Singer/Songwriter Alicia Keys guest-starred in “Sinned Against,” the latest episode of FOX’s Empire. Keys plays Skye Summers, a multi-platinum record selling “girl power pop” star. Teaming up with Jamal (Jussie Smollett), the two are collaborating on a record for Empire Music – the “Black and White” album. The song featured is taken directly from recent headlines in your local newspaper or your favorite news website’s homepage – the Black Lives Matter theme is strong - “I matter. You matter.”
It’s the era of change. There’s a nod to Malcolm X turning in his grave and Martin’s speech, along with mothers burying children. A little anti-gun message is sprinkled in – the only thing shooting is stars. And most importantly, a command to stand up. What’s a movement without activists?
But the real shock came at the end of the passionate duet:
Skye: ♪♪ Where skin don't define any human ♪♪ ♪♪ And stars are the only thing shooting ♪♪ ♪♪ Shooting ♪♪ ♪♪ Oh, oh, oh-oh ♪♪
Jamal: ♪♪ Mothers who burry their child ♪♪ ♪♪ How can we sit there and hide? ♪♪ ♪♪ Change comes when all take a stand now ♪♪ ♪♪ Stand up, stand up ♪♪
♪♪ Martin's speech still echoes in my brain ♪♪
Skye: ♪♪ Every shade was beautifully made ♪♪
both: ♪♪ And powerful ♪♪
Skye: ♪♪ There's so much strength in you and me ♪♪
Both: ♪♪ Powerful ♪♪ ♪♪ a breath away from victory ♪♪ ♪♪ I matter, you matter ♪♪
♪♪ We matter, oh ♪♪
♪♪ Powerful... ♪♪ ♪♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪♪♪♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh ♪♪
♪♪ Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh, oh-oh-oh ♪♪
(in harmony): ♪♪ Powerful ♪♪
Skye: ♪♪ There's so much strength in you and me ♪♪
♪♪ Powerful ♪♪
♪♪ a breath away from victory ♪♪
Both: (in harmony): ♪♪ I matter, you matter ♪♪ ♪♪ We matter, oh ♪♪ ♪♪ I matter, you matter ♪♪
♪♪ We matter, oh ♪♪
♪♪ Powerful. ♪♪ (song ends)Skye: Oh. Wow! I love it.
Jamal: I love it. (Laughs)
Jamal: Wow.
How’s that for a story twist? Jamal, who has been portrayed as a gay man, kisses Skye at the end of their duet. And they both liked it. What?!
This week’s episode featured a bonus big name star appearance – uber-liberal celebrity feminist Rosie O’Donnell. Rosie plays Pepper, a drug dealing baker and former prison mate of Cookie (Taraji P. Hanson) who turns to Pepper for help in tracking down her druggie little sister in Philadelphia.
Cookie: ...to talk to me about later, okay?
Lucious: Wait, wait, wait, wait...!
Cookie: Damn, Pepper, it took you long enough to hit me back. Girl, you still rocking a pager?
Pepper: Someone has to make the muffins, honey. Baker's hours are no joke.
Cookie: Come here! Aw... Oh, my goodness! Aw, so good!
Pepper: Damn, Cookie, you look like a million bucks.
Cookie: Just a million, huh? I must be slipping.
Pepper: Nah, you're keeping it firm, honey. I remember you making us all do laps around the yard, right? Correctional cardio, baby. You in the yard, keeping them all skinny.
Cookie: And you in the kitchen, keeping them thick.
Both: Baddest bitches on the block. (Both laughing)
Pepper: Hi. Uh, why don't we go in the kitchen?
Cookie: How you doing?
Pepper: Wait till you see what I got. Oh, here it is, mommy, right there.
Cookie: All right, now, Miss Betty Crocker, I knew you could burn in the kitchen, but what else you got cooking in these back rooms?
Pepper: I have no idea what you're insinuating. Just a bunch of little bakers... Baking. So I asked around about your sister. MMM. She's hanging out with Boz. Has been for a couple months.
Cookie: That little skinny bitch that likes to beat women.
Pepper: That would be him.
Cookie: Yeah, I got it from here.
Pepper: Listen, ain't no way Boz's crew's gonna talk to you. Not like the way they talk to me. I'm coming with you.
Will the power of the Black Lives Matter Movement turn Jamal straight, or maybe bi-sexual? Will Rosie help Carol get clean in rehab?
Stay tuned.
