Yo Kanye Imma let you finish, but I think you’re more of an Augustus than a Caesar

Posted at March 1, 2011 by Julie J Comments Off

Some people say they get their best ideas while in the shower, but me, I become enlightened while on a cardio machine at the gym (maybe I should work out more). Anyway, while I was working out a few weeks ago, it suddenly dawned on me that “H.A.M.” is epic. Initially, I was not feeling the Lex Luger beat since they all tend to sound the same, but that opera singing is pretty ill and the energy is great for working out.

I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I spent semester abroad studying in Rome. I came back 10 pounds heavier and with elementary Italian language skills probably on par with Kanye, Mr “I shop so much he can speak Italian.” Of the many highlights there, one was my Ancient Rome and its Monuments course, an on-site course for 3 hours once a week.

From what I learned in that class, and how I imagined life to be 2000 years ago, this song and its epicness fits perfectly with my mental picture of Ancient Rome and more specifically, its battles. I can perfectly imagine something as epic as this playing as soldiers on their chariots rush into the Battle at Actium, for example (I realize loud speakers didn’t exist back then and they didn’t bring sound systems to war, for the record). I also thought that Kanye should be riding in some Roman chariot for the “H.A.M.” video if they ever make one (not Jay, though, because I can’t imagine him partaking in theatrics like that, especially considering he tame he looked in the “Monster” video while Kanye dressed up).

Along these lines, Kanye seems like he has always embraced ancient art and imagery. His “moving picture” music video for “Power” definitely reminded me of Michelangelo’s paintings. Let me point out, though, that Michaelangelo was from a much later time period (born 1475, died 1564) yet depending on what he’s paintings, they might remind me of Ancient Rome. Plus, he’s Italian.

I’m going to be real here. I was trying to think of an Ancient Roman figure whose name I could combine and make something clever like “Augustus Kanye” (but actually clever). It just so happens that Augustus, whose full name was Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus is one of my favorite historical figures (also Cleopatra, who I named my cat after) AND he has four names for me to choose from! Augustus was known as ”Octavius” between 63 and 44 BC and “Octavian” between 44 and 27 BC, and was awarded the title “Augustus” until 27 BC. Yup, his name changed almost as much as Diddy’s name has changed. Before you know it, Diddy might go by Augustus!

Sometime between when I started this article, and as I’m revising it now, Kanye tweeted “I would like to thank Julius Caesar for originating my hairstyle.” Honestly, though, I just think Kanye is more of an Augustus than a Caesar, and here’s my reasoning. First of all, Augustus’ relationship with Caesar is similar to Kanye’s relationship to Jay-Z. Augustus was the adopted heir of Caesar, and he ended up succeeding him as Emperor of Rome. At this point, it’s hard to say is Kanye will succeed Hov in the game. Nonetheless, that is along their lines, with Jay-Z being a mentor of sorts to Kanye, as seen in the song “Big Brother.” Like Caesar, Jay-Z rook in his young prodigy and mentored him.

On another note, from what I learned in my course, my opinion is that Augustus was a little larger than life than Caesar. Augustus didn’t become “Augustus” until later, when was crowned emperor by the consul for defeating Cleopatra and Marc Antony at the Battle of Actium in BC 27. Translated, the title of “Augustus” means “the elevated or divine one, somewhat less than a god but approaching divinity.” I would say that is a pretty accurate depiction of Kanye, whose attitude and ego are definitely larger than life, if he’s going to dress up as Jesus on Rolling Stone (from the same time period, I might add) and just keep pushing the boundaries of music.

So, maybe Caesar did inspire Kanye’s hair (maybe Augustus wore his hair like that, too) but on the whole, I would have to agree with myself and say that Kanye is more of an Augustus than a Caesar.