Empire Season 2 is introducing so many new faces that it can be hard to keep up. Among them are big names (Mariah Carey! Ludacris!) and talents on the verge of stardom (Serayah, who plays Tiana!). Rapper Bre-Z Murray is one of those musicians on the verge, and in addition to showing her skills on-screen, Bre-Z has songs that show her talent off-screen, too. The rapper plays Freda Gatz (a.k.a. The Queen o' 16s), who Fox describes as "a baby-faced emcee from Brownsville, Brooklyn" who "has won more rap battles than the best male vets on her block." In real life, Bre-Z has plenty of songs that prove those words true, for sure.
The Philadelphia native has been writing songs with Dr. Dre, Jennifer Lopez, and The Game, according to an interview in Refinery29. As for Empire, Bre-Z's role has given her the opportunity be featured on a single called "Same Song" and act opposite Chris Rock in her first on-screen acting role. As for Freda, "I think she’s someone the world will enjoy," Bre-Z told Refinery29. "I’ve never seen a character played in this light before. I think it’ll definitely be intriguing for those who can relate and those who may have been curious."
Here are some of Bre-Z's pre-Empire music that you should totally check out.
1. "Red Bottom My Bitch"
Bre-Z rhymes with great intensity and carries this tune, not missing one beat.
2. "True Indeed" Featuring Asia Bryant
Bryant's haunting vocals (singing "I love me enough for the both of us") and slow beat lead into Bre-Z's rap in this track, which samples "From Time" by Slick Stunna.
3. "Oh Kill 'Em Freestyle"
From the time this 2013 song begins, I'm actually not sure if Bre-Z ever takes a breath. If there's a track that'll prove she can rhyme veteran rappers under the table, it's this non-stop rap.
4. "6 God Freestyle"
In this track that was posted in May, Bre-Z declares that "they know I'm the coolest in the world" against a sample of "6 God" by Drake.
5. "Monay Money Monay"
This 2012 song has a behind-the-scenes video attached to it, showing Bre-Z recording in a closet and rhyming (in the dark) in a small dorm-room like apartment. It's pretty cool to see where she got her start.
6. "Stupid Ho Freestyle"
Bre-Z collaborated with fellow rapper Thom Scagnetti on this song.
Forgot what happened last season on Empire? Check out the (drunk) recap below.
Image: Chuck Hodes/Fox
