
I think they use a completely diff cast every season…so season two may not feature Michael Ealy…
Never. Terrence Howard signed a 7 year contract.
See? You get it!
He’s annoying af.
Lol…… they should change the name to this blog two-haters head quarters Sandra what do you mean first season the show is still going on strong can’t say the same about 50 Cent throwing Tantrums over the drug everyday drug story power…. #foh you are supposedly a journalist I thought they said you are supposed to stay neutral?????
Exactly they so mad
There is music every season plus an album….. the music on the show gets played on the radio what are you talking about
Ohhh dang I thought you knew….
When people ON A BLOG ….are talking about a show…they may give away the ending…
My bad….LOLLLLLL