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)

Jay-Z - "He’s an artist-entrepreneur who stands at the center of culture and commerce in 21st-century America, and his influence stretches across races, religions and regions." — Michael Bloomberg (Photo: Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

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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)

Jay-Z - For men, there's no breaking through the bond of the bromance, the long-lasting friendship that can stand the test of time. For President Obama, there are a number of famous friends who have been by his side through thick and thin. — Britt Middleton  One of hip hop's most prolific talents and the leader of the free world: it's a match made in bromance heaven. Jay-Z held a number of fundraisers for Obama during his re-election campaign (plus, wife Beyoncé performed at Obama's second inauguration). This week, Hov told a New York radio station that he "has spoken to him on the phone and had texts from Obama." However, it's unlikely that they correspond regularly given that only a select few White House staffers have access to Obama's private number. (Photo: REUTERS/Jason Reed)

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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)

Jay Z - Before he was a businessman with an empire at his feet, Jay Z was another poor kid from Marcy Housing Projects in Brooklyn raised by a single mother and involved in crime. He has used his hard knock life as material for his rhymes since the beginning of his career.(Photo: Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

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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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Jay-Z on Opening Arena in Brooklyn\r  - "We're going to open this arena right here with a concert. Maybe one, maybe two, maybe three ... I sound like LeBron."\r (Photo: fafotos/picturegroup)

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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)

Jay-Z: December 4 - The Jiggaman, who welcomed his first child, Blue Ivy Carter, this year, turns 43.  (Photo: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic)

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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)

Dynamic Duo - Our favorite couple, Beyoncé and Jay Z, attend the JR and Brooklyn artist Jose Parlá film screening of The Wrinkles of the City Havana Cuba as part of Art Basel Miami at the Standard Spa. (Photo: Billy Farrell/BFAnyc/Sipa)

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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)

Blue and Jay - Jay-Z looks so comfortable as a father. He was spotted holding his little bundle of joy, 8-month-old Blue Ivy Carter. He and wife Beyoncé decided to vacation on a yacht in the Mediterranean to celebrate Bey's 31st birthday and the success of his "Made in America" concert series before heading back stateside for Jay's kick-off Barclay's Center concert in his native Brooklyn, N.Y. (Photo: FameFlynet)

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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)

Jigga for President - Jay-Z looks like he's got political aspirations at his press conference on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to announce that he will headline the "Budweiser Made in America" two-day music festival, which will take place this Labor Day weekend in Philadelphia.  (Photo: Hugh Dillon/WENN.com)

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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)

Jay Z - Even though Jay made the Yankee fitted more famous than the Yankees did, he became invested in another New York team, the Nets. He bought a minority ownership in the team and helped to orchestrate their move to his place of origin, Brooklyn.(Photo: James Devaney/WireImage)

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Last But Not Least: His Music - Over his years behind the mic, Jay-Z has arguably become the most successful rapper of all time, with dozens of truly timeless rap classics to his name. Even when Roc Nation folds and the Barclays Center rusts away, Jay's music will live on, inspiring and entertaining aspiring rappers, young moguls-to-be and everyday people. (Photo: James Devaney/WireImage)