Hustle & Flow is a 2005 American independent drama film written and directed by Craig Brewer and produced by John Singleton and Stephanie Allain. It was released on July 22, 2005. Terrence Howard stars as a Memphis hustler and pimp who faces his aspiration to become a rapper. The film is dedicated to Sun Records founder Sam Phillips.The film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Three 6 Mafia's song "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp". Howard was nominated for Best Actor.