Septimius The Great – “To Be Emperor”

How would you describe an artist that has shared the stage with such artists as: Chrisette Michele, Pat Benatar, Patti Labelle, Jennifer Holiday, Deborah Cox, Dru Hill, Musiq Soulchild, Wale , Martha Wash, CeCe Penniston, Crystal Waters, Pepper Mashay, Ultra Nate , Rupaul, Tiffany, Colonel Abrahms, and more. He couldn’t be anything less than great, right? Now consider that the artist in question began performing in 1997, as well as being a Runway Model, Choreographer, Fashion Show Producer, Talent Promoter, Entertainer, International Male pageant titleholder, and CEO of his own business ventures. Sounds great, right?

The artist in question here, is Septimius ,who started his recording career as a featured artist with the X9 Records recording label which led to a debut CD single with a local group under the label which topped the dance music charts worldwide.

In 2011, he was nominated by the Grammy Association for the Top 100 Music Artist on the Verge and attended and walked the red carpet in Los Angeles, CA during Grammy week. Again, nothing less than great! It is logical then to conclude that all these achievements could only be consummated by none other than Septimius The Great!

In fact, Septimius The Great is a recreation of the historical figure “Septimius Severus,” the First African Roman Emperor that reigned from 193 AD – 211 AD. Since this was a powerful figure in African and Roman history, this Baltimore, MD USA based recording artist, decided to recreate and rename the figure as “Septimius The Great” Emperor of Music – and went on to achieve even greater things.

His debut CD “To Be Emperor” spawned hit singles and a series of popular videos. Septimius most recently became a top contestant on NBC’s America’s Got Talent TV show and an 11-time Award Winner at the Indie Music Channel Awards for Best Dance Music Artist – “Iam Fashion”, Best World Music Artist – “Exotic Pleasure”, Best Rap Video – “When In Rome”, Best Dance Recording – “We Party For The People” and Best Rap Recording – “To Be Emperor”.

His recent chart-topping recording, “Who’s The Sexiest” earned him the International Music Award for Best Male Vocalist. Also in his song “I Am Fashion” garnered a nomination for Best Dance Song by the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Most recently he has also been nominated for Best Music Artist by the Baltimore Music Awards and the RAW Music Awards.

The 13-track album “To Be Emperor” also contains remixes of the above songs, including other standouts like “Exotic Pleasure” and “When In Rome (Opera Mix)”.

Overall, Septimius The Great’s ability to adapt to the present time is remarkable. As music continues to change and evolve since he stepped into the ring in 1997, Septimius The Great has clearly done the same. He is a force to be reckoned with in dance music, with a crossover sound that draws from a myriad of styles.

“To Be Emperor” is the type of album fans ought to expect from a flamboyant entertainer, who blurs genre lines especially with electronic music. Being one of the flyest artists in the independent industry, he knows how to make classics as well as make people dance.

Having deconstructed all stereotypes from his persona, Septimius The Great is doing his own thing. Hate him or love him, he’s only one of a handful of Black recording artists who have actually gotten behind the scenes of a music industry with a history of only exploiting Black musicians, and established his very own pathway.

No gangsta rap, no misogyny, his music is entertainment with a capitol ‘E’, and when Septimius The Great sings the call to response chorus, ““Who’s is the Sexiest”, and the answer come echoing back, “ Septimius”, believe the hype!