City of Philadelphia - File #: 150061

• File #: 150061
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 1/29/2015
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 1/29/2015
• Title: Honoring Yazz the Greatest for his positive contributions to pop culture as a rapper and actor, as well as his recent successful performance in the television show Empire.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Quiñones Sánchez, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember O'Brien, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Greenlee, Council President Clarke, Council President Clarke, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember O'Neill, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Squilla, Councilmember Neilson, Councilmember Neilson, Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Oh, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Henon

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
1/29/2015	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Ordered Placed on This Week's Final Passage Calendar	Pass
1/29/2015	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED

Title

Honoring Yazz the Greatest for his positive contributions to pop culture as a rapper and actor, as well as his recent successful performance in the television show Empire.

Body

WHEREAS, Yazz the Greatest (YTG) was born Bryshere Ronald Gray on November 28, 1993 in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Bryshere was raised by a single mom, who taught him that respect is earned not given and that hard work and dedication will eventually but inevitably pay off; and

WHEREAS, After Bryshere was injured and had to give up on the possibility of receiving an athletic scholarship, he turned towards rapping and acting; and

WHEREAS, Many popular performers in the rap industry use distasteful lyrics, YTG chooses to be more responsible with his words—favoring lyrics that have uplifting and elevating content and lyrics that have respect for women; and

WHEREAS, YTG's fame on social media sites multiplied while he was guided by Manager Charles “Charlie Mack” Alston; and

WHEREAS, YTG knows the struggles of youth growing up in an urban environment and plans to be a positive influence by launching a foundation called “You're the Greatest” to give back to his community; and

WHEREAS, YTG is currently starring in a new hit television series called Empire directed by Lee Daniels; and

WHEREAS, YTG is an excellent actor and plays a difficult role in personifying Hakeem Lyons; and

WHEREAS, YTG has admitted that it is tough to display absolute distain towards his mother on the show, Cookie Lyons—played by Taraji P. Henson when this goes against his nature and inclinations; and

WHEREAS, Yazz the Greatest's performance on Empire, and his ability to achieve success after moments of doubt, has inspired others in Philadelphia to follow in his footsteps and to pursue their dreams; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors Yazz the Greatest for his positive contributions to pop culture as a rapper and actor, as well as his recent successful performance in the television show Empire.

End