The music of Hamilton feels true. It feels real to the listener. It hearkens back to the very best of what we know rap and the culture of hip hop can be because it tells the story of a man who desperately wanted to make it. Manuel’s songs of struggle, misunderstanding, triumph and failure in the musical make Alexander Hamilton, who many only knew as a man from bit of far away American history into every man. In a world where “Trap Queen” and “Hot Line Bling” describes fantastical situations that many of us don’t ever experience, the music of Hamilton tells the rest of our stories in a lyrical language that we can all understand.The universality of the story, the power of the music and drive of the arrangements envelope the listener in a story that could reflect any one of us. Hamilton captures all of us in one way or another and we have responded by making it number one.

Rappers beware. The important message is that the tides are turning and there is now a return to artistry in rap music and audiences are proving that it’s exactly what they want to hear. It is not limited by ethnicity and cannot be contained by the hood. Hamilton has turned the world of Broadway on its ear and now its coming for the music industry and I suspect Manuel will not be throwing away his shot.

The post Why Hamilton Cast Album Hit Number One on the Rap Charts appeared first on Broadway Black.

Some of us live life on the whim and some of us have every minute calculated. Wherever you fall on this spectrum, you’re in luck– there’s no throwing away your shot at seeing Hamilton when you’re able to book tickets through October 30, 2016. Yes, almost a whole year in advance! Gather up your family, hit your group texts and GroupMe, grab Bae, and collect your coins because we’re going to see Hamilton!

Hamilton is the highly acclaimed, hip hop-infused story about America’s first treasurer, Alexander Hamilton. Based on the biography of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Lin-Manuel Miranda has penned what has come to be one of the most influential and talked about shows of our generation. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Jay and Queen B, and Auntie Oprah have seen Hamilton. Join the ranks in experiencing this groundbreaking and history making work of art. 

Hamilton currently stars Lin-Manuel Miranda as Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, Renée Elise Goldsberry as Angelica Schuyler, Andrew Rannells as King George (Jonathan Groff will be back in the role after November 29) , Daveed Diggs as Marquis De Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton, Christopher Jackson as George Washington, Anthony Ramos as John Laurens and Phillip Hamilton, Okieriete Onaodowan as Hercules Mulligan and James Madison, and Jasmine Cephas Jones as Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds.

In case Hamilton breaks the Internet, #NoKimKardashian, there’s no reason to fear, as you can keep trying your luck at the lottery. Stay thirsty, my friends! Who doesn’t love a little #Ham4Ham? 

The post Yes, There Are More Tickets For Hamilton On Sale Now! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Recently, the cast recording for  Hamilton was made available to stream in advance of its digital release.  Suffice it to say, fans have been absolutely blown away! While the music is not technically “rap” in the commercial sense, it is musical theatre performed in mostly hip hop and R&B style. With musical nods to the likes of Biggie, Mannie Fresh, Trina and Beyonce, this production continues to garner new admirers who tag themselves with #Hamiltunes on Twitter. Here’s a flashback of Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda debuting what was originally  “Hamilton Mix tapes” at the White House.

The beauty of being able to listen to the recording lies in its ability to transport the listener into the rich tapestry of the story without feeling like something integral has been missed. Who knew Alexander Hamilton was such a complicated and intriguing founding father?  If you have kids in Civics and History, love musical theatre, enjoy various iterations of rap and R&B, or just want to expand your palate for the arts, you really ought to listen to the soundtrack. It’s a fresh take on history in a contemporary musical form with a super diverse cast (as in Aaron Burr is played by a Black man).

We enjoyed every second of the recording! It’s a perfect starter piece if you always thought Broadway wasn’t for you. As an added bonus, The Roots stepped in to help produce the official cast recording. It’s always amazing to see the mighty path Hip Hop has carved through our culture and how its ethos continues to be a major part of the American narrative.

If you do check it out, let us know your thoughts!  You can purchase it on iTunes, Google Play or Amazon or enjoy the music stream right here!

The post The New Hamilton Cast Recording Lives up to the Hype! appeared first on Broadway Black.

Hamilton, the musical about writer and revolutionary Alexander Hamilton, continues to break theater barriers in concept, casting, and storytelling. bringing fresh and desperately needed life to the Broadway stage. We previously broached the notion of “non-traditional” casting becoming traditional, and it is a conversation that needs to continue. It is good to know that this is being appreciated by not only the artistic community, but the President himself.

For tickets and more information about Hamilton, which opens on Broadway August 6th, visit www.hamiltonbroadway.com

See the exchange between President Obama and John Stewart below.

The post President Obama Talks Hamilton Musical With Jon Stewart appeared first on Broadway Black.