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Bryshere Y. Gray
Bryshere Y. Gray (26362135321).jpg
Gray at 2016 PaleyFest
Born
Bryshere Yazuan Gray

(1993-11-28) November 28, 1993 (age 30)
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality American
Other names
  • Yazz
  • Yazz the Greatest
Occupation
  • Actor
  • rapper
Years active 2011–present
Known for
  • Empire as Hakeem Lyon
  • The New Edition Story as Michael Bivins

Bryshere Yazuan Gray (born November 28, 1993), also known by the stage name Yazz the Greatest or simply Yazz, is an American actor and rapper, best known for his role as Hakeem Lyon in the Fox primetime musical drama television series Empire. He is also known for his portrayal as Michael Bivins in the 2017 BET miniseries The New Edition Story.

Career

Bryshere Y. Gray (cropped)
Gray at the BET 15th annual awards

Since 2013, Gray has performed at a variety of music festivals in the Philadelphia area, including Jay Z’s Made in America Festival, The Roots' Picnic Festival, and Power 99FM's Powerhouse concert. He also has been the opening act for rappers such as Fabolous and 2 Chainz. His debut single "Respect" was released in the same year. In 2015, Gray began his first acting role as Hakeem Lyon on the Fox drama TV series Empire, with co-stars Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, and Jussie Smollett. In March 2015, it was confirmed that both Smollett and Gray had been signed on with Columbia Records as solo acts. In April 2016, Gray was cast alongside Elijah Kelley, Luke James, Algee Smith, Keith Powers and Woody McClain in the BET miniseries about R&B boy band, New Edition which debuted in January 2017. Gray signed on to portray co-founding member, Michael Bivins. In April 2018, Gray co starred with Teyana Taylor in Honey: Rise Up and Dance as Tyrell.

Personal life

Gray was born and raised in West Philadelphia. His mother, Andria Mayberry, became pregnant with him when she was a teenager, and in the absence of his father, he was raised by a single mother. When he was five years old, he was diagnosed with ADHD. Gray played football at Overbrook High School, but he switched to music after getting injured when he was 16 years old. He began to use his talent as a street performer to earn money and help his single mother afford their expenses. He also worked at Pizza Hut and then he used the money he made there to pay for and make his first music video before being fired for writing music at work. His efforts eventually led to a partnership with manager Charlie Mack. Gray told Cosmopolitan in February, 2015, that his estranged father had reached out to him when he became popular, and that he needed time and needed to grow some more before taking any step in that regard. He has a sister named Brianna.

On July 13, 2020, Gray was arrested by police in Goodyear, Arizona, following an alleged domestic violence incident with his wife that culminated in a barricade situation with police. Gray was subsequently charged with aggravated assault, domestic violence and disorderly conduct and sentenced to 10 days in jail and 3 years probation following the attack on his wife on May 24, 2021.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2015–2020 Empire Hakeem Lyon Main cast
2016 Celebrity Name Game Himself
2017 The New Edition Story Michael Bivins Miniseries; main cast
2017 Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Bryshere Gray vs. Rumer Willis"
2018 Honey: Rise Up and Dance Tyrell Direct to video
2018 Sprinter Marcus Brick
2019 Canal Street Kholi Styles
2023 Dutch 2: Angel's Revenge TBA Pre—production
2024 Dutch 3: International Gangster & The Final Chapter of Nina & Dutch's Story TBA Pre—production

Discography

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Albums
US
US
R&B/HH
"Respect" 2013 non-album single
"No Apologies"
(featuring Jussie Smollett)
2015 123 44 Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
"Drip Drop"
(featuring Serayah)
114 31| —
"You're So Beautiful"
(Jussie Smollett featuring Yazz)
47 19 10
"Chasing the Sky"
(Terrence Howard featuring Jussie Smollett and Yazz)
2016 24 Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2
"Good People"
(Jussie Smollett featuring Yazz)
20

" The Bottom

Awards and nominations

BET Awards

  • 2018: Best Actor: Empire (Nominated)

NAACP Image Awards

  • 2016 NAACP Image Awards: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Empire (Nominated)
  • 2016: Outstanding New Artist (Nominated)

Teen Choice Awards

  • 2015: Choice TV: Breakout Star: Empire (Nominated)
  • 2015: Choice TV: Chemistry: Empire (Nominated)
  • 2015: Choice Music: Song From a Movie or TV Show: "You're So Beautiful" with Jussie Smollett (Nominated)
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