Terrence Howard at Bloomingdale's and Vanity Fair host 'The Beat of Chic' - Rehearsals. New York City, USA - 03.09.08

The Hustle and Flow star released his debut album Shine Through It this month (Sep08), and admits he spent years contemplating a music career because he was exhausted by constantly playing a role.

He says: "At 35 years-old, I'm trying to see who Terrence Howard is... As an actor, I couldn't find myself because I had to abandon me to be somebody else. But now, writing music, I'm able to purge myself. I don't think I'm a singer, I think I'm more of a story-teller, that's forced to do it to melody... in the process I was able to find myself and find some beauty in me."

But Howard insists he's unsure of whether or not he'll return to his roots with a role on the big screen.

He adds: "As long as acting is paying the bills, I'll do that. As long as music is paying the bills, I'll do that."

Source: WENN