Rapper Jay-Z has landed one of 20 covers of the upcoming July issue of Vanity Fair, which is guest edited by U2 front man Bono. Vanity Fair’s unprecedented 20-cover issue focuses on the plight of the continent Africa. Muhammad Ali, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Warren Buffett, George W. Bush, Don Cheadle, George Clooney, Bill and Melinda Gates and others are featured on covers as well. The Vanity Fair covers were shot by Annie Leibovitz, who flew around the world to shoot the various celebrities and politicians who have championed various causes in Africa. Jay-Z toured Africa last year to help bring attention to the world’s water crisis. The tour produced the documentary film The Diary of Jay-Z : Water for Life, which aired worldwide on MTV. “In my business, we like to say we’re from the hood, we’re not in the hood. By no means. Not even close,” Jay-Z said upon his return. The Africa issue of Vanity Fair also features the debut of a new print advertising campaign for Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons’ non-profit Diamond Empowerment Fund (D.E.F.). The advertisement features Kimora naked from the waist up in shadow except for her arms, which are draped in Green Bracelets. The Green Bracelet initiative is part of the Diamond Empowerment Fund’s goal to raise money for educational programs to uplift the people and communities of Africa. Half of the proceeds of all sales from the Green Bracelet will go to the Diamond Empowerment Fund to support educational programs in Africa. Vanity Fair will donate $5 to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS for every subscription that is bought online during the month of June.
