It’s no secret the Tony Award-winning musical is a game changer for Broadway. Only Lin-Manuel Miranda could come up with the genius idea of combining hiphop, history, and Broadway together and make it a cultural phenomenon.
If you’re a history or theater lover, maybe even if you just like music in general, Hamilton is quite literally revolutionary.
I will admit I was a bit late to the Hamilton game. One of the main reasons was I didn’t know where I could listen to the soundtrack (it’s on Spotify, iTunes, etc.). The second reason was the fact that I felt like I didn’t need any more music to listen, to and I was perfectly content with what I had on my phone. Guess who was wrong based on that assumption?
Late last year, I decided to finally see what the big deal with Hamilton was. I searched up “Hamilton,” clicked the first link I could find to the opener “Alexander Hamilton” and just listened.
Next thing I know, I’m looking into buying tickets to fly to “the greatest city in the world,” and possibly seeing the musical with my own eyes.
For those who have no clue who Alexander Hamilton is, here’s a quick history lesson:
Hamilton is one of the founding fathers. At the age of 15, he came to the United States, fought alongside our first president, George Washington, and helped ratify the Articles of Confederation that later became the United States Constitution. He eventually died after a duel with Aaron Burr, a political rival. Although we may just see him as the guy on the $20, he kind of is a big deal in American history.
Anyway, back to Hamilton the musical.
For some unknown reason, I found myself constantly listening to the soundtrack throughout the time leading up to finals and more recently, listening to the mix tape (Thanks E for getting Satisfied into my most played!).
But what makes Hamilton the big sensation that it is? I think I’ve been able to form an idea as to why Hamilton is as big as it is.
Yes, Hamilton is combination of rap and rhyme set to history, but it’s also so amazing in that it is very relatable to today’s world and society.
1. Women’s Rights: “’We hold these truths to be self evident/ That all men are created equal’ /And when I meet Thomas Jefferson/ I’mma compel him to include women in the sequel.” In case you didn’t know, it is 2017 and women earn 79 cents to every dollar a man makes. Women also didn’t have the right to vote until the 1920s and it wasn’t until 1965 that women of color could also vote.
2. Immigration: “Immigrants: We get the job done.” *Cough* *Trump* Let’s not forget how incredibly diverse the cast of Hamilton is. This group of minorities have been able to capture the diversity that makes this country what it is. I mean they casted three culturally and racially diverse women to play the Schuyler sisters! Now that is some diversity!
3. Our country in its current state: “History has its eyes on you.” Literally the whole world is on edge, waiting to see what is going to happen to the United States. Will it go up in flames? What is Trump going to do during his time as president? The world is watching and waiting.
And the list goes on and on. Check out the soundtrack for yourself and see for yourself. If you haven’t heard the Hamilton soundtrack, look it up. And if you want to hear Sia, Queen Latifah, Alicia Keys, or anyone else, check out the mixtape. Hamilton is a force to be reckoned with and if you ask me, it’s worth listening to and potentially checking a show out.