50 Cent

Was shot nine times in 2000, survived, and turned the story into one of the best-selling debut albums in hip hop history.

The 50th Law, written with Robert Greene, argues that fearlessness comes from having already lost everything, and reads his own street history through Sun Tzu and Napoleon. Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter came later and is more practical, about reinvention after the music stopped selling.

He has since built a substantial television business, which is the part of the argument that carries the most weight.