10 Ways Jay-Z Influenced the World
Hov has set standards and broken boundaries for years.
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10 Ways Jay-Z Influenced the World - Today, April 19, TIME magazine unveiled its new issue, which featured Jay-Z on the cover, naming him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. From Marcy projects to Madison Square back to Brooklyn's Barclays Center, there's no doubt that Jay-Z has been setting new standards for success, great music and more for years. Click on to check out 10 of the ways that Jay-Z has changed the world. —Alex Gale (Photo: TIME Magazine)
Photo By TIME Magazine
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His Live Nation Deal Was a Music-Biz Game-Changer - In 2008, Jay-Z announced a 10-year, $150 million deal to release music through concert-promotion behemoth Live Nation. With one of the best-selling rappers of all time—and a former Def Jam label exec—leaving the major label system, the deal rocked the industry, signaling a new, artist-centric shift in power. (Photo: Paras Griffin /Landov)
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He's a Style Icon - Jay-Z may not have the high-fashion panache of Kanye West, but his influence in street wear over the past decade-and-a-half is undeniable. Yes, he made "the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can," but he's also popularized several other trends, including throwbacks, striped button-ups, Chloé glasses, all-white air forces and platinum jewelry. Plus, there's his clothing line, Rocawear, which, although it's fallen on tough times of late, is undoubtedly one of the most successful urban clothing brands of all time. (Photo: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)
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He Made Hip Hop a Political Power Player - Jay-Z's close relationship with President Obama has brought rap to D.C. He's hosted fund-raisers for the prez, performed at rallies and earned the ire of conservative politicos and commentators. (Photo: REUTERS/Jason Reed)
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He Brought Hip Hop Between the Lines - Other rappers and musicians have owned parts of sports teams, but it's hard to think of another that's had the impact that Jay's had. Despite his small ownership stake (now relinquished), he was basically the face of the Brooklyn Nets, and played key roles in the building of the team's new stadium, its logo design, stadium decor and more. (Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
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Decoded Brought Rap Lyricism to the Forefront - Jay-Z's 2011 book Decoded, which broke down the lyrics to many of his classics, put brand-new spotlight on the skill, poetry and meaning behind rapping. Although RapGenius was founded in 2009, it's more recent success was arguably fueled by Hov's pioneering book. (Photo: fafotos/picturegroup)
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He Introduced Other Superstars and Talents - Jay-Z's track record as a music exec at Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam and Roc Nation is no joke. He signed Rihanna and Kanye West, two of the biggest, most influential artists of the new millennium. He also helped launch the careers of J. Cole, Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Just Blaze and other skilled rap luminaries who've left an oversize mark on the game. (Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)
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He and Beyoncé Are Redefining the Term "Power Couple" - Jay-Z and Beyoncé, who recently became music's first billion-dollar married couple, are inspiring millions with their successes and their support of one another. (Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc/Sipa)
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He's Setting an Example - In a world where too many fathers—even famous ones—aren't there for their children, Jay-Z and Blue Ivy are making a daddy-hood look cooler than ever. (Photo: FameFlynet)
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He's Breaking Boundaries - Jay-Z is shattering walls and glass ceilings that have long held back hip hop. In 2011, he broke Elvis' record for most No. 1 albums by a solo artist. In 2004, he became CEO of Def Jam, one of music's biggest labels. In 1999, his Hard Knock Life tour showed that rap could fill arenas. Rap is now widely accepted as part of mainstream pop culture, and Jay is a big reason why. (Photo: Hugh Dillon/WENN.com)