By now we've all at least heard about "Hamilton." The hip-hop musical about the "ten dollar founding father," Alexander Hamilton, has made history (quite literally) both on Broadway and in the hearts and minds of the American people. The show was nominated for a record-breaking 16 Tony awards, of which they won 11, and it also won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album, along with several other awards during its Off-Broadway production. The show's popularity continues to rise, attracting dozens of people and celebrities including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Meryl Streep, as well as the Clintons and the Obama family. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of "Hamilton," and the rest of the cast have received recognition and praise on numerous accounts, from television shows, American icons, and of course their faithful Ham fans.

So what is the hype around this musical, and why is everyone obsessing over it?

Let's start with the music.

The complexity and fast-paced rhyming of rap mixed with the poised, colonial style of the 18th century seems like a pretty humorous combination, right? That's exactly what President Obama, along with the First Lady and the entire audience of the White House Poetry Jam, thought when Lin-Manuel Miranda performed"Hamilton's" opening number back in 2009; but who wouldn't crack a smile when a founder father is described as someone who "embodies hip-hop"? This year at the Tony Awards both Barack and Michelle Obama introduced the "Hamilton" cast as they performed a medley of songs from the show. They described the musical as "not only a smash hit, but a civics lesson our kids can't get enough of one with fierce, youthful energy, where rap is the language of revolution, and hip-hop its urgent soundtrack." But why rap music?

For its storytelling quality. In recent years, people have begun to transform this type of music into more of an art form, stringing their poetic lines of struggle and redemption along a captivating beat. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alex Lacamoire, the writer and composer of "Hamilton," definitely make their songs captivating, bringing in influences from several great rappers both past and present. The narrative style of rap music seemed utterly perfect in telling the story of Alexander Hamilton's life, expanding on how he wrote himself out of hardship and became one of the most ambitious and influential minds of the American Revolution.

The original cast of "Hamilton" is made up of almost no white members- but this was done entirely on purpose; Miranda intended the musical to be "the story of America then, told by America now," thus incorporating the contemporary elements of musical style and speech while displaying the vast diversity of our country. This makes the show itself exceedingly modern while still staying true to the era and the characters of the time.

"Hamilton" also celebrates the immense impact that women had during the American Revolution; after all, how can we have Founding Fathers without Founding Mothers? The three main women in this musical are Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy Schuyler (the Schuyler Sisters). Miranda gives these women great strength and determination in show, even though the show was set during a time when women were often pushed to the sidelines. Angelica and her sisters prove that they are well-educated and confident, and bring light to women's equality and feministic values. Educated women were considered unnecessary and uncommon at the time, so for a woman like Angelica to be so intelligent and sophisticated in terms of politics caused men to view her as intense or insane. But it definitely made her into a dynamic and influential character. Work!

Eliza Schuyler, Alexander Hamilton's wife, has a role that is equally as important as her husband's, taking action after her husband's death by interviewing the soldiers who fought with Alexander, establishing the first private orphanage in New York City, raising funds for the Washington Monument, and sorting through Alexander's thousands of letters, therefore securing his legacy as well as her own. At the end of the show she asks the audience, "will they tell my story," urging them to reflect on their own lives and legacies. Because Eliza's role was so important, it makes one wonder whether the name "Hamilton" refers to both her and Alexander.

Alexander Hamilton was originally an immigrant in America, originating from "the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean" (aka Charlestown, Nevis- a part of the British West Indies), and his story is perhaps one of the first great American success stories, explaining how he rose from poverty with nothing but a sharp quill and an even sharper mind. After arriving in America at a young age, he decided he was going to create a life for himself, working non-stop because he knew that he could amount to so much more than anyone bargained for. One of the most praised lines of the show comes about in 'The Battle of Yorktown,' where Alexander and Marquis de Lafeyette, America's favorite fighting Frenchman, say in unison "Immigrants: we get the job done."

What makes Hamilton so incredibly prevalent today is its timing. In the midst of debates, political rants, and what seems like consistent persecution within the peoples of our nation, we need to be reminded of what America was founded upon: hard work, dedication, and the innate drive to make things happen. The show's lyrics resonate so profoundly in today's society, urging its listeners to rise up and take action rather than stand to the side. This past year has seen an ongoing stream of violence both abroad and here at home.The fact that this musical made its debut now (whether this was intentional or not) signifies our need for justice, respect, and the revival of our American values.

To quote Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), this musical is not a moment, its the movement.

History has its eyes on us. So how are we going to make a difference? What do we stand for? What legacy will we leave behind? Whatever your story is, take hold of it and make it your own. If all else fails, remember that you are the one thing in life you can control. You are inimitable, you are an original. But you get nothing if you wait for it.