《嘻哈帝國》 音樂界也有宮鬥劇

Within the past few years, a number of US actors and actresses have migrated their talents from the big screen onto television sets, with the result being shows that frequently deliver a higher caliber of entertainment. Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson shine in True Detective, Kevin Spacey channels Sun Tzu in House of Cards, and Glenn Close redefined the meaning of “shrewd” in Damages. Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Iron Man, Crash) is the latest star to pursue success on the small screen, and with Empire, he accomplishes this transition with ease.

過去數年間，美國有一大批演員將表演陣地從大銀幕轉到了電視熒幕上，憑藉自己的表演天賦，不斷拉高電視劇的水準。其中，既有在美劇《真探》中大放光彩的馬修•麥康納與伍迪•哈里森，也有在《紙牌屋》中玩轉“孫子兵法”的凱文•史派西，還有在《以法之名》裏重新定義了“八面玲瓏”的格倫•克洛斯。最近，曾出演《川流熙攘》、《鋼鐵俠》、《撞車》等影片的泰倫斯•霍華德也加入了電視劇的表演行列，在美劇《嘻哈帝國》中擔綱主演；不過，這種“轉型”對他簡直是輕而易舉。

Howard plays Lucious Lyon, the ailing head of a wildly successful record label whose criminal past haunts his present. With death looming heavy over his head, Lucious must decide which of his three princeling sons will assume his place on the throne. But the decision becomes more complicated once Lucious’ scheming ex-wife and business partner (Taraji P. Henson) is released from prison.

霍華德在劇中飾演的盧修斯•里昂是一家唱片巨頭的大老闆，但他身患重病、飽受過去罪行的困擾。當死亡離他越來越近，盧修斯不得不在他三個年幼的兒子中選出一個人，繼承他的“帝位”。盧修斯詭計多端的前妻也是他曾經的合夥人（塔拉吉•P•漢森 飾）卻在此時刑滿出獄，使情況變得更加錯綜複雜……

Empire’s already potent dose of melodrama is strengthened by stellar performances from both Howard and Henson. Cookie, Henson’s character, steals each and every scene that she’s in, and Howard gives a strong performance as a cutthroat, calculating and intensely homophobic record executive. Henson and Howard’s characters play off of each other fluidly, with each bringing out both the best and the worst in each other.

霍華德與漢森一流的演技更是讓《嘻哈帝國》這部實力派音樂劇錦上添花。漢森飾演的琦琦在每一幕中可謂搶足鏡頭，而霍華德則將這個殘酷、工於心計、嚴重恐同的CEO演繹得淋漓盡致。兩人角色間的你來我往更是酣暢淋漓，將各自的光明與陰暗面一一呈現出來。

In addition to holding its own as a drama, Empire’s musical elements also manage to impress. Two of Lucious’ sons are gifted with creative talent, one as a singer and the other as a hip hop artist. Whoever writes the lyrics for the two’s performances deserves tremendous credit. Choosing to include musical performances in a show is a risky move, as there’s always the danger that the songwriting will come across as cheesy. With Empire, the songs are convincing, so much so that they sound much like anything that might be played on the average US radio station.

除了劇情，《嘻哈帝國》的音樂元素也令人印象深刻。劇中，盧修斯有兩個兒子極具創作天賦，一個做了歌手，一個是嘻哈藝人。而不論是誰爲這二人填詞，都值得大獲讚賞。其實，在劇中加入音樂表演並非保險之舉，因爲專門爲劇寫歌可能會顯得不自然。但是《嘻哈帝國》中的歌曲卻極具說服力，每首歌聽上去都像是可以在美國電臺播放的。

Created by six-time Oscar nominated producer, director and actor Lee Daniels (Precious, Monster’s Ball), it’s no wonder Empire is so entertaining. The show blends drama and music together to create a genuinely original and compelling tale of familial conflict.

《嘻哈帝國》由六獲奧斯卡提名的製作人、導演兼演員李•丹尼斯親自操刀編劇（《珍愛》《死囚之舞》也是他的作品），其娛樂性自是不言而喻。該劇將劇情與音樂完美結合，打造出一個新穎獨特、扣人心絃的豪門爭鬥故事。