Jussie Smollett and Yazz the Greatest, who play brothers Jamal and Hakeem on Fox’s “Empire,” appeared on “American Idol” Thursday to perform the song “No Apologies” from the show’s Season 1 soundtrack.
Host Ryan Seacrest announced just before the pair hit the stage that the show’s soundtrack had just hit No. 1 on the digital charts.
The crowd, who could barely wait to start cheering for Smollett and Yazz, were already on their feet before the song even started.
Yazz worked the crowd into a frenzy with his rapid fire rap skills before Smollett appeared and put his smooth vocal styling on display for the song’s chorus.
“Idol” judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, and Harry Connick Jr. retired from their usual seats right near the stage and watched the performance from the balcony with the audience.
The hit soundtrack is just the latest in a rapidly-expanding list of accolades for “Empire,” which has continued to break ratings records since it debuted.
Watch the video here.