Tyree, also known as Briggs, was born in 1969 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[5] He graduated from Central High School in 1987; after which he enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied to become a pharmacist before transferring to Howard University in 1989.^[5]

His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early twenties, when he started a book publishing company, Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Recently, Tyree released his first movie, The Lure of Young Women.

In 1991, Tyree received a degree in print journalism from Howard University.^[5]

Shortly, after his graduation, he started to work as a reporter and an assistant editor at The Capitol Spotlight.^[5] Later, he worked as a chief reporter for News Dimensions.^[5]

In 2003, Tyree released a hip-hop album titled Rising Up!^{[citation needed]}

Tyree's first non-fiction book, The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, was published in January 2009.

• 2001: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature^[5]
• 2006: Phillis Wheatley Literary Award for Body of Work in Fiction.

As Omar Tyree:

• Capital City (1993)
• Battlezone (1994)
• Flyy Girl (1997-11)
• A Do Right Man (1998-10)
• Single Mom (1999-10)
• Sweet St. Louis (2000–08)
• For the Love of Money (2001–08)
• Just Say No (2002–07)
• Leslie (2003–08)
• Diary of a Groupie (2004–06)
• Dark Thirst (2004–10)
• Boss Lady (2005–06)
• What They Want (2006–07)
• The Last Street Novel (2007-07)
• Pecking Order (2008)

Under the pen name the Urban Griot:

• College Boy (2003)
• Cold Blooded (2004)

• Official website
• African American Literature Book Club