In the world of hip hop music, Lucious Lyon is the king. A former street thug, he rose through the ranks by utilizing his talents to become a successful artist and the CEO of Empire Entertainment. But being on top is short lived for Lucious after he is diagnosed with a disease that will cripple him in as little as three years.

With the clock ticking, he must devote his time to grooming one of his sons to take over his crowning achievement, but must make sure not to destroy his already-fractured family.

Lucious has a favorite son in Hakeem, his youngest and a gifted but spoiled musician. Jamal is the middle son who is a musical prodigy but shies away from the spotlight. The eldest son, Andre, is the intelligent and educated CFO of Empire Entertainment, but he lacks the charisma that is crucial to running the company.

As the Lyons vie for the empire, an emotional struggle begins that will either redeem or destroy the family.