How rich musicians billed American taxpayers for luxury hotels, shopping sprees, and million-dollar bonuses

Celina Pereira for BI

Many musicians struggled during the pandemic. Lil Wayne wasn't one of them. He sold master recordings from his record label's artists for more than $100 million. He was pardoned for felony gun possession in a last-minute action by then-President Donald Trump. He purchased a $15.4 million mansion in the mountains of Los Angeles.