Fans of Empire won’t be seeing Kid Cudi dealing with the Lyon’s family this season. According to published reports, the role of Gram will now be played by Romeo Miller. Romeo, who got his first taste of fame as child hoop hip-hop phenomenon “Lil Romeo”, will replace Kudi in the role of “Gram”, the young act that dates Hakeem Lyon’s (Bryshere Gray) ex and label mate Tiana.

The role, which would have definitely created a new rivalry for Gray’s character, originally came under question on who would actually be playing the part in June after Romeo posted a poolside picture reading a script, with the caption, “That moment when @theoriginalbigdaddy [creator Lee Daniels] hit you up to come read for @EmpireFox. “Stepped away from the party to go study these lines. I will always make time for my craft.”

Although Cudi hasn’t addressed his exit on social media, sources say Cudi left the series over “creative differences.” Despite Cudi’s tight lips, Romeo uploaded a photo of himself pictured with Director Mario Van Peebles and Bryshere Gray with the caption “Uh ohhh #empire” on Instagram.

Uh ohhh #empire

A photo posted by Romeo Miller (@romeomiller) on Aug 31, 2016 at 6:03pm PDT

As a result of Cudi’s  absence, and due to the fact that Season 3 of Empire is only a few weeks away from airing, re-shoots with Romeo will most certainly be required. Scenes featuring Cudi were already shot, so it is likely that re-shoots will have to take place ahead of the Season 3 premiere on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.

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Rapper Kid Cudi has had his fair share of acting gigs but it appears that his next role will indeed be on Fox’s original show, Empire.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Kid Cudi (whose real name is Scott Mescudi) has signed on to join the Season 3 cast of Empire as rival of on-and-off screen rapper Hakeem Lyon (played by Bryshere Gray).

Mescudi will be playing a rapper named Gram who is dating Hakeem Lyon’s ex, Tiana (played by Serayah McNeill). Hakeem and Tiana’s on and off romance has played its course throughout both Season 1 and Season 2 so audiences will definitely be itching to see how Gram’s character spices things up.

Mescudi is also known for his acting roles as James White on Entourage and Domingo Brown on How to Make It in America. His last full length music release was the album, Speedin’ Bullet 2 Heaven and his upcoming sixth studio album, Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ is to be released sometime this year.

The new season of Empire is set to premiere on September 21^st at 9 p.m. on Fox.

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Ronnie, Bobby, Johnny, Rick, Ralph & Mike!

It appears the New Edition biopic (which is long overdue) is moving precisely.  Viacom released a press release last night confirming the biopic is on its way.  The three-part miniseries will be directed by Chris Robinson, produced by Jesse Collins, and will chronicle the legendary boy-band group from their humble beginnings in Boston, to their rise to fame.

The key component to a good biopic is its cast.  Last night during BET‘s Upfront presentation the cast was unveiled.  Empire star, Bryshere Y. Gray will be playing the role on the groups leading force Michal Bivins, while Elijah Kelley (The Wiz Live) will portray Ricky Bell.  Along with them two Grammy-nominated singer, Luke James will play the role of Johnny Gill. Actor. Woody McClain is set to play Ralph Tresvant and the role of Bobby Brown will be played by Algee Smith.  Straight Outta Compton star Keith Powers was cast to portray Ronnie DeVoe. All the actors are set to portray the singers as youngsters too, including a few others.

The film is set to begin production next month in Los Angeles.  New Edition: The Movie is scheduled to premiere on BET in 2017.

New Edition was formed in 1978 and produced the hit songs “Cool It Now,” and “Candy Girl.”  They’re responsible for paving the boy-band wave in the 80’s & 90’s and have influenced other boy-band groups I.E. New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, Another Bad Creation, and Boyz II Men.

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The post New Edition Biopic Cast Revealed: Bryshere Gray, Luke James & More appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.