"Empire" is known for its rapid-fire storytelling, insane plot twists and Taraji P. Henson's overall fierceness. But the hit primetime hip-hop soap just wouldn't be the same without the music.

Rapper and legendary producer Timbaland, the man responsible for hits such as "Big Pimpin'" and "Cry Me a River," is the musical genius behind the music of "Empire." Timbaland and his protégé Jim Beanz wrote and produced most of the now-iconic tracks from season 1, including Hakeem's instant classic "Drip Drop."

Go behind the music of "Empire" with music supervisor Timbaland and rapper-star Bryshere Gray (Hakeem Lyon) in this exclusive featurette from the home release of "Empire" season 1 on DVD and Blu-ray, out Tuesday, September 15.

For hitmaker Timbaland, it all starts with Lee Daniels and the stories concocted in the writers' room.

"They give me a plot," he says of the process. "They say, 'Hey, here's a guy who's got a family problem or a financial problem.' I take those elements and I create my own story."

"Some of my own stories, that we created, the writers went back and re-wrote parts to make it really match up," he added.

Here's hoping Timbaland and "Empire" season 2 collaborator Ne-Yo can pull off the same magic this season. Oh, wait. They already have.