Master P — No Limit Records Empire

Percy Miller turned a $10,000 insurance settlement into No Limit Records, which sold over 100 million records and grossed $500 million by 2000 — all independently, without a major label distribution deal. He then expanded into clothing (P. Miller Designs), a phone sex line, real estate, and an attempt at an NBA career (he made the Toronto Raptors preseason roster). Forbes estimated his peak net worth at $350 million. Master P was doing the independent label playbook 20 years before it was fashionable, and he did it from New Orleans while majors laughed.