You know what Fifty don’t got, Taraji P. Henson. And she’s worth more than a dollar.

Spice is an aromatic or pungent substance used to add flavor. Taraji is a spice. I don’t know what to call the spice. I know that it’s black and goes good with everything. Empire is a tale of a modern family, minus the suburbs a la musical drug kingdoms.

Or was it a queendom?

Cookie (Henson) and Lucious, played by Terrence Howard has three sons; who all will seek claim to their families musical dynasty. Each son has his own unique talent and/or business acumen as well as estranged relationship with their parents.

I haven’t watched a pilot episode in a long time that was this engaging. In less than 30 minutes, I was persuaded into watching episode two. Most times it takes three episodes, to hook me.

It has the finesse and trimmings of black culture, but not completely as we expect. It has themes fit for Shakespeare and new age drama with material that will become viewer’s guilty, juicy obsession. I can see critics already speaking on lack of originality and how Hip Hop doesn’t sell—better known as there’s no market for blackness. But they’ll watch it.

Fox’s “Empire” is co-created by Lee Daniels (“Precious” and “The Butler”) and Danny Strong (“The Butler” and “Hunger Games: Mockingjay”). Malik Yoba is back on the small screen. Timbaland is the shows songwriter and song producer. The cast has its share of up and coming actors such as Trai Bryers, Bryshere Gray and Jussie Smollett.

Brilliantly, we get to pick sides. Do you want Cookie to prevail or Lucious?

My money is on Taraji.