Kid Cudi To Play Hakeem's Rival in "Empire" Season 3
by Tim Stack
7/20/16


Hakeem Lyon has got some stiff competition for season 3 of "Empire". EW has exclusively learned that musician/actor Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, is joining the show.

Mescudi (Entourage) will recur as another rapper named Gram, an independent musician who is a rival to Hakeem (Bryshere “Yazz” Gray) both in the studio and in life. That competition extends to romance: Gram is dating Hakeem’s ex, Tiana (Serayah McNeill).

Season 2 of the series ended with Hakeem’s life in a bit of a spiral after his wedding to Laura (Jamila Velazquez) is called off.



Mescudi is also releasing an album this year called 'Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’'.

"Empire" premieres Sept. 21 at 9pm on Fox.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/07/20/empire-kid-cudi-season-3

Kid Cudi Out, Romeo Miller In as Tiana's Love Interest
by Tim Stack
9/1/16


It doesn’t premiere for another few weeks but there have already been some changes to the third season of "Empire". EW has learned that actor/rapper Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi has been replaced by rapper/actor Romeo Miller in the role of Gram, a rival to Hakeem (Bryshere Gray) and the new love interest for Tiana (Serayah).

EW originally broke the news of Mescudi’s casting and has learned he left the series due to “creative differences.” Mescudi had already shot scenes for "Empire", so this will likely require some reshoots on the part of production.

"Empire" returns on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

http://www.ew.com/article/2016/09/01/empire-kid-cudi-romeo-miller-recasting