Kanye West, Laverne Cox and Misty Copeland nabbed spots on TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World list. The list, which was released earlier today, names icons, leaders and titans like director Lee Daniels; actor-comedian Kevin Hart; President Barack Obama; Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative; Kira Orange-Jones, executive director of Teach For America, Greater New Orleans; actress Audra McDonald; and Mellody Hobson, president, Ariel Investments, as this year’s top influencers around the world.
Elon Musk, a South African-born, engineer, entrepreneur and the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors refers to West as a “titan.” “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… got him to where he is today. And he fought for his place in the cultural pantheon with a purpose. … 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,” said Musk
To see all five TIME 100 covers from the 12th annual issue, check out the gallery below.
