Empire: Kid Cudi to play Hakeem's rival in season 3

Hakeem Lyon has got some stiff competition for season 3 of Empire. In honor of the launch of our annual 50 Scoops in 50 Days Fall TV preview series, EW has exclusively learned that musician/actor Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, is joining the show.

Mescudi (Entourage, James White), will recur as another rapper named Gram, an independent musician who is a rival to Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) both in the studio and in life. That competition extends to romance: Gram is dating Hakeem’s ex, Tiana (Serayah McNeill).

Season 2 of the series ended with Hakeem’s life in a bit of a spiral after his wedding to Laura (Jamila Velazquez) is called off.

Other stars already lined up for the third season of the Fox hit include Taye Diggs and French Montana.

Mescudi is also releasing an album this year called Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’.

Empire premieres Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. on Fox.

From now until our huge fall TV preview hits newsstands Sept. 9, EW is bringing you 50 scoops in 50 days. Follow the hashtag #50Scoops50Days on Twitter and Instagram to keep up with the latest, and check EW.com/50Scoops50Days for all the news and surprises.