Luxury Tax: 20 Rappers Who Owe The IRS
Jadakiss once asked, "Why is the industry designed to keep the artist in debt?" We don't know the answer, but one thing is becoming abundantly clear: A lot of artists are in debt. Matter of fact, a couple of weeks ago, we found out that Swizz Beatz, Wycelf Jean, Obie Trice, and Young Buck all owed back taxes. And we expect things like that to keep happening, because we hear the IRS is actively targeting rappers. That might help explain why in the last 18 months, more than 20 rappers have been hit with tax liens due to money they owed to local and state governments. Yikes! We all know Uncle Sam don't play when it comes to the paper, so we put together Luxury Tax: 20 Rappers Who Owe The IRS to give our favorite rappers financial advice on how they can get their money right...
Method Man (March & October 2009)
How much do they owe? $33,000 and $52,000
How can they get out of debt? Stop smoking weed.
Complex says: When asked about why he couldn't pay his taxes, Method Man's excuse was basically, "I was gonna pay my taxes, but then I got high." Here at Complex, we've got love for the cheeba cheeba...but you've really gotta pace yourself sometimes.
Lil Kim (March 2009)
How much do they owe?
$979,090
How can they get out of debt? Sue your plastic surgeons...
Complex says: ...cause they did a terrible job. Trust us, you are entitled to damages.
Snoop Dogg (April 2009 & Feb 2010)
How much do they owe? $284,053
(2009) and $598,309 (2010)
How can they get out of debt? Wait, don't you have enough money?
Complex says: Honestly, we can't think of any way for Snoop to make any more money than he already does. What are we supposed to suggest? That he sign up for any endorsement deal that comes his way? He already does that!
Xzibit (April 2009)
How much do they owe? $501,840
How can they get out of debt? Keep making movies.
Complex says: Yeah, we know there are way too many rappers-turned-actors who suck, but the former Pimp My Ride host was actually pretty enjoyable to watch in last year's Bad Lieutenant. And who knows, maybe if X's acting career pops off he can help Nic Cage out with his tax problems.
Foxy Brown (July 2009)
How much do they owe? $641,558
How can they get out of debt? Become an enforcer.
Complex says: We're not even going to bother to recount all the times Foxy Brown has been arrested, because everyone knows that girl is nutso. That's why we say she should join the Mafia—the only place that will embrace her criminal insanity—and become an enforcer, where she'll be rewarded for being so damn gully.
Diddy (July 2009)
How much do they owe?
$7,373
How can they get out of debt? Hire better accountants.
Complex says: The tax lien wasn't filed against Diddy himself, it was filed against his restaurant Justin's. And according to Justin's representatives, the debt was based solely on an error by the IRS and the people who prepare their taxes. They also claimed a check was immediately written once the debt was discovered. Good thing it was a check—we doubt the IRS accepts money hanging out the anus.
D12's Swifty, Kon Artis & Kuniva (September 2009, September 2009, May 2010)
How much do they owe? $254,000 (Swifty), $61,501 (Kon Artis) & $154,200 (Kuniva)
How can they get out of debt? Get Eminem to pay it off.
Complex says: Come on guys, you already owe your entire careers to Em so it's not a big deal if you owe him another half a million dollars or so. Just put it on your tab.
Flavor Flav (November 2009)
How much do they owe? $183,000
How can they get out of debt? Go on Dancing With The Stars.
Complex says: Nowadays it seems like just about every washed up celeb has had a run on Dancing With The Stars and we don't see why Flavor Flav should be any different. For one, he's already a highly successful reality TV star and, as of late, Dancing With The Stars has had trouble getting actual stars to sign up.
Big Boi (November 2009)
How much do they owe? $55,727
How can they get out of debt? Get Andre 3000 focused.
Complex says: Look, we love Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty as much as the next music critic, but you know what always sold really well? Outkast albums!
DMX (November 2009)
How much do they owe?
$1.5 million
How can they get out of debt? Join the WWE.
Complex says: With all of the other issues X has, this one didn't surprise us the least bit (lawyer fees ain't cheap when you've got 37 open cases!). But news of his tax problems did help explain why X was supposed to be in a wrestling match at one point, before he backed down due to safety concerns. That's why we say fuck it, join the WWE. X was always our favorite character in Def Jam Vendetta anyhow and Vince McMahon knows how to make wrestling superstars.
Nas (February 2010)
How much do they owe? $3,365,671.26
How can they get out of debt? Beg Kelis for forgiveness.
Complex says: As if Nastradamus doesn't have enough problems thanks to the IRS, Kelis is also raping him in court for spousal support—even though she has a fairly successful career herself. If Nas would just squash it with Kelis, he could save over 300K a year!
Eve (Febuary 2010)
How much do they owe?$357,000
How can they get out of debt?
Complex says:massive money laundering case
Solar (June 2010)
How much do they owe?
$525.52
How can they get out of debt? Perform at Gathering of the Juggalos.
Complex says: We're not even sure if those tax letters are legit since it's provided by a site called FuckSolar.com. But that doesn't really matter to us. All we care about is convincing Solar to go on stage so we can give him the Tila Tequila treatment by throwing rocks, beer bottles, and feces at hip-hop's public enemy number one.
Chamillionaire (June 2010)
How much do they owe? $184,000
How can they get out of debt? Sell your naming rights.
Complex says: Son, Chamillionaire is the greatest Pokemon name ever!
Fat Joe (June 2010)
How much did they owe?
$139,000
How can they get out of debt? Become a club bouncer.
Complex says: There have been rumors of Joe's money woes since '08 but he's always denied them. In fact, when he recently sold his Florida mansion, those rumors popped up again because he still owes the bank $71,611 in mortgage payments. But one thing we know about Coked Coke Crack is his affinity for altercations. If it was up to us, Joey would earn some extra cash by becoming a club bouncer. Think about it: if you were wilding out in a club, and Joey was coming your way to regulate, you know you would duck down. Word to Dru Ha.
Lil Wayne (July 2010)
How much do they owe? $1.13 million
How can they get out of debt? Steal Drake and Nicki Minaj's publishing.
Complex says: Hey, it's (allegedly) done wonders for Birdman!
Obie Trice (August 2010)
How much do they owe? $298,000
How can they get out of debt? Get a liquor endorsement deal.
Complex says: We hear Diddy made $100 million for promoting Ciroc and we doubt he even gets drunk since he stays busy running his empire. Meanwhile, Obie has prominently featured beer in his album titles, covers, and mixtapes. We see alcohol in Obie's future—because he'll either be drinking away his problems or washing them away with a check via the St. Ides marketing department.
Swizz Beatz (August 2010)
How much do they owe?
$2.1 million
How can they get out of debt? Get Alicia to pay for it.
Complex says: Honestly, we would have left Mashonda for Alicia Keys based on hotness alone. But let's not forget that Alicia has racked up plenty of hits on her own and has a huge catalog. Now that you two crazy lovebirds are married, there's no reason Swizz should be living like an animal. He's entitled to half. Equality!
Young Buck (August 2010)
How much do they owe? $300,000
How can they get out of debt? Beg 50 for forgiveness.
Complex says: According to reports, the IRS ran up in Buck's house and repossessed many of his belongings, including his home studio equipment so he can't even record songs any more. Even though everyone knows 50 is one cold-hearted SOB, what other moves can Buck possibly make? 50 claims Buck still owes him money so he probably can't make even sign a new deal. Instead of crying on the phone, maybe Buck could offer to shine 50's shoes or something.
Wyclef Jean (August 2010)
How much do they owe?
$2.1 million
How can they get out of debt? Win the Haitian Presidential election.
Complex says: Sure, Clef has been hounded by rumors that his non-profit organization, Yele Haiti, is involved in fishy business tactics (in fact, that's where his tax problems spring from), but we don't see why he should worry. He needs to focus his efforts on becoming the President of Haiti because if he does win, can you spell D-I-P-L-O-M-A-T-I-C I-M-M-U-N-I-T-Y? #NoDipset
