If you spent any time near a television between 2015 and 2020, you know the youngest Lyon. He was brash, talented, and incredibly frustrating. We watched him struggle for his father’s approval while simultaneously trying to burn the whole kingdom down. But while Hakeem Lyon was a fictional creation of Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, the guy playing him was very real.
Hakeem in empire real name is Bryshere Y. Gray. Most fans actually know him by his stage name, Yazz the Greatest, or just Yazz. It’s kinda funny because, in a show about a music mogul's family, they cast a kid who was actually trying to make it in the rap game in real life. He wasn't some seasoned child actor from a Hollywood dynasty. Honestly, he was a kid from West Philly who was reportedly facing eviction right when he landed the role of a lifetime.
The Philly Kid Who Became Hakeem
Bryshere Yazuan Gray was born on November 28, 1993. Growing up in Philadelphia, he didn't have a silver spoon like Hakeem. He worked at Pizza Hut. He performed on the street. He was just another aspiring artist until he met Charlie Mack, a big-time manager who saw something in him.
The story of how he got the job is basically a movie script itself. He didn't even have a traditional audition at first. He did a freestyle rap over FaceTime for Lee Daniels.
Think about that for a second.
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One minute you're trying to figure out how to pay rent in Philly, and the next, you’re on a plane to Los Angeles to screen test with Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. It’s wild. Gray has often credited Terrence Howard for pushing him during that screen test, telling him to "dig deeper." That raw energy is exactly what made Hakeem such a breakout character in the early seasons.
More Than Just Hakeem Lyon
While Empire was his massive break, Bryshere didn't just sit around and wait for the checks to clear. He branched out. If you haven't seen the 2017 BET miniseries The New Edition Story, you're missing out. He played Michael Bivins, and he actually nailed it.
Transitioning from a modern hip-hop brat like Hakeem to a legendary 80s/90s R&B icon isn't easy. You’ve gotta change your cadence, your walk, and your whole vibe. Most critics were actually surprised by his range. He also showed up in:
- Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018) as Tyrell.
- Sprinter (2018) playing Marcus Brick.
- Canal Street (2019) as Kholi Styles.
He was everywhere for a minute. He even did some modeling, walking for Naomi Campbell’s "Fashion for Relief" campaign.
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The Reality of the "Empire" Aftermath
Being famous is weird. Being famous for playing a "bad boy" character while you're still basically a kid yourself is even weirder. After Empire wrapped in 2020, things got a bit rocky for Gray.
There have been headlines that aren't about his acting. In 2020, there was a high-profile arrest involving domestic violence charges. He ended up serving some time and was put on probation. Then, in late 2022, he had more legal trouble for allegedly violating that probation.
As of early 2026, things have been a bit quieter on the professional front, but the legal clouds haven't entirely cleared. In mid-2025, there were reports about dropped assault charges, which suggests a complicated personal life that fans are still trying to wrap their heads around. It's a stark reminder that the "glamour" we see on screen in shows like Empire doesn't always translate to peace of mind in the real world.
Why We Still Care About Bryshere Y. Gray
People still search for "Hakeem in empire real name" because he left an impression. He wasn't just a face; he was the voice of songs like "Drip Drop" and "You’re So Beautiful." He brought a certain "swagger" (as the producers called it) that felt authentic because it was rooted in his real-life ambitions as a rapper.
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There’s always talk about a comeback. Fans of the show are protective of the Lyon family, even years after the finale. Whether he returns to the screen or focuses on his music career as Yazz the Greatest, his impact on mid-2010s pop culture is solidified.
What to Keep an Eye On
If you’re looking to follow his journey now, keep these things in mind:
- Music Updates: He is still technically signed to Columbia Records. While a full solo album hasn't dominated the charts recently, his catalog from the show still pulls millions of streams.
- Legal Resolution: Most of his recent "news" has been about his legal battles. Seeing him move past those is the first step toward any potential reboot or new role.
- The "Empire" Legacy: With streaming making Empire accessible to new generations, the interest in the cast remains high.
Watching Bryshere Y. Gray is a lesson in the highs and lows of instant stardom. He went from the brink of homelessness to being one of the most recognizable faces on television in less than a year. That kind of trajectory is heavy.
To keep up with the latest, it’s worth checking his official social media channels, though he tends to go dark periodically. For those wanting to relive the peak Lyon era, the Empire soundtracks remain the best way to see what made "Hakeem" such a force in the first place.