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Entertainment December 2, 2016
The long-awaited “The Hamilton Mixtape” has arrived featuring cover versions and re-imaginings of songs from the smash hit musical.
Friday morning’s release was accompanied by a special note from the Broadway show’s creator and original star, Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“Good MORNING. Made you a mixtape. It took longer than we expected, but we wanted to get it just right,” he tweeted. The mixtape features stars such as John Legend, Queen Latifah, and Alicia Keys.
Chance the Rapper’s cover of “Dear Theodosia” seems to be particularly well-received, with fans tweeting that it made them “openly weep.” Additionally the mixtape features songs that had to be cut from the musical, as well as other extra material for fans.
I didnt expect the heart and soul in @chancetherapper ‘s Dear Theodosia. I have it on repeat. Openly weeping. @Lin_Manuel
— Trash Goblin (@gold__elocks) December 2, 2016
The multi-award winning musical, which has a famously diverse cast, brings to light the messy aspects of government, highlights diversity, and comments on the value of a moral code. It has become particularly pertinent following the election victory of Donald Trump.
The arrival of the mixtape also falls after the already successful musical was thrust into the headlines due to a visit from Vice President-elect Mike Pence. As the governor of Indiana he had pushed for anti-LGBT policies, including diverting funds from HIV/AIDS treatment programs to give to groups that provide conversion therapy.
READ MORE: Donald Trump Demands Apology from ‘Hamilton’ Cast (VIDEO)
Meanwhile, the show’s current leading actor, Javier Munoz, is an openly gay man who has been living with HIV since 2002. The VP elect was booed by fellow audience members throughout the show, and was read a statement by the show’s actor Brandon Dixon following the performance.
“We have a message for you, sir. We hope that you will hear us out,” he said. “Vice President-elect Pence, we welcome you, and we truly thank you for joining us here at ‘Hamilton: An American Musical.’ We really do. We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us. … We truly thank you for sharing this show — this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women, of different colors, creeds, and orientations.”
Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016
Trump later criticized the cast for their words about Pence, with his supporters even calling for a boycott. However, it did not work. As The New York Times reported, the following week “Hamilton” set a Broadway record for the most money earned in a single week. It had brought in $3.3 million for eight shows.
