Black celebrities in America have always walked a precarious line between their perceived status as spokespersons for their race and their own individual success -and between being "not black enough" for the black community or "too black" to appeal to a broader audience. Few know this tightrope walk better than Kanye West, who transformed hip-hop, pop and gospel music, redefined fashion, married the world's biggest reality TV star and ran for president, all while becoming one of only a handful of black billionaires worldwide. Despite these accomplishments, his polarizing behavior, controversial alliances and bouts with mental illness have made him a caricature in the media and a disappointment among much of his fanbase. This book examines West's story and what it reveals about black celebrity and identity and the American dream.

In 2015 FOX's Empire became a worldwide phenomenon shattering records for a new primetime black television series with 15 million viewers weekly, dominating social media, and being hailed as the savior of mainstream television. With its unique depictions of the family, the music industry, feminism, masculinity, LGBTQ issues, race, mental illness, and the American Dream, Empire, a hip-hopera inspired by Shakespeare's King Lear and the 1980s soap opera Dynasty, is at the forefront of a renaissance in black popular culture. Its success sparked a revolution in new programming created by and starring African-Americans between 2015 and 2017. Nevertheless, Empire is the most polarizing television series in the black community. Is Empire shifting paradigms with its depiction of blackness or promoting destructive stereotypes? This critical study analyzes the multifaceted issues presented in Empire's first three seasons from an interdisciplinary perspective. It assesses Empire's role in the evolution of black images on television and other mediums of popular culture by examining past and present diverse bodies of literature and media, analytical data, and discussions on respectability. Finally, it evaluates Empire's influence on black empowerment in Hollywood and the potency of these images in American race relations today.