Lil Kim

Lil Kim's net worth is one of the most depressing numbers in hip-hop. She was the first female rapper to truly dominate the mainstream — multi-platinum albums, iconic fashion moments, featured on songs with everyone from Notorious B.I.G. to Christina Aguilera. "Lady Marmalade" alone sold millions. And yet, $500,000. Half a million dollars. A successful dentist has more money.

The story is a textbook case of how the music industry chews up artists who don't control their business. Kim signed her deal with Undeas/Big Beat/Atlantic in the mid-'90s when she had zero leverage. The label owned everything — her masters, her likeness rights, her publishing. When she sold 15 million records, the vast majority of that revenue went to the label. Her actual take-home was a fraction of what fans assume.

Then came the legal troubles. A perjury conviction in 2005 led to prison time and over $1 million in legal fees. Tax liens piled up. Bad management decisions drained what was left. Meanwhile, the artists she directly influenced — Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion — went on to sign deals worth tens of millions, having learned from watching what happened to the generation before them. Kim's legacy is priceless. Her bank account tells a different story entirely.