Bryshere Yazuan Gray, professionally known as Yazz the Greatest, is an American actor and rapper best known for playing Hakeem Lyon in Fox's musical drama Empire. Born on November 28, 1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gray is 32 years old as of November 2026. He gained widespread recognition when Empire premiered in January 2015 and remained a principal cast member throughout its six-season run. He also portrayed Michael Bivins in BET's The New Edition Story and appeared in several films. His career later attracted attention because of legal problems, including a 2021 aggravated assault conviction and a separate 2025 misdemeanor charge that was dismissed. Celebrity Net Worth estimated his wealth at $100,000 in July 2026, although his actual financial position has not been independently verified.
Who Is Bryshere Gray?
Bryshere Yazuan Gray is an American actor, rapper and performer who rose to fame through the television series Empire.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he grew up in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School.
Before becoming an actor, Gray pursued a career in hip-hop under the stage name Yazz the Greatest. He performed at local concerts and music festivals while building an audience through online videos.
He reportedly worked at Pizza Hut and used some of his earnings to finance his early music projects.
His performances eventually attracted attention from the entertainment industry, leading to an audition for a new Fox television series created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong.
How Old Is Bryshere Gray?
Bryshere Gray was born on November 28, 1993, making him 32 years old as of November 15, 2026.
He will celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 28, 2026.
His date and place of birth are documented in entertainment industry profiles maintained by IMDb, TV Insider and Fandango.
Bryshere Gray's Breakthrough Role as Hakeem Lyon in Empire
Gray's acting career changed dramatically when he was cast as Hakeem Lyon in Empire, which premiered on Fox on January 7, 2015.
Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, the musical drama followed the powerful Lyon family and its control of a fictional hip-hop record label, Empire Entertainment.
Gray played Hakeem, the youngest son of music mogul Lucious Lyon and his former wife, Cookie Lyon.
Hakeem was introduced as a talented but impulsive rapper struggling to establish his identity while navigating family rivalries, romantic relationships and the demands of the music industry.
Gray's background in hip-hop helped him secure the role. During his audition, he performed a freestyle rap that demonstrated his musical ability.
The character allowed Gray to combine acting with music, including performances featured in the show's soundtrack.
Empire ran for six seasons and 102 episodes before concluding on April 21, 2020. Gray remained part of the principal cast throughout the series.
Who Were Bryshere Gray's Co-Stars in Empire?
Empire featured an ensemble cast portraying the Lyon family and the musicians and executives connected to their record label.
- Terrence Howard as Lucious Lyon: The founder and head of Empire Entertainment.
- Taraji P. Henson as Cookie Lyon: Lucious' former wife and a central figure in the family's business.
- Bryshere Y. Gray as Hakeem Lyon: The youngest son and aspiring hip-hop star.
- Jussie Smollett as Jamal Lyon: Hakeem's older brother and a talented singer-songwriter.
- Trai Byers as Andre Lyon: The eldest son, whose ambitions focus on business leadership.
- Serayah as Tiana Brown: A recording artist who becomes romantically involved with Hakeem.
- Gabourey Sidibe as Becky Williams: An employee whose career develops within Empire Entertainment.
Gray's character became especially popular among viewers interested in the show's original hip-hop music and its portrayal of the younger generation of the Lyon family.
Bryshere Gray's Movies and Other TV Shows
Following his success on Empire, Gray appeared in several television and film productions.
The New Edition Story (2017)
Gray portrayed Michael Bivins in BET's three-part biographical miniseries The New Edition Story.
The production explored the rise of the American R&B group New Edition, including the members' childhood friendships, musical achievements and professional conflicts.
Gray's performance allowed him to portray a real musician rather than the fictional rapper he played on Empire.
Honey: Rise Up and Dance (2018)
Gray appeared in the dance drama Honey: Rise Up and Dance alongside Teyana Taylor.
The film follows a young dancer pursuing professional success while confronting personal and family challenges.
Canal Street (2018)
Gray appeared in Canal Street, a drama about a teenager accused of murder and the impact of the case on his family and community.
Sprinter (2018)
He also appeared in Sprinter, a sports drama about a young Jamaican athlete pursuing a track-and-field career.
These productions expanded Gray's acting experience beyond Empire, although none generated the same level of mainstream recognition as his role as Hakeem Lyon.
What Is Bryshere Gray's Net Worth in 2026?
Celebrity Net Worth estimated Bryshere Gray's personal wealth at approximately $100,000 in an update published on July 1, 2026.
Older entertainment websites have published substantially higher estimates, including figures around $2 million.
However, Gray has not released independently audited financial statements establishing his current assets, investments, debts or other financial obligations.
His professional earnings have included television acting, film appearances, music recordings and live performances.
The financial terms of his Empire contract and subsequent entertainment agreements have not been publicly verified.
Consequently, the $100,000 figure should be understood as a third-party estimate rather than a confirmed measurement of his personal net worth.
Bryshere Gray's Instagram
Bryshere Gray has historically been associated with the Instagram username @yazzthegreatest, reflecting his professional stage name.
The account became widely known during Empire's television run, when Gray regularly appeared in entertainment coverage and promotional campaigns.
His Instagram presence has been associated with music, television appearances, personal photographs and entertainment-related activities.
The username is documented in celebrity directories and historical social media records.
However, the identity of the person currently managing the account and the authenticity of its recent posts have not been independently confirmed.
Bryshere Gray's Twitter and X Account
Gray has also been publicly associated with the Twitter username @YazzTheGreatest, on the platform now known as X.
Historical records and entertainment directories identify the account with his acting and music career.
The account was previously used to communicate with fans and promote Empire-related appearances.
Although the username remains associated with Gray, its current management and posting activity should not be treated as independently verified without direct confirmation.
Bryshere Gray's 2020 Arrest and 2021 Conviction
In July 2020, Gray was arrested following a domestic violence incident involving his then-wife at their residence in Goodyear, Arizona.
According to police reports, his wife sought help after alleging that he had assaulted her. Officers subsequently went to Gray's home, where he initially refused to surrender.
A police response involving crisis negotiators and a SWAT team ended when Gray surrendered the following morning.
In 2021, Gray pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault under a negotiated plea agreement.
He received a sentence of 10 days in county jail and three years of probation.
The agreement also required him to pay restitution and participate in a domestic violence offender treatment program.
The conviction was a formal legal outcome, not merely an allegation arising from his arrest.
Why Was Bryshere Gray Arrested Again in 2025?
Gray faced another legal matter in June 2025 after an alleged confrontation with an associate in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The associate, Dustin "Chosen" Wilkins, filed a complaint alleging that Gray had physically assaulted him during a disagreement at a hotel.
Gray was subsequently charged with misdemeanor assault and battery.
However, Wilkins later requested dismissal of the complaint.
On July 30, 2025, the Chesapeake General District Court dismissed the charge.
The dismissal meant that the Virginia allegation did not result in a criminal conviction. It was separate from Gray's 2021 aggravated assault conviction in Arizona.
What Is Bryshere Gray Doing in 2026?
As of November 2026, Gray remains best known for his portrayal of Hakeem Lyon on Empire and Michael Bivins in The New Edition Story.
His latest widely reported criminal proceeding, the 2025 Virginia misdemeanor case, ended with dismissal of the charge.
Although entertainment profiles continue to associate him with music and independent projects, no new leading television role or major studio release scheduled for late 2026 was independently confirmed in the sources reviewed.
His six-season performance on Empire remains the defining achievement of his acting career and the primary reason audiences continue searching for information about his life and professional activities.