Hamilton: The Mixtape Edition by Laura Stein, Adult Services Librarian, Grand Central LibraryNovember 22, 2016

As if we needed another reason, there is now even more to love about "Hamilton": On December 2, the "Hamilton" Mixtape is dropping with appearances from some amazing artists. The songs aren't just covers; there will be whole new verses inspired by the original musical soundtrack and songs that were picked up from the cutting room floor.

Lin-Manuel Miranda will not be abandoning the whole soundtrack.*  You’ll hear him on “Wrote My Way Out” alongside Nas, Dave East, and Aloe Blacc, as well as on a couple of demos. Lin-Manuel Miranda chose his guests wisely.  You can hear this clear, strong flow that’s present in Hamilton from Dave East and Watsky (try Conversations on x Infinity) on their own albums. Check Aloe Blacc if you're a fan of Pharrell's. You’ll discover new names, but the mixtape also has many classic vocalists, such as Usher, Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and the Roots. QuestLove produced the album, so the Roots makes three appearances—at least—and once with Busta Rhymes. Another classic team-up is Ja Rule and Ashanti, a welcome throwback. I'm most excited for the "Dear Theodosia" reprise track with her one true love, Chance the Rapper. He'll be with Francis and the Lights so you can expect ethereality. The first "Dear Theodosia" on the album is Regina Spektor and Ben Folds, which should be spectacular as well. I'm also excited to hear a new duo, Common with Ingrid Michaelson on "Who Tells Your Story": how sensuous is that going to be? 

Riz MC, the other half to Heems (also of Das Racist) in the group Swet Shop Boys, shows up on the track “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” with K’naan, Snow Tha Product, and Residente. It should be a particularly charged message considering the people delivering it. The artists are Pakistani, Somali, Mexican, and Puerto Rican, respectively. The Library does not have any Snow Tha Product, but she is worth seeking out. Other artists on the sountrack include Sia, Miguel, Joell Ortiz, Nate Ruess, John Legend, Wiz Khalifa (who will undoubtedly slay "Washington on Your Side"), Dessa, Jill Scott, J. Period, Stro Elliot, and !llmind. My favorite song from the original soundtrack (if I have to choose) is “Wait For It”, sung by Usher. 

Need more reasons to listen? Queen Latifah raps and you'll remember how great she is. Andra Day is one you'll want to hear more from, she's got that retro voice that we miss so deeply with the passing of Amy Winehouse.

Check back at the end of the month to find the mixtape in the catalog and request a hold. In the meantime, check out the original soundtrack in addition to other Hamilton resources. If the Library doesn't have an artist's album, check out the music database that the library provides access to Freegal Music. With your library card you get three free song downloads per week and three hours of streaming.

You can also visit the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building through December 31, 2016 to see our exhibition, Alexander Hamilton: Striver, Statesman, Scoundrel to learn all about the real Alexander Hamilton.

Think you know everything about Hamilton already? Test your knowledge on our Who Was Hamilton? quiz (and get details about the exhibition with your results)! Take the quiz here.

 

What’s your favorite song from the musical? Post your answer in the comments section below.

*In an interview with Vanity Fair back in March 2016, Lin-Manuel Miranda said he wouldn’t be on the album and they were still getting artists on board (which, admittedly, was not hard to do). Another great story, from Complex, about the new album from over the Summer compares Hamilton to Eminem.

View all posts by Laura Stein

Comments

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Hamilton - Favourite Song

Submitted by Paul Radford (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 2:14pm

I'm a huge Peter Gabriel fan and have been looking for a new musical hero for over a generation now. Lin-Manuel Miranda is he! I've been lucky enough to have seen Hamilton, the weekend before THAT election, and like so many others am totally gripped by it (and love the mickey-taking of the British - I'm English!). As a Dad, my favourite song has to be 'It's Quiet Uptown' but, my, what a tough choice it is....

Soundtrack vs cast album

Submitted by Karen (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 2:35pm

Great piece! I just wanted to mention that the original should really be called the "original cast album " or "cast recording." A "soundtrack" is for movies.

Favorite Hamilton song

Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 2:58pm

It depends on the day ... but my tops are My shot, Right hand man, Helpless, It's quiet uptown, Dear Theodosia, You'll be back ... oh, heck. Just all of them. They are all swimming around in my head!

Favorite Hamilton song

Submitted by Lisa (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 2:58pm

It depends on the day ... but my tops are My shot, Right hand man, Helpless, It's quiet uptown, Dear Theodosia, You'll be back ... oh, heck. Just all of them. They are all swimming around in my head!

favorite song from the musical

Submitted by Jed (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 3:28pm

I love Guns & Ships, although I can never sing along because it's so intense and fast.

Inimitable, original

Submitted by Joshua Parker (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 4:22pm

My favorite song on the original cast album? "Wait For It." The first four notes in the original version immediately hype me up. On the mixtape? Sia's cover of "Satisfied," which absolutely blows me away every time I hear it. This blog post should include her!

Hamilton Mixtape

Submitted by Deirdre Dempsey-Rush (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 4:32pm

By now, this is a punchline, but for me it's still true: Hamilton changed my life. I've been happily living under its sway for months and months. It has inspired me to write again for the first time in decades, and the simple act of listening to the cast album has broadened my consciousness and elevated my experience of the world. The subway never felt so uplifting. Life is on fleek. Sounds ridiculous but it's true, and I am not embarrassed to say it. Oh, and to answer your question, I have never been able to definitively say what my favorite song is. Every song blows me away every time.

Favorite Hamilton song

Submitted by Kris (not verified) on November 23, 2016 - 4:45pm

When I was watching Hamilton, You'll Be Back was my favorite both for its contents and how/when it was performed in the show. Listening from home, It's Quiet Uptown is the one I listen to the most. I'm very happy with how it turned out on the Mixtape with Kelly Clarkson.