While Fox's Emmy-nominated musical drama, Empire is currently a shell of its former self, one thing we can all still get behind is the talent of its stars — especially Jussie Smollett, who plays the beloved Jamal Lyon.
It's even easier to root for Smollett offscreen because he is a much better artist than the one he famously portrays. If you don't believe us, just check out the impressive video for "Hurt People" — the third single off his debut album, Sum of My Music.
On the track, Smollett sings about how people who are hurt and broken tend to do the most damage to others. "Hurt people hurt people/They don't even try/We all go through things in our lives/That don't make shit all right", he sings on the hook.
The video, which was directed by Smollett himself, was shot in Johannesburg and Soweto with an all-black South African labour force. According to Smollett, the moment he completed the song, he knew he wanted to shoot the entire video in South Africa.
Speaking to Billboard about the inspiration
behind the video, Smollett said:
"I hope and pray this visual will both entertain and inspire. The theme of tolerance and love was completely inspired by Nelson Mandela.
[It was also inspired by] the triumphant spirit of the people of South Africa and all African nations that lives within all of us regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.
This is an anthem for every person that is ready to break the cycle of hurt people hurting people."
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