The new track “Live Like Selassie” by Jesse Royal, Kumar, Jah Izrehl, and Imeru Tafari has sparked conversations in the comments under the video on Youtube, especially because of its AI-created image. The still image in the lyric video highlights Emperor Haile Selassie I’s love for luxury—showing grand cars and a big mansion—which has left some fans wondering if the focus is shifting. Is Selassie being remembered more for his royal lifestyle than his spiritual role as Jah’s messenger?

For Rastafarians, Haile Selassie I is seen as a divine figure, the earthly representation of Jah (God) and the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. His lineage, said to connect him to King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, and his coronation as “King of Kings” in 1930, made him a symbol of African pride and liberation. Rastafarians also believe in living a humble, natural life and avoiding materialism, which they see as part of Babylon—the corrupt, materialistic world.

However, Selassie’s life as a king included luxury. He owned Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benz cars, and other symbols of wealth, and he lived in grand palaces like the Jubilee Palace. These reflected his role as a leader of a proud and independent Ethiopia during a time when Africa faced colonial oppression. While Rastafarians focus on his humility and teachings of unity, his royal lifestyle also symbolized Ethiopia’s strength and sovereignty.

The video for “Live Like Selassie” seems to emphasize on the emperor’s luxury more than his spiritual legacy. This raises questions about how Selassie is being remembered today. Are younger artists focusing on his image as a king rather than the spiritual leader Rastafarians believe he was?

This song reminds us of Selassie’s complex legacy. He was both a humble, devout leader and a powerful king who represented Ethiopia on the world stage. “Live Like Selassie” gives us a chance to reflect on how his life can inspire us in different ways, whether through his teachings, his leadership, or the pride he brought to his people.