Hustle And Flow Analysis

Success can be a very hard word to define, simply because where you come from

and the people who have surrounded you throughout your childhood can equate to

how you define success. For example, my version of success is a college degree, and

a good job. But someone living in a impoverished area like Richmond, may think

that a high school diploma and seeing their 21st birthday is success. Now, I am not

saying I am better than the next person, but the areas we grow up in and the people

who have surrounded us can affect those thoughts. Both 8 mile and Hustle and Flow

establish a common theme throughout the movies, which is how they will define their

versions of success.

When first hearing I was going to be watching Hustle

and Flow I instantly thought of

a pimp and his hoes. This movie leads you to believe that, that definition is totally out of

context to its actual meaning. It is about a pimp, yes. Djay has lived in the hood of

Memphis, Tennessee throughout his whole life and really has no other means of

becoming anything than what he already is. Eventually, a milestone is set when he

acquaints with a fellow classmate named Keys. Djay realizes, that his lifestyle and goals

will change and he puts raping into full effect. Both Keys and Djay set up a studio where

they began to create tunes, that eventually lead to songs being made. Djay wants to

become like Skinny Black who is a figure in the movie as someone who has successfully

gained access into a rapping career. The point where success and the hood play part is

when Djay kills Skinny Black because he called Djays work crap. So how does 8 mile

play a part in any of this? Jimmy, who is from the hood of Detroit, Michigan has dreams

as well, to become a successful rapper. Both rappers must go through the struggles of not

having anything, in order to gain some type of recognition for the work that they put

fourth.

While working to become these successful rappers, there eye for success is the

same they want to be seen to their fan base as someone who has stepped out of the hood

and become a figure to look up to.

One thing that stuck out to me when it came to the differences in Hustle and Flow,

although the character is very admit about becoming a rapper he allows others to bring

him down. Jimmy in 8 mile, on the other hand, blares out the negativity while trying to

take care of his girlfriend who is pregnant, and working a minimum wage job. The cause

and effects in both movies really does play a part in the endings, because Jimmy ends up

becoming what he wants to be which is a rapper while Djay is left behind bars. Both Djay

and Jimmy come from a rough upbringing, But, Jimmy continually has his daughters best

interest at heart and that is what inspires him into becoming the inspirational rapper,

while Djay is more focused on the career aspects like money and success rather than his

girlfriend who is waiting at home for him pregnant. Family definitely plays a part in both

of these movies but the motivational cause is different for both of the actors,

while

success is still seen to these actors their minds are in a different place.

“Some people dream of success while others wake up and work hard at it.”- Eminem.

As stated earlier the underlining theme is, success. These two movies show you that, two

people can end up in two different places. These movies definitely inspire and at the

same time bring life to the fact that in a blink of a moment, your life can change!