Here's yet another hip-hop artist that is arguably the greatest of all-time simply due to his influence of some the greats of today. Rakim's lyrical ability and vocal cadence is one to be admired, no particular hip-hop artist really embodies cool the way that Rakim does and has throughout his lengthy music career. Rakim is one-half of the legendary hip-hop group Eric B and Rakim and their debut album, Paid in Full, released in July of 1987 became the blueprint for many patrons who wanted to become emcees.
With tracks like 'Eric B. For President', 'Pump Up The Volume', and 'Don't Sweat The Technique' the New York hip-hop act is able to tour internationally to this very day. It's not hard to find Rakim either being recognized for his work or teaching the youth about the culture of hip-hop as he truly a legend and a godfather to the entire art form and deserves all the praise in the world.
Not all celebrities have fame and fortune, some are just famous – and in a ton of debt. They came from rags to riches, then went back to rags. Whether they’ve filed bankruptcy, ended up in court, or just can’t stop spending, celebrities mismanage their money just like everyone else. They just hide it well.
50 Cent coined the term “wanksta,” then “partied like it was his birthday” until he filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. The rapper was said to be anywhere between $10 million and $50 million in debt. In 2016, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Connecticut approved a plan for the founder of G-Unit to pay his debts back. He was able to get his bankruptcy discharged in February of the following year.
Following a 45-year-long career in Hollywood, acting in more than 70 films, actor Gary Busey found himself in more debt than he was worth. In 2012, it was reported that Busey owed between $500,000 and $1 million worth of debt, but only had $50,000 to his name. The 74-year-old actor owed money to hospitals, banks, the L.A. Waterworks District, and even a storage company. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that same year. Despite his longstanding career in Hollywood, Busey's net worth is now only $500,000.
Burt Reynolds is still worth five million dollars, but his battles with debt date back more than 20 years. Between bad investments and a pricey divorce from actress Loni Anderson, the 1970s superstar had to deal with over $10 million in debt and decided to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. While testifying in a 1994 custody hearing, the South Florida native said he spent $40 million getting through his divorce.
The former Hollywood bad boy, Charlie Sheen owes the IRS nearly $5 million. But that's not all. In 2016, his net worth was reportedly still as high as $150 million, but he was nonetheless $12 million in debt at the time – including mortgages, legal fees, and taxes. That same year, Debt.com reported Sheen owed nearly $300,000 on an American Express card alone.