Hamilton, the acclaimed Broadway musical, made it’s way to Disney Plus on July 3rd (over a year ahead of it’s original October 2021 scheduled release). The musical is wildly popular, so the film attempts to recreate an in-person theatrical experience. On a personal note, I was made aware of Hamilton in early 2015 by someone who knew I did not like musicals at all. Nevertheless, I found myself swept up in the beauty of the writing and story crafted by the gifted Lin Manuel-Miranda.

Fast forward five years and the musical is now available at the click of a button in the comfort of my home. So what has changed? The groundbreaking musical was birthed during the historical terms of the first Black president, so the ideas of reimagining our country’s history and representation had a particular resonance. Seeing the production as we approach the end of Darth Cheeto’s first (and hopefully only!) term, something feels off. What, if anything, does Hamilton have to say of importance at this time?

I asked my homie Myke C-Town (Dead End Hip Hop) to help unpack our thoughts around the musical. We debate the utility of the play as well as Lin’s motivations in creating it. What does it say to have Black and Brown people articulate the thoughts and ideas of our slave-owning forefathers? Why do some White folks act as though this is the first instance in which hip hop has proven valuable and worthy? Is this a minstrel in some form? The discussion was free-flowing and rambling, but also insightful and telling. Give a listen and let me know your thoughts!

@mykectown
@adanbean