The lack of depth in some of the political opinions expressed here is truly astounding. It would all be laughable were it not so pathetic. Self serving attempts at claiming a higher moral ground while simultaneously being blind to the hypocrisy and irony in much of what informs those opinions; some of which are stated as “facts”. Perfect example is the just stated and typical fall back position of the liberal that HE is the only one who cares about his fellow man and is willing to help him. All the while, clamoring for civility and respect while being incapable or unwilling to understand that the disagreement is in the methodology that should be used to help others. To do so (understand) would not support his narrative. Better to deem the other guy and his opposing point of view as uncaring, racist, even evil. What a bunch of self serving and insulting cr@p! Something that has become abundantly clear to me over recent years is that he who sees racism around every corner and is giddily eager to “call it out” is, more times than not, the most racist of all. I couldn’t agree more that politics should be kept out of these discussions and the reasons why should be abundantly clear.
Now, “Hamilton”. I have seen Hamilton. As pointed out above, a big yawn. I should point out that while I am not a fan of rap as a music/arts consumer, I think I get rap and I understand its relevance. As an inside, I don’t understand the resistance on the part of some to the idea that it is, more than anything, urban poetry with a strong rhythm component (rhythm is an important element in all poetry). This is not a bad thing at all. For me, as far as the rap that I have heard which includes many of the recommendations here so far and which I made of point of listening to, when there is a significant music component (in the traditional sense) it is mostly used as dressing.
I suppose that an avid musical theater goer could make a case for Hamilton being a “masterpiece” of musical theatre. However, I have listened to enough rap to understand that to call Hamilton a rap masterpiece is akin to calling the music of Elvis Presley R&R masterpieces; and therein lies the irony. Like the music of Elvis Presley the rap in Hamilton is sanitized and made palatable for the typical Broadway show consumer. It lacks the edge and urgency of the rap that I have heard that has captured my attention. I will leave the determination of what can be called a rap masterpiece to others who are true fans of the genre (notice I do not say “music”). Btw, there is much revisionist history in the Hamilton’s book. First example that comes to mind is the number of times that Hamilton’s mother is referred to as a “whore”. There is not one iota of historical evidence that points to this being factual, but this does point to one of the ironies and, some would say, hypocrisies in the way that identity politics is used (abused) in the show. The show is very selective in its “wokeness”. The casting of black actors to represent the founding fathers may be considered clever in the context of a Broadway musical which highlights race issues, but there is no attention whatsoever paid to issues of gender equality. To call the show misogynistic would be an understatement
Clever, some might say groundbreaking Broadway musical. Groundbreaking in the way that Elvis was “groundbreaking”. Rap masterpiece? I don’t think so.
Now, “Hamilton”. I have seen Hamilton. As pointed out above, a big yawn. I should point out that while I am not a fan of rap as a music/arts consumer, I think I get rap and I understand its relevance. As an inside, I don’t understand the resistance on the part of some to the idea that it is, more than anything, urban poetry with a strong rhythm component (rhythm is an important element in all poetry). This is not a bad thing at all. For me, as far as the rap that I have heard which includes many of the recommendations here so far and which I made of point of listening to, when there is a significant music component (in the traditional sense) it is mostly used as dressing.
I suppose that an avid musical theater goer could make a case for Hamilton being a “masterpiece” of musical theatre. However, I have listened to enough rap to understand that to call Hamilton a rap masterpiece is akin to calling the music of Elvis Presley R&R masterpieces; and therein lies the irony. Like the music of Elvis Presley the rap in Hamilton is sanitized and made palatable for the typical Broadway show consumer. It lacks the edge and urgency of the rap that I have heard that has captured my attention. I will leave the determination of what can be called a rap masterpiece to others who are true fans of the genre (notice I do not say “music”). Btw, there is much revisionist history in the Hamilton’s book. First example that comes to mind is the number of times that Hamilton’s mother is referred to as a “whore”. There is not one iota of historical evidence that points to this being factual, but this does point to one of the ironies and, some would say, hypocrisies in the way that identity politics is used (abused) in the show. The show is very selective in its “wokeness”. The casting of black actors to represent the founding fathers may be considered clever in the context of a Broadway musical which highlights race issues, but there is no attention whatsoever paid to issues of gender equality. To call the show misogynistic would be an understatement
Clever, some might say groundbreaking Broadway musical. Groundbreaking in the way that Elvis was “groundbreaking”. Rap masterpiece? I don’t think so.