Bryshere Gray is an American actor and rapper who became widely known after playing Hakeem Lyon in the hit television series Empire. Before becoming a television star, Gray was already building a career in music under the stage name Yazz the Greatest. His combination of acting ability and musical talent helped him stand out among young entertainers.
Born on November 28, 1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gray entered the entertainment industry after developing his skills as a rapper and performer. His breakthrough came when he was cast in Empire, his first major acting role.
Who Is Bryshere Gray?
Bryshere Yazuan Gray is an actor and rapper best known for his role as Hakeem Lyon in the television drama Empire. He has also used the professional name Yazz or Yazz the Greatest for his music career.
Gray was born and raised in Philadelphia. His early interest was not originally focused entirely on acting. Music became an important part of his life while he was still a teenager, and he eventually began performing around his hometown.
His music career gave him an opportunity to perform at major Philadelphia events and eventually helped introduce him to a wider audience.
Bryshere Gray’s Early Life
Gray grew up in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School. During his teenage years, he was interested in football, but an injury kept him away from the sport for several months.
During that period, he began focusing more seriously on music. He started writing and performing rap music and developed the stage name Yazz the Greatest.
Music eventually became more than a hobby. Gray performed at local events and worked to establish himself as a young rapper before Hollywood came calling.
His Music Career
Before Empire, Gray was already performing as a rapper.
He performed at events including Philadelphia’s Powerhouse concert, The Roots’ Picnic and Jay-Z’s Made in America Festival. He also opened for established artists such as Fabolous and 2 Chainz. His early music included songs such as “Gonna Make It,” “Homework” and “Respect.”
This background became particularly useful when Gray moved into acting because Empire is heavily connected to the music industry.
His real-life experience as a performer helped him bring a believable musical personality to the character of Hakeem Lyon.
Bryshere Gray and Empire
The biggest turning point in Gray’s career came in 2015 when he joined the cast of Empire.
The series follows the Lyon family and their music business, with Terrence Howard playing Lucious Lyon and Taraji P. Henson playing Cookie Lyon. Gray portrayed Hakeem Lyon, the youngest son of Lucious and Cookie.
For Gray, the role was especially important because it combined two of his biggest talents: acting and music.
According to CBS Philadelphia, the audition was one of Gray’s earliest acting experiences. He eventually received the role after auditioning for the production and demonstrating his performance abilities.
Who Was Hakeem Lyon?
Hakeem Lyon is one of the central characters in Empire. He is a young rapper who wants to establish himself as a major artist while dealing with intense family competition.
The character is ambitious, confident and sometimes reckless. Hakeem’s relationship with his father and siblings becomes an important part of the show’s story.
Gray’s musical background made him a natural fit for the role. Although Hakeem is a fictional character, his storyline allowed Gray to use his real experience as a performer.
Empire eventually ran for six seasons, with Gray appearing as Hakeem Lyon throughout the series. IMDb lists him in 102 episodes between 2015 and 2020.
Bryshere Gray in The New Edition Story
After establishing himself through Empire, Gray took on another important television role.
In 2017, he portrayed Michael Bivins in the BET miniseries The New Edition Story. The three part production told the story of the famous R&B group New Edition and its members.
The role gave Gray an opportunity to portray a real person rather than a fictional character. It also allowed him to remain connected to the music focused side of entertainment.
Movies Featuring Bryshere Gray
Gray has also appeared in films outside television.
Some of his notable screen credits include:
Canal Street
In Canal Street, Gray played Kholi Styles. The film focuses on a young man’s life after his father becomes involved in a serious legal situation.
Honey: Rise Up and Dance
Gray appeared in Honey: Rise Up and Dance, where he played Tyrell. The movie combines dance, music and drama.
Sprinter
Gray also appeared in Sprinter, a sports drama centered on a young Jamaican athlete.
These projects helped expand his acting work beyond Empire.
Bryshere Gray’s Acting Style
One reason Gray became noticeable on Empire was his ability to combine acting with musical performance.
Hakeem was required to perform songs, interact with other musicians and take part in dramatic family storylines. Gray’s background as a rapper gave him experience that supported these scenes.
He has also discussed the difference between his real music and the music performed by his Empire character. In an interview with TheWrap, Gray explained that his Yazz music was more personal, while Hakeem’s music was created to fit the show’s storyline.
Awards and Recognition
Gray received recognition during the successful run of Empire. His work earned nominations from organizations and awards programs including the Teen Choice Awards, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards and Black Reel Awards.
While Empire was his breakthrough, the nominations demonstrated that his performance had attracted attention beyond the show’s large television audience.
Bryshere Gray’s Career Beyond Empire
Empire ended its television run in 2020, but the show remains the project most closely associated with Gray.
His career is notable because he entered acting through music rather than following a traditional Hollywood path. He had already spent years developing his identity as Yazz the Greatest before receiving his first major acting opportunity.
His story demonstrates how skills from one part of entertainment can create opportunities in another.
Bryshere Gray as Yazz the Greatest
The name Yazz the Greatest is an important part of Gray’s identity as a musician.
Unlike Hakeem Lyon, who was created for television, Yazz represents Gray’s own musical career. His early performances around Philadelphia helped establish the foundation for his later entertainment work.
The two identities have sometimes been closely connected because both involve music and performance. However, Gray has explained that the fictional Hakeem and his real-life personality are different.
Why Bryshere Gray Became Famous
There are several reasons Gray attracted attention so quickly.
First, he had genuine experience as a rapper before becoming an actor. Second, Empire gave him a major television platform. Finally, Hakeem Lyon was a character with a strong personality and an important role in the show’s family and music storylines.
His career also reflects the growing connection between music and television, where performers can move between recording, acting and live entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bryshere Gray?
Bryshere Gray was born on November 28, 1993. He is 32 years old as of 2026.
Where was Bryshere Gray born?
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
What is Bryshere Gray famous for?
He is best known for playing Hakeem Lyon on the television series Empire. He is also known for playing Michael Bivins in The New Edition Story.
What is Bryshere Gray’s rapper name?
Gray has performed as Yazz the Greatest, often shortened to Yazz.
Was Bryshere Gray a rapper before Empire?
Yes. Gray was already performing music and building a career as a rapper before joining Empire. He performed at major events and released music before his acting breakthrough.
What character did Bryshere Gray play in Empire?
He played Hakeem Lyon, the youngest son of Lucious and Cookie Lyon.
What other TV show did Bryshere Gray appear in?
He portrayed Michael Bivins in the 2017 BET miniseries The New Edition Story.
Final Thoughts
Bryshere Gray’s rise from a young Philadelphia rapper to a nationally recognized television actor is one of the more interesting entertainment stories of his generation.
His breakthrough role as Hakeem Lyon on Empire introduced him to millions of viewers, while his earlier experience as Yazz the Greatest gave him a genuine connection to the musical world portrayed by the series. He later expanded his acting credits with projects including The New Edition Story, Canal Street, Honey: Rise Up and Dance and Sprinter.
For fans searching for Bryshere Gray, his career remains closely connected to both music and acting, with Empire standing as the defining project that brought him widespread recognition.
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