Why Hakeem Lyon Is The Worst Character From The Show Empire

Alright, let's talk about Empire. It was a wild ride, wasn't it? We had drama, music, and a whole lot of questionable decisions. But if we're being honest, one character consistently made us all shake our heads. And that character, my friends, is none other than Hakeem Lyon.

Now, before you start sending me hate mail, hear me out. I'm not saying he wasn't entertaining. He definitely brought the chaos. But "worst" is a strong word, and I think it fits him perfectly.

Think about it. From the get-go, Hakeem was presented as the spoiled rich kid. And boy, did he lean into that role. He had everything handed to him, and what did he do with it? Mostly, he complained and got into trouble. It was like watching a toddler with a trust fund.

His musical talent was always a bit... well, let's just say it was questionable at times. He'd churn out songs that sounded like they were written by committee. Or worse, like he just mashed up a bunch of popular trends and hoped for the best. We've all heard those songs, right?

And his relationships? Oh boy. Where do we even begin? Hakeem had a revolving door of girlfriends. He couldn't seem to commit to anyone for longer than it took to record a duet. It was a never-ending cycle of "oops, I did it again."

Let's not forget his constant need for validation. He always seemed to be chasing his father's, Lucious Lyon's, approval. But even when he got it, it wasn't enough. He was like a puppy constantly begging for a treat, even when he'd just finished the whole bag.

His maturity level was also, shall we say, lacking. He acted like he was still in high school, even when he was supposed to be running a major record label. He'd throw tantrums, make impulsive decisions, and generally act like a child. It was exhausting to watch, frankly.

And the way he treated his family? It was a mixed bag, but often not in a good way. He'd betray them, then apologize, then betray them again. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, and most of the time, he was the one driving it off a cliff.

Remember when he thought he was so much better than everyone else? He had this air of arrogance that was, frankly, unearned. He thought he was the next big thing, but he often lacked the substance to back it up. It was like he had a mirror and only saw what he wanted to see.

His business decisions were often as chaotic as his personal life. He'd jump into ventures without thinking them through. It was like he had a gambler's instinct but none of the luck. We were always waiting for the other shoe to drop, and it usually did.

And let's talk about his fashion sense. While sometimes it was avant-garde, other times it was just... a lot. He seemed to think that wearing as many chains as possible was a substitute for actual style. It was a visual representation of his inner turmoil, perhaps?

He was constantly getting himself into dangerous situations. It was like he had a magnet for trouble. You'd watch him and think, "Here we go again. What fresh hell is he going to unleash this time?"

His impulsivity was a constant source of frustration. He'd say the first thing that came to his mind, regardless of the consequences. It was like he had no filter, no pause button. Just pure, unadulterated Hakeem.

He often acted like he was the victim, even when he was the one causing the problems. It was a classic case of deflection, a masterclass in avoiding responsibility. We saw it time and time again.

And his inability to learn from his mistakes was truly remarkable. It was like Groundhog Day, but with more yelling and bad music. He'd make the same errors over and over again, expecting a different result. Einstein would not approve.

He was so easily influenced by whoever was telling him what he wanted to hear. This made him a pawn in so many of the show's conflicts. He was the wild card that everyone tried to play.

His ego was a beast of its own. It was a fragile thing, easily bruised, and incredibly prone to swelling. It was a constant battle to keep it in check, a battle he rarely won.

The way he treated his children sometimes was also a concern. While he loved them, his lifestyle often put them in precarious positions. He wasn't always the most stable presence, was he?

He was so focused on being "cool" and "relevant" that he often missed the bigger picture. He was so caught up in the moment, he couldn't see the long-term impact of his actions.

His loyalty was also a bit… fluid. He'd switch allegiances faster than a chameleon changes colors. You never quite knew where he stood, and that made him unreliable.

He was the embodiment of youthful recklessness. While that can be exciting on screen, it’s also incredibly frustrating as a viewer. You just want to shake him and tell him to think!

He often seemed lost, unsure of his own path. He was searching for an identity, but he kept picking the wrong ones. It was a quest that led to much of the show's drama.

He was a character designed to be flawed, and boy, did they lean into those flaws. He was the embodiment of a lot of things we find annoying in real life, amplified for television.

His tendency to cause drama wherever he went was almost a superpower. He could walk into a quiet room and turn it into a disaster zone. It was his particular brand of magic.

He was the "hot mess express" of the Lyon family. And while some might find that endearing, for me, it was just… exhausting. It was a constant state of emergency.

He was the character who made you say, "Oh, Hakeem, what are you doing now?" more times than you could count. It was a running gag, in a way.

He was often a source of comic relief, albeit unintentional at times. His sheer incompetence in certain situations could be hilarious. We were laughing at him, not necessarily with him.

He was the person who constantly proved that money doesn't buy sense. And that, my friends, is why Hakeem Lyon, in my humble, probably unpopular opinion, takes the crown for the worst character on Empire. He was a train wreck you couldn't look away from, but a train wreck nonetheless.

So next time you're rewatching Empire, just remember. The drama, the music, the chaos. A lot of it can be traced back to our dear, misguided, and utterly frustrating Hakeem. And for that, we can all share a knowing, slightly exasperated smile.