Up until 2015, Bryshere Gray was better known as the Philadelphia rapper Yazz The Greatest. He gained enough stature as such to earn a spot opening for 2 Chainz and Fabolous at Jay Z's Made In America Music Festival in 2013.
But landing a role on Fox's Empire supercharged his career, and now his profile as fictional rapper Hakeem Lyon has eclipsed his renown as Yazz--part of the reason he lands in the Hollywood & Entertainment category of our 30 Under 30 Class of 2016 alongside the likes of Dakota Johnson, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley.
As he prepares for the next season of Empire--and what appears to be an even larger role in the fictional company of the same name (and therefore the real show)--Gray answered a few questions on his origins, influences, hopes and dreams. He was the only honoree who answered his questions in all caps, and we'll leave them that way so as to not inhibit a young entrepreneur's boldness.
A 30 Under 30 Q&A With Bryshere Gray
Are you married? NO
How many children do you have, if any? NONE
Are you an early bird or a night owl? NIGHT OWL
How much student debt do you have? NONE
Who's your dream mentor? WILL SMITH
Who's your single biggest influence? MY FAMILY
What gadget can you not live without? PHONE
What's your go-to app? GMAIL
At what age did you decide on your profession? 16
What's the single most important trait for entrepreneurs? FAITH
How do you define success? SUCCESS IS MOTIVATING
Why did you decide to start your business/career? TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Where were you when you launched your business/career? PHILADELPHIA
What's the best way to describe this generation? CREATORS AND LEADERS
What's the first song you learned by heart? MICHAEL JACKSON THRILLER
What's the best concert you've ever been to? JAY Z
If you could listen to only one album for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why? ANYTHING MICHAEL JACKSON. HIS MUSIC IS INSPIRING.
For more on the business of media & entertainment, check out my Jay Z biography, Empire State of Mind, as well as Michael Jackson, Inc. You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and by subscribing to my quarterly newsletter.
