The film also has a radical tone shift in the final 15 minutes that I thought was misplaced. The film has a surprising amount of heart for such shady characters.ĭespite this I think the genre has seen better entries. Even pimps and drug dealers get mid life crisis’s. The theme of chasing your dreams and never give up on them works so well because everyone has one. This kind of story has been done before with films like The Commitments, or even October Sky. Kapones 'Whoop That Trick' - a bombastic and not-quite-politically- correct rant about being a pimp - is the first and most memorable song performed by Howard in the movie. DJay and Sugar begin to fall in love as the group sees gold at the end of the rainbow and an end to their dead end lives. Henson), a pregnant hooker to sing backup. A sweet scene occurs when Shelby gets Sugar (Taraji P.
Their main song is “Whoop That Trick,” where DJay complains about pimping. DJay also bribes his neighbors to turn their own music down, because it occasionally bleeds thru into the studio. The sweat dripping off their faces makes the music more raw and real. It’s the summer and the house is cooking but they must turn off the fans when the microphones are live. The team soundproofs their workplace with empty egg cartons. Their studio has all the creativity that having no money inspires. Qualls) a nerdy white boy who surprisingly throws down good sound. DJay is convinced that if it’s any good he can give it to Skinny Black who will go to bat for them. The two of them realizing they’re at a crossroads and aren’t getting any younger decide they want to make an album. I done held in a lot of shit and I'm 'bout to flip. If you violate off the top, trick you gotta go. Key records gospel music and depositions – hardly the life he wanted either. Whoop that trick (16x) Verse 1 I'mma make these sucka's recognize I ain't playin' ho.
Later while making the rounds with Nola, Djay runs into Key (Anthony Anderson). DJay, who claims to be old friends with the guy, says he’ll hook him up with his best pot. Arnel informs him that Skinny Black (Ludacris), a superstar rapper originally from Memphis, is coming back in town for a 4th of July shin dig at the establishment. He then stops by his favorite bar to chat with Arnel (Isaac Hayes) the owner and a good friend. Hustle & Flow, one of Sundance’s big winners this year, starts out with a Tarantino-like speech by DJay (Terrence Howard), a Memphis pimp, drug dealer, and general lowlife who tries to buck up Nola (Taryn Manning) one of his hos.