EXCLUSIVE: Alicia Keys & Ne-Yo Up for Empire Season 2!

For one to say they own a television set and not a fan of the Fox TV series Empire, is like saying you’ve never had cake anywhere near your mouth yet you work in a pastry shop! It doesn’t compute! Well anyway the series is growing, as the second season of the breakout drama is set to expand to 18 episodes, the network announced Monday.

Chris Rock and Alicia Keys are among the A-list guest stars already lined up for the new season, Fox TV Group chairmen and CEOs Gary Newman and Dana Walden revealed at Fox's Upfront presentation.

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A notable increase from the musical series' 12-episode first season, the season two order is still a far cry from the conventional 22-episode broadcast-series season. Considering Empire's massive ratings growth over the first season — the primetime soap pulled in a 6.5 rating with nearly 17 million viewers, so it only makes sense for Fox to try to get as many new episodes as it can.

However, co-creator Lee Daniels was vocal about his desire to keep the episode count to 12 when he spoke with THR  in March — and sounded ready to fight an increase for season two, which was ordered in January.

Empire marks Daniels' first series, and he is the first to admit there have been some bumps along the way. "It was a rough experience — and I don't know [whether it's] one that I would repeat," Daniels said at the Hollywood Radio and Television Society's Hitmakers luncheon in April. "I lost my virginity. I don't know that I would want to lose it again."

Empire' Cast Reveals Dream Guest Stars for Season 2

Another important consideration for Empire is the number -- and quality -- of the original songs created for the series by executive music producer Timbaland, among others.

Empire will air Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox this fall.