Three months after his arrest, Lucious tries to run Empire Entertainment while in federal lockup; Cookie stages a star-studded concert in support of Lucious while Andre, Hakeem, Anika and Mimi Whiteman attempt a hostile takeover.

Despite their feud, the Lyons decide to collaborate on a project that will benefit both companies; Lucious wants to make Vernon disappear.

Cookie and Anika work with Laz to throw an event to launch their company, showcase their artists and premiere a song written by Hakeem; Jamal works on his music with Ne-Yo; Hakeem begins a relationship.

Cookie and Lucious have to work together to protect their children; Jamal wants to get back into the studio; Andre discovers a disciple.

Lucious considers a partnership with Jago, the founder of a streaming music company; Andre must achieve a delicate balance between his new values and his career; Hakeem tries to turn Laura into a star.

Lucious releases a rap by Freda, which causes Hakeem to issue a rap-battle challenge; Cookie's sister visits; Jamal tries to land a big sponsorship deal; Anika receives life-altering news.

A former prison mate helps Cookie and her sister, Candace a deep connection forms when Jamal works with a critically acclaimed pop star; Cookie makes a discovery about Laz.

Lucious makes a reckless move that could jeopardize everything; Cookie plans a concert at the prison where she was incarcerated for 17 years.

Lucious declares he will do anything to regain his power, but Cookie has her own ideas; a major tragedy changes the lives of the Lyon family.

Camilla sinks her claws into Hakeem, the acting Empire CEO, while the rest of the Lyon family members try to get him back on their side; Jamal gets backlash from his fans; Rhonda and Andre's marriage is tested.

Tensions rise between Lucious and his sons; Lucious recreates a traumatic interaction with his mother for a new music video; Tiana and Laura fight to be spotlighted during the Mirage a Trois tour.

Lucious releases his video and tries to maneuver his way back into the CEO position at Empire; Andre learns about his grandmother's mental illness as a way to better understand his own struggle; Anika makes a revelation.

Lucious holds a fundraiser as part of a campaign to prove he should return as Empire's CEO; Hakeem considers whether or not to be a father to Anika's child.

The discovery of a dark secret throws a wrench into Lucious' deeply personal music video about his mother; secret affairs compromise Hakeem and Jamal; Rhonda thinks she knows the identity of her attacker.

Hakeem struggles to find a place for his fiancé, Laura, in his career and family; Cookie reveals the truth about Freda's father to Jamal; Jamal makes a sacrifice for Lucious.