There is the Pope, Barack Obama, Angela Merkel, Malala Yousafzai and this rapper, called Kanye.
TIME has released its annual list of the 100 most influential people of 2015.
This year’ s five covers feature ballet dancer Misty Copeland, Journalist Jorge Ramos, actor Bradley Cooper, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and, the one that has a few people scratching their heads, Kanye West.
And not just one of the covers, THE COVER. Kanye tops the list as the most influential person of 2015.
Entrepreneur Elon Musk writes about Kanye West’s “long game”, speaking of the depth of his influence as West moves into the worlds of fashion, design and philanthropy.
He says, “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. “
His inclusion, and number one ranking has divided the world of social media.
With many questioning his ‘right’ to be there alongside world leaders and decision makers.
Top Comments
100% disagree with Kanye being in there, but shouldn't we also be looking at the other people who are said to be 'influential' but in all honesty, what have they done to contribute to the better of society? E.g. Kim- like really?! We should be promoting to our children, especially our girls, to love themselves for how they are and Kim does not do that! Her image makes girls believe that if they make a sex tape they will become famous and they need plastic surgery to be beautiful! Another, Bradley Cooper, while he is amazing to look at and I could do so all day what, other than being in movies, has he actually contributed to society?
TIME needed to have more people like Jorge Ramos, Ruth Ginsburg and especially people like Malala Yousafzai, they create a positive image to the younger generation , showing them that one person can make a huge difference to the world.
I'd actually agree with Kim Kardashian's inclusion - while we all love to hate her, she has had a big impact on popular culture, in terms of fashion, reality tv, social media etc. but Kanye? The only thing I know about him is that he married her. Oh, and he likes to proclaim that he is the best thing the world has ever seen, and implies that he is this generation's Jesus. How, I don't know. Bagging out other artists is all I know him for. I know two of his songs, but the reason I like them is because they involved Jamie Foxx and Chris Martin (Gold Digger and Homecoming). Not influential, in my mind. Certainly not worthy of the cover! If I'd heard he was included, I'd assume he was at the bottom of the list!
The only thing of note that I know Kanye did in the last year was offend concert-goers with disabilities in Sydney. What a great guy.