Timbaland will not serve as music supervisor for #EmpireSeason3, being replaced by Rodney Jerkins and Ester Dean

There are many reasons as to why “Empire” has had so much success over the past year and nine months. First and foremost, the cast, crew, and production have made it happen. But, their choice to work directly with music heavyweights has also been a winning factor.

Timbaland has been involved since the inception of “Empire,” providing the music. His beats are evident, especially in the music from Jamal (Jussie Smollett). In season two, Timbaland made his onscreen debut and he was working with Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray).

Even with Timbaland’s assistance, Hakeem didn’t take Empire from Lucious (Terrence Howard) until Camilla (Naomi Campbell) returned and it was short-lived. Now, the music department of “Empire” has decided to relieve Timbaland of his duties, replacing him with Rodney Jerkins and Ester Dean replacing him, as Shawn Holiday, the senior VP of A&R at “Empire’s” label, Columbia Records, decided it was time to go in a different direction