Last week, I wrote about some of the singles from the Hamilton Mixtape, which is a collection of songs from, or inspired by, musical numbers from the award-winning musical Hamilton. They're performed by mainstream pop, hip-hop and R&B artists, and the album is out IN THREE DAYS.
Singles from the album have been released regularly since the announcement of its release date, and last time, I talked about three of the six singles out so far: "Satisfied," "It's Quiet Uptown" and "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)." In this article, I'll be talking about the singles I skipped last time, not because I think they're not as good as the first three, but because I was short on time.
Without further ado: The Hamilton Mixtape Singles Review: PART TWO
1. "My Shot (feat. Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz & Nate Ruess) Rise Up Remix" -The Roots
"My Shot" is the third song from Hamilton, and it is the "inciting incident," of the play. Alexander Hamilton wows his new revolution-hungry friends (and the audience) with his eloquence and tenacity and announces that "he will not throw away his shot." He'll take advantage of the opportunities he's been afforded, search relentlessly for more and make something of himself. The entire play is centered around the goal of Hamilton "not throwing away his shot." Also, in a brilliant bit of symbolism, Hamilton is meant to represent the Revolution-era United States itself: "I'm just like my country. I'm young, scrappy and hungry, and I am not throwing away my shot!"
The remix captures the spirit of the original number and modernizes it at the same time. Each rapper featured provides an assertive, hungry performance that makes the listener want to RISE UP, either to start a revolution or simply snatch up an opportunity and grip it with both hands.
Final thing: I'm about 70% that Busta Rhymes is here, because a review of the musical made the glorious claim that the character Hercules Mulligan sounded like "Busta Rhymes if he were possessed by the Big Bad Wolf."
2. "Wait For It" - Usher
I'm going to be frank and say: I LOVE THIS SONG. Even with its noticeable lack of Renee Elise Goldsberry and Phillipa Soo, this song is one of the best in the entire show, because its message is so important:
"I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original. I'm not falling behind or running late. I am not standing still. I am lying in wait."
This song is for those people who've reached particularly difficult times in life. Whether its an intolerable job or a relationship that's going nowhere or financial trouble, these situations make a person feel stuck. Worse, the unfulfilling situation feels indomitable. Even worse than that feeling is the certainty that everyone around you has their lives together, and you are being left in the dust. "Wait For It" tells the listener that these situations do change. More than that, it reminds the listener that everyone moves through life at their own pace, and there is no correct way to go about it.
I love this song, and Usher was a fine choice for it. His vocals definitely do it justice, and, even though there are some minor changes to make the song less specific to the plot of Hamilton, the overall message still gets across.
Go Usher.
3. "Wrote My Way Out" - Nas, Dave East, Lin-Manuel Miranda & Aloe Blacc
This one's basically an original song that samples "Hurricane," the song in which Hamilton decides to write and distribute the Reynolds Pamphlet. Hamilton remembers that he "wrote his way" out of poverty by publishing an essay that inspired the people in his town to take up a collection to send him to school in New York. His thoughtful "I Wrote My Way Out" is a refrain that sounds over and over again in the this version of the song.
"Wrote My Way Out" is very different from "Hurricane" in terms of message and tone, but the connection to Alexander Hamilton is clear. Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has said in several interviews that he sees strong parallels between Alexander Hamilton writing his way out of poverty in St. Croix and today's rappers writing their way out of poverty they grew up with in poor, urban areas. Each of the rappers featured (including Miranda himself) tells a story about their experiences with poverty and compares it with the lifestyles they have now. It sounds very personal, and the listener definitely feels for the performers.
Also, Aloe Blacc's hook is a thing of beauty.
These singles make three more songs that are great to listen to and profound. They are also a taste of things to come. The full album offers 17 more no doubt AMAZING songs.
