TIME magazine reveals ‘100 Most Influential People’

TIME magazine has revealed its ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’ — and some controversial names made the annual list.

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WHAT do rapper Kanye West and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un have in common?

They have been named by TIME magazine as two of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World’, alongside Kim Kardashian, US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Kanye West would be the first person to tell you he belongs on this list,” SpaceXFounder Elon Musk wrote in his Time 100 profile.

“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.”

Tenacious ... TIME magazine considers Kanye West a musical titan. Picture: TIME magazine

While West was named the ultimate ‘titan’, his wife was also included in the power list for her media savvy.

Martha Stewart penned this profile of the sex tape star: “Beautiful in an exotic, totally exaggerated way, Kim exudes energy, sexuality, drama, determination, impetuousness and happiness. But she and her famous, entrepreneurial siblings — shepherded by a savvy, tireless matriarch — have also expanded the very definition of family,” Stewart wrote.

“The Kardashians are a totally modern construct. They are a blended family, of Armenian descent, with bi-racial pairings (Kim is married to Kanye West) and a reportedly transgender parent. They work hard, and they stick together through thick and thin.”

Power family ... TIME magazine considers Kanye West and Kim Kardashian cultural titans. Picture: AFP/Karen Minasyan

West was one of five influential people to score a TIME cover, along with actor Bradley Cooper, Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, ballet dancer Misty Copeland and Univision news anchor Jorge Ramos.

The annual list does not rank candidates, but groups them together into five categories of titans, pioneers, artists, leaders and icons.

Actor ... American Sniper actor Bradley Cooper was named by TIME as one of the world’s most influential artists. Picture: TIME magazine

It includes contributors writing about other people on the list, such as Richard Branson on AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, Obama on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Archbishop Desmond Tutu on Pope Francis and Hillary Clinton on fellow politician Elizabeth Warren.

Among those categorised as leaders were Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Cuban President Raul Castro, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu and US ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Picture: AFP/Alexander Nemenov

Pope Francis. Picture: AP Photo/Andrew Medichini

Also on the list are Pope Francis, head of the Federal Reserve Janet Yellen, 31-year-old billionaire Elizabeth Holmes, actresses Reese Witherspoon, Emma Watson and Laverne Cox, astronaut Scott Kelly, Apple CEO Tim Cook and Serial producer Sarah Koenig.

Laverne Cox. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Sarah Koenig. Picture: Meredith Heuer

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Originally published as TIME magazine reveals ‘100 Most Influential People’