Empire: Season 2, Vol. 2 [Original Soundtrack]

The second soundtrack from the second season of Fox's hit drama Empire collected songs from the eight episodes spanning the midseason return in March 2016 to the May finale. On Season 2, Vol. 2, there are some new additions to the familiar Empire sound crafted by Timbaland, Ne-Yo, J.R. Rotem, and Swizz Beatz. Profanity is included for the first time on these soundtracks with Bryshere "Yazz" Gray's "Got That Work." Girl trio Mirage a Trois contributes a sparkling midtempo banger with "Crown" and Serayah injects vulnerability to the breezy dance number "Body Speak." For the third collection in a row, Jussie Smollett is the MVP, elevating each song with his effortless voice, from the funky Prince/Michael Jackson jam "Freedom" to the plaintive duet with Bre-Z "Shine on Me." ~ Neil Z. Yeung