Vanity Fair has brought together the creative talents of Bono, Annie Liebovitz and Graydon Carter to to create a series of 20 covers for a special issue dedicated to sparking a discussion about the issues facing Africa and its people. Liebovitz describes the photo project as a “visual chain letter,” about Africa and is “spreading the message from person to person to person.” Now, y’all know I’m always down for some obnoxious observation here and there, but seeing the pairing of Maya Angelou with Chris Rock and supermodel legend, Iman, posing with Alicia Keys all in the name of raising awareness about Africa and its particular problems, is enough to make a snarky little brat like myself sit down and shut up.

Personally, I think my favorite might be George Clooney whispering into Jay-Z’s ear. I like to think he’s whispering sweet, humanitarian nothings.

The 16 other Vanity Fair covers featuring Condolezza Rice, George W. Bush, Desmond Tutu, Brad Pitt, Djimon Hounsou, Madonna, Maya Angelou, Chris Rock, Warren Buffett, Bill & Melinda Gates, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Iman and Don Cheadle are after the jump.

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