Djay

D'Jay is the character that Oscar-nominated actor Terrance Howard played in 2005's surprise hit, Hustle and Flow. The central character in the gritty film, D'Jay was a down-and-out pimp who decided to try his hand at rap after becoming disillusioned with prostitution. Though D'Jay was a sympathetic character, the movie effectively de-romanticized many of the myths surrounding pimps. He was poor, depressed and sympathetic to his girls and the music that he created developed similar themes. While suggesting that it's "hard out here for a pimp" is hardly revolutionary, it is a far cry from the platinum plus fantasies offered by rappers such as Snoop.