NEW YORK - TERRENCE Howard earned an Oscar nomination for his role as a pimp aspiring to be a rapper in 'Hustle & Flow' but the 2005 movie also shone a spotlight on the actor's musical talents and helped him land a record deal.

Howard releases his debut album 'Shine Through It' on Tuesday.

But it's nothing like the hip-hop he performed as Djay, which included Three 6 Mafia's 2006 Academy Award-winning song, 'It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp.' -- REUTERS