TIME is out with its 100 most influential people in the world, and hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay Z” Carter is heading up the list. The Brooklyn-born rapper also graces one of the seven covers the magazine’s releasing for the 10th annual list.
According to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jay-Z’s “influence stretches across races, religions, and regions.”
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“He’s an artist-entrepreneur who stands at the center of culture and commerce in 21st century America,” he wrote in the upcoming issue of TIME. “He’s never forgotten his roots — ‘Empire State of Mind’ was a love song to our city — and as a co-owner of the NBA Nets, he helped bring a major league sports team back to Brooklyn, not far from his old neighborhood. In nearly everything he’s tried, he’s found success. (He even put a ring on Beyoncé.) And in doing so, he’s proved that the American Dream is alive and well.”
Other celebs who made the list include Jay-Z’s wife Beyonce, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Shonda Rhimes, Miguel, Frank Ocean, Valerie Jarrett and LeBron James.
The April issue of TIME hits newsstands on Friday, but until then lets take a look at 10 reasons why we agree that Jay-Z is a BOSS! Click through to read the full list.
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1. Jay-Z may be a hip-hop mogul but music is not his only business. He recently launched his own sports agency, Roc Nation Sports.
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2. When Jay-Z first started his career, he didn’t wait for anyone to give him a record deal. Instead, he started his own label, Rock-A-Fella Records, in 1996.
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3. Jay and Bey love to attend basketball games so it would only makes sense for a BOSS to buy partial ownership of the Brooklyn Nets.
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4. He’s an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. In 2008, Jay partnered with Live Nation to create Roc Nation, a full-service entertainment company that includes artists like Rihanna, J Cole, Melanie Fiona and Shakira.
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5. At the height of its success, Rocawear was one of the top-selling and most-recognizable urban brands on the market.
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6. He’s released 11 studio albums, earned 17 Grammys and sold over 50 million albums globally.
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7. If you thought Jay-Z was only music, clothes and sports, you’re all wrong. He provides a place for you to get your party on, too. He’s the co- owner of the 40/40 club chain.
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8. What other rapper/ former CEO of Def Jam Recordings/ NBA owner is friends with the President?
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9. Mayor Bloomberg said it best, “He put a ring on Beyonce!” With combined assets, Jay-Z and his beautiful wife Beyonce are music’s first billionaire couple.
