The TIME 100 is out–and the magazine’s selection for Most Influential Person in the World might surprise you. Kanye West sngged one of the five coveted cover stories for the issue, which comes complete with a brief and highly complimentary write-up from noted tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Here’s Musk explaining Kanye’s inclusion:
Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list. The dude doesn’t believe in false modesty, and he shouldn’t. Kanye’s belief in himself and his incredible tenacity—he performed his first single with his jaw wired shut—got him to where he is today. And he fought for his place in the cultural pantheon with a purpose. In his debut album, over a decade ago, Kanye issued what amounted to a social critique and a call to arms (with a beat): “We rappers is role models: we rap, we don’t think.” But Kanye does think. Constantly. About everything. And he wants everybody else to do the same: to engage, question, push boundaries. Now that he’s a pop-culture juggernaut, he has the platform to achieve just that. He’s not afraid of being judged or ridiculed in the process. Kanye’s been playing the long game all along, and we’re only just beginning to see why.
Pretty strong stuff, though it’s notably vague. Without any specifics about how and why Kanye influences people to such a powerful extent, it’s a little difficult to understand why he made one of the covers, for example.
Still–power is power, and Kanye’s undoubtedly got it. He and wife Kim Kardashian were the most searched-for people on the internet last year, as both individuals and a couple. And whatever Kanye does–whether good or bad–is guaranteed to make headlines.
Elsewhere on the list, you’ll find Emma Watson; the Supreme Court’s Ruth Bader Ginsburg; Misty Copeland; Lorne Michaels of SNL fame; and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with 94 other people.
What do you think of Kanye’s inclusion–and his placement on the cover? Is it deserved–or is KW becoming somewhat overrated?
(Photo Credits: TIME; WENN)
