DJay, played by Terrence Howard, is a savvy hustler and a Memphis pimp who finds himself struggling to make ends meet with his trio of girls: Shug, who is expecting and unable to work, Lexus, who dances at a local strip club, and Nola, who operates out of DJay’s dilapidated car in a back alley. Despite the efforts of his two working girls and DJay’s side business of selling low-grade marijuana, they face the looming threat of having their utilities cut off due to unpaid bills. In a moment of desperation, DJay feels as if he’s reached the lowest point in his life, and he yearns for a significant change.

One day, after trading some weed for a Casio keyboard with a homeless man, DJay takes the instrument home and discovers a newfound inspiration. As he plays, creativity strikes him, igniting the desire to craft rap music. He begins jotting down his unique style of rap, centered around his experiences as a pimp, in a small notebook while Nola goes about her business.

His journey takes an important turn when he reconnects with an old friend, Key, portrayed by Anthony Anderson, who works as a sound engineer. Key invites DJay to a church choir performance that resonates deeply with him, stirring something profound in his soul. Motivated by this experience, DJay decides to abandon his current lifestyle in search of his dream: to become a rapper.

Partnering with Key, DJay sets out to record a demo song that could change his life. The plot thickens as DJay learns that Skinny Black, a platinum-selling rapper played by Ludacris, is returning to Memphis for the Fourth of July. DJay is convinced that this is his chance to hustle Skinny into listening to his tape, believing that doing so will help make his dream a reality. In this inspiring tale of ambition and resilience, DJay strives to redefine his identity and pursue a brighter future through the power of music.