Would it kill Jay-Z to smile more often?

Jay-Z’s music isn’t as good as it was during his early career but thanks to a fantastic press team and several key political connections, he remains are the forefront of popular culture. As a proof of his continuing impact, the rapper has landed on the cover of TIME magazine’s special 100 Most Influential People in the World issue.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg composed a special piece about Jay-Z’s contributions to fields of entertainment and business, thus emphasising his weight in the game. Meanwhile, Jay-Z’s last hit without the assistance of another artist was…never mind. Read Bloomberg’s comments in TIME magazine below:

Jay Z embodies so much of what makes New York New York. A kid from a tough neighborhood who grows up in public housing, overcomes lots of bad influences on the street, never lets go of his dream, makes it to the top — and then keeps going, pursuing new outlets for his creativity and ambition. When no one would sign him to a record contract, he created his own label and built a music empire — before going on to design clothing lines, open sports bars and, most recently, represent professional athletes.

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. He’s never forgotten his roots — “Empire State of Mind” was a love song to our city — and as a co-owner of the NBA Nets, he helped bring a major league sports team back to Brooklyn, not far from his old neighborhood.

In nearly everything he’s tried, he’s found success. (He even put a ring on Beyoncé.) And in doing so, he’s proved that the American Dream is alive and well.

Info via Rap Radar!

What do you think of the cover?