Adam Rodriguez joins the cast of 'Empire'

Coming off of an explosive first season, Empire continues to grow its cast with Adam Rodriquez, who joins as a reoccurring guest star, Fox announced Tuesday.

Rodriquez will play concert promoter Laz Delgado, a smooth talker with an expert ability to hustle. Laz, a former EMT and native New Yorker, also takes a special interest in Cookie (Taraji P. Henson). The former CSI: Miami actor joins a star-studded list of guests slated to appear on Empire‘s second season, including Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz, Chris Rock and Ne-Yo.

Empire fans will get 18 episodes in season 2—six more than there were in the series’ debut season. Henson let it slip on Twitter last week that the hip-hop drama will return on Sept. 23, which the show’s writers quickly confirmed.

Ahead of Empire‘s season 2 premiere, Rodriquez will appear in this summer’s Magic Mike XXL.

• By Dana Rose Falcone