Time Magazine Unveils 2024 TIME100 List Featuring Global Influencers: Time Magazine has released its annual TIME100 list for 2024, spotlighting the world’s 100 most influential people. This year’s list includes a diverse array of figures from various fields, with a notable representation of individuals of African descent who have made significant impacts in their respective areas.
Prominent figures featured include Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy, Kenyan President William Ruto, and South African rugby icon Siya Kolisi. Other distinguished names are Kenyan social entrepreneur and author Kennedy Odede, Ghanaian-Scottish architect Lesley Naa Norle Lokko, Ugandan LGBT advocate Frank Mugisha, and Congolese human rights activist Julienne Lusenge.
Each honoree on the TIME100 list is paired with a guest contributor who provides insights into their influence and achievements. Grammy-winning musician Angélique Kidjo, for example, praises Burna Boy for his role in elevating African music on a global scale. She reflects on his accomplishments, noting, “Burna Boy has made that vision a global reality. Inspired by the fantastic drums of Nigerian folk music and studied in the craft of the great African singer-songwriters, he follows in the footsteps of Fela Kuti.” In 2023, Burna Boy became the first African artist to sell out a U.S. stadium and in 2024, the first Afrobeats artist to perform at the Grammys.
Burna Boy, paired with American rapper 21 Savage for the list, shares his respect for artists who remain true to their roots. He commends 21 Savage’s authenticity and the depth of his music, highlighting how personal experiences deeply influence their art. Burna Boy mentions, “I trust my gut when it comes to my music and collaborations, and I find myself naturally drawn to artists like 21 Savage—those who remain grounded in their convictions and consistently defy the constraints imposed upon them.”
The TIME100 issue also features four international covers, graced by actor Taraji P. Henson, singer-songwriter Dua Lipa, NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Russian opposition leader Yulia Navalnaya, each of whom has made a profound impact in their fields.
The 2024 TIME100 list not only recognizes achievements but also the broader influence these leaders have on our world, underscoring the importance of cultural, political, and social contributions to global progress.
See the full list here.
