Empire's Bryshere "Yazz" Gray To Play Michael Bivens

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Apr 29, 2016
2 min read

The Tupac Shakur biopic is highly anticipated and there is not much info on when it will be released, but there is another iconic musical figure in New Edition. BET announced the actor playing Jamal Lyons of the hit show "Empire" Bryshere “Yazz” Gray will be doing the character of Michael Bivens in the upcoming New Edition biopic. The cast includes Keith Powers (Ronnie DeVoe), Woody McClain (Bobby Brown), Elijah Kelley (Ricky Bell), Algee Smith (Ralph Tresvant), and Luke James (Johnny Gill).

AllHipHop.com spoke with the 22-year-old rapper/actor by phone from rehearsals for the New Edition miniseries, and Yazz discussed his preparation for taking on the role of Biv.

“I’ve been working with a dialect coach. I went to Boston for about four weeks to really live that Boston life to understand where Michael came from,” says Gray. “I was just learning a lot about him, so I can take that home with me. It’s fun.”

In order to perfect the singing, rapping, and dancing associated with hit records such as “Cool It Now” and “If It Isn’t Love,” Gray and the other performers have been practicing for twelve hours a day. The opportunity to present the story of the founding member of Bell Biv DeVoe was a special assignment for Yazz.

“What made me interested in the project? Anything that’s legendary I want to be part of. I had to be part of it,” adds Gray. “Michael Bivins is the character that stuck out to me from day 1 when I heard New Edition. I was really lucky for them to have me play Michael Bivins, because I love New Edition so much.”

ALSO CHECK OUT MICHAEL BIVENS BREAKFAST CLUB INTERVIEW ABOUT BIOPIC