Craig Brewer’s 2005 Hustle & Flow cast and their standout performances made the film an instant hit, both critically and commercially. While not Brewer’s directorial debut, Hustle & Flow significantly launched his career, paving the way for hits like Dolemite Is My Name (2019) and Coming 2 America (2021). Hustle & Flow’s success, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song, transformed the movie into a cultural touchstone of the 2000s.
Set against the backdrop of poverty, ambition, and survival, Hustle & Flow centered around DJay, a Memphis pimp and small-time hustler who dreams of becoming a rapper. Beyond its compelling storyline, the film introduced a cast of dynamic characters brought to life by a talented ensemble. Two decades later, here is how every top Hustle & Flow cast career turned out and where they are today.
Terrence Howard as DJay
Terrence Howard led the Hustle & Flow cast as its protagonist, DJay, delivering a powerhouse performance as the hardened Memphis pimp who aspires to become a rapper. Although far from his film debut, Hustle & Flow brought Howard international fame. His role and performance made him a household name. His performance was so breathtaking that it earned the actor his first and only Academy Award.
Howard continued his acting career throughout the 2000s, hitting his biggest film role as Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Iron Man (2008). However, due to a contract dispute, he was recast and exited the MCU. His next major role was playing Lucious Lyon in Empire (2015–2020), a role that solidified his television legacy. Despite announcing a partial retirement in late 2022, Howard has continued to act. In 2024, Terrence Howard has several projects in film and television, including Shirley, Crescent City, and the miniseries Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
Anthony Anderson as Key
Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson joined the Hustle & Flow cast as Key. His character was introduced as a sound technician and an old friend of DJay. Key was the friend who helped Terrence Howard’s character transition from street hustling into building a music career. Anderson was already an established actor before his casting in Hustle & Flow and continued his acting career since then.
Anthony Anderson played Detective Kevin Bernard in Law & Order (2008–2010; returned in 2022). On the big screen, he appeared in films like Transformers (2007) and Scream 4 (2011). One of his most notable and recognizable roles on television is playing Andre “Dre” Johnson in the ABC sitcom Black-ish (2014–2022). Besides broadening his acting profile, Anderson has also ventured into reality and unscripted television as a competitor and host.
Taryn Manning as Nola
Actress and singer Taryn Manning portrayed Nola in Hustle & Flow. Her character was a vulnerable and streetwise prostitute who was under DJay. Nola later becomes entangled in the film’s central plot as she partners with DJay to help launch his musical career. Although she had a minor supporting role in the Eminem-led 8 Mile movie, Hustle & Flow was arguably Manning’s breakout role.
Many of today’s television audience would recognize Taryn Manning from her portrayal of Tiffany “Pennsatucky” Doggett on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019). She also had notable recurring roles in Sons of Anarchy and Hawaii Five-O. Her most recent acting credit was in 2024, where she played Macie in They Turned Us Into Killers. Besides her acting career, Manning has continued pushing her musical career.
Taraji P. Henson as Shug
Although Taraji P. Henson has become a household name today, back in 2005, she was still an upcoming actress. She played Shug, the vulnerable, pregnant sex worker who became the supportive love interest of DJay. Hustle & Flow launched Henson’s career to what it is today. She followed her performance by co-starring again with Terrence Howard in Four Brothers (2005).
Although she continued appearing in several films and TV shows, none left as much mark on her career as Loretha “Cookie” Lyon in Empire. However, despite the success and popularity of Empire, Henson seems to be one of Hollywood’s most underrated Black actresses. Arguably, she has a successful acting career, but with her level of talent, she has yet to get the befitting recognition. In 2025, she led the cast of another Tyler Perry movie, Straw.
DJ Qualls as Shelby
Throughout his three-decade acting career, DJ Qualls has earned a reputation as a character actor. In Hustle & Flow, Qualls portrayed Shelby, a beat maker introduced by Key who helps DJay create music and refine his rap skills. DJ Qualls has spent the past two decades starring in several notable projects on the big and small screens.
However, he’s famous for playing Citizen Z in Z Nation (2014–2018) and Ed McCarthy in The Man in the High Castle (2015–2018). Although he took a break from acting in the late 2010s, he returned in 2024, starring in the Hulu movie Carved. Having come out as gay in 2020, he announced he was engaged to be married to former Supernatural co-star Ty Olsson.
Ludacris as Skinny Black
https://youtu.be/QqOJZwCfUes?si=RBSmaenChdj9TxTt
Although he joined the Hustle & Flow cast in a supporting role, Ludacris was already a multi-nominated Grammy winner. He played Skinny Black, a successful Memphis rapper who Terrence Howard’s character hoped would help push his musical career. Over the past two decades, Ludacris has continued to work on his musical and acting careers. Although his last album was released in 2015, Ludacris remains an icon in the musical scene. Having joined the Fast & Furious franchise earlier in 2003 as Tej Parker, Ludacris has reprised the role ever since. He last appeared as the character in the tenth main installment, Fast X (2023).
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