Month: March 2016

Next up in our Empire Season 2 recap-o-rama is Hakeem Lyon, who has quite a tumultuous year. The youngest Lyon child supported his mother Cookie’s new record label Lyon Dynasty, got a taste of producing while trying to led the girl band Mirage a Trois, and he had some crises, too. Hakeem learned that getting involved in his father’s old flames (ahem, Anika) is not recommended and sometimes you just gotta do things yourself — with or without the Lyon last name.

Here’s your reminder of what Hakeem has been up to on Empire Season 2.

Hakeem Lyon On Empire Season 2 So Far

Hakeem got caught in the Empire vs. Lyon Dynasty crossfire, but eventually decided to join Cookie on Team Lyon Dynasty. Especially since his mom was offering him the opportunity to do more than just rap — he got to create his own girl band, Mirage a Trois. But it wasn’t easy sailing at first. The band’s first lead singer Valentina jumped ship to Empire after a tempting offer from Lucious, which screwed over Hakeem. It’s okay, though, because then Hakeem finds an even better lead singer in Laura, with whom he will eventually fall in love.

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Hakeem gets kidnapped and beaten during Lyon Dynasty’s security troubles and it leaves him traumatizes and unable to perform (on stage, ahem). He turns to Anika for a bit, giving her the wrong idea about their relationship. Too bad Anika is pregnant with his child, but he doesn’t know that yet. In fact, when Anika tries to tell him the news, Hakeem friend-zones her and she decides to keep it as her little secret.

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The Empire vs. Lyon Dynasty rivalry turns into one between rappers Hakeem and Freda, which turns into a rap battle. At the end, Hakeem decides to drop the name Lyon and stand on his own. Lucious tries to lure his youngest son back to Empire despite that, but Hakeem turns him down.

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And then Hakeem’s former lover Camilla returned and took over Empire, ousting Lucious. Talk about drama!

Next up in our Empire Season 2 recap series is the one and only Cookie Lyon. The Empire Queen took her throne to her new label Lyon Dynasty and found a lovah — because Cookie’s gotta get her cookies, too. It was a run that earned actress Taraji P. Henson many award nominations and an unforgettable win at the Golden Globe Awards in January.

But it hasn’t been an easy Season 2 for Cookie. Let’s recall what happened to Cookie in Empire Season 2 so far.

Cookie Lyon On Empire Season 2 So Far

Cookie arranges a #FreeLucious concert to kick off the season, which makes some powerful statements on the stage. But later, the past comes back to haunt her when Frank Gathers threatens her from jail, but Lucious gets him, ahem, taken care of. Jamal stays at Empire, so Cookie starts Lyon Dynasty with Hakeem, Andre, and of all people, Anika. But Cookie kicks out Boo Boo Kitty, because come on! Like Cookie is going to trust her.

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Once Lucious is released from jail, he and Cookie try to make amends many times, but fail. She gets wrongfully arrested, but Cookie uses the situation to sabotage Lucious’ satellite radio deal. Cookie decides to plan “Cookie’s Cookout” for Lyon Dynasty along with new body guard boy toy Laz, but still Thirsty Rawlings tries to steal the masters from Cookie.

Cookie and Laz consummate their relationship — a lot — but Hakeem has a bad feeling about this guy and with good reason. It turns out Laz runs with the crew that abducted Hakeem earlier in the season. Buh-bye Laz.

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Later on, Cookie’s sister Candace turns up to seek out their other sister Carol, who has disappeared on a drug bender.  But Cookie’s Cookout does happen, at her old prison. When Lucious is ousted from Empire by Mimi Whiteman and Camilla, Cookie comforts him.

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What does the rest of Season 2 hold for Cookie? We shall see.