It’s not a video .. It’s a moving Painting!!!
Kanye West
In one of those rare instances, we can honestly say Kanye is not exaggerating. Directed by Marco Brambilla, the clip is said to be inspired by Michelangelo’s extravagant mural paintings like the iconic Sistine Chapel Ceiling. I like how the “good”elements such as the angelic wings and halo are juxtaposed with hedonistic images like the long horns, and the homosexual erotica between the women. It gives strong, contrasting images that will mess with the viewers expectations. Is he in hell? Entering heaven? Dealing with the chaos that is his own psyche? Are the two swordsman at the end fighting over his soul, or the distinction of killing him? It’s completely up to each individual viewer to discern. And before you can completely make up your mind, it’s all over in less than two minutes.
I noted the huge chain around his neck held the golden falcon-head image of Horus, the son of gods Isis and Osiris in ancient Egyptian mythology. Horus was a powerful diety in those ancient religions; his name translating as the “one who is above.” Goes pretty well with the song’s theme of power. And of course, this will be great fodder for the online Illuminati conspiracy theorists that have hounded Jay-Z over the last year.
Overall good job by West and Brambilla. They realized trying to do the full song would dilute the impact of the visuals. If I had to give a rough interpretation, I see the video as the battle the soul has with itself. Those contradictory images and thoughts go on in all our minds, no matter how religious or secular we might be. The halo with the sword going through it can symbolize how violence and hate can always mire individual spirituality and/or religion. The video would be great for a psychoanalyst to critique.
Here it is.
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Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 
Michael Angelo would be proud