How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics • Hacker News Board

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#21

Post by Tenhundfeld » Mon, Jun 27, 2016, 3:06 PM UTC

kyrre wrote: post #14

pja wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Because it’s very, very good? That isn’t any kind of guarantee of success, but it’s a damn good base to start from.

right. i just got the impression it was particular popular among the leftist crowd, e.g., HCR is now giving away 'free' tickets [1], and i thought it maybe had something to do with Hamilton's political views. [1] https://twitter.com/Communism_Kills/status/74685929910477619...

Eh, not really. I mean, I think (don't know) that Broadway shows and rap music are more popular on the left than the right. So, it's probably true that the show is more popular with liberals than it is with conservatives. But I don't think it has anything to do with the message of the show or Hamilton's politics.

It's not really an overtly political show, other than a few jokes about immigrants being effective. That is, the show covers highly political material as it profiles Hamilton, a Federalist. But I don't think the show itself has a strong political message it's trying to propagate, at least not in relation to current campaigns. You could argue the show is making the statement that the founding of the country and the founding fathers are history that belongs to all of us, people of color, recent immigrants, white descendants of the pilgrims, etc. – and that history needs to be told in new ways and understood by everyone.

But I think advocating better understanding of our history is something conservatives appreciate too, and in general, conservatives believe in self-reliance, accountability, etc., and should respect the self-made story of Hamilton.

I think HRC is giving away tickets just to piggyback on the popularity of the show and its recent Tony wins. Also, seeing as HRC was a Senator from New York (and I think currently resides in NY officially), it makes sense for her to associate with a cultural phenomenon from there.

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#22

Post by Tenhundfeld » Mon, Jun 27, 2016, 3:30 PM UTC

OwlsParliament wrote: post #8

fnord123 wrote: post #7

For people not living in NY: "Hamilton" is a 2015 musical about the US president Alexander Hamilton and it's very popular in that part of the world.

It's fairly popular outside of there now as well.

Right. It was nominated for a record number of Tony's and was 1 shy of the record wins. It won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The cast recording was recently certified Platinum, is currently #3 on the Billboard overall charts and #1 on the rap charts, and was voted in top 5 rap albums of 2015 by most reviewers. It also won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The creator recently won the MacArthur genius award.

"Hamilton" is not just a Broadway show popular with people living near NY. It's a cultural phenomenon across the United States and from my limited exposure, English-speakers around the world.

Nothing wrong with explaining it. I'm sure many people here don't know anything about it. That explanation was a little weak though, because it a) misstated Alexander Hamilton's role in history and b) really understated the significance of the show.

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#23

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Jun 27, 2016, 11:42 PM UTC

drzaiusapelord wrote: post #17

kyrre wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why is this musical so popular? btw, Alexander Hamilton was never the president

>why is this musical so popular? My wife loves it and I listened to parts of it and it has some really catchy rap. She never got into hip-hop culture, so I think this is the the big breakthrough for a lot of white middle-class and higher theater/musical people who previously found this stuff inaccessible. This is pretty much Kanye for housewives and grandmas. Its non-threatening and if there is anything controversial…

[deleted]

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#24

Post by bertiewhykovich » Mon, Jun 27, 2016, 11:43 PM UTC

drzaiusapelord wrote: post #17

kyrre wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

why is this musical so popular? btw, Alexander Hamilton was never the president

>why is this musical so popular? My wife loves it and I listened to parts of it and it has some really catchy rap. She never got into hip-hop culture, so I think this is the the big breakthrough for a lot of white middle-class and higher theater/musical people who previously found this stuff inaccessible. This is pretty much Kanye for housewives and grandmas. Its non-threatening and if there is anything controversial…

I get the impression that "Hamilton" appeals to people who want to feel "down with the minorities" but get the vapors if they accidentally look at Section 8 housing.

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#25

Post by fnord123 » Tue, Jun 28, 2016, 7:15 AM UTC

Tenhundfeld wrote: post #22

OwlsParliament wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fairly popular outside of there now as well.

Right. It was nominated for a record number of Tony's and was 1 shy of the record wins. It won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The cast recording was recently certified Platinum, is currently #3 on the Billboard overall charts and #1 on the rap charts, and was voted in top 5 rap albums of 2015 by most reviewers. It also won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The creator recently won the MacArthu…

>It's a cultural phenomenon across the United States and from my limited exposure, English-speakers around the world.

I had only heard about it from watching John Oliver.

Re: How We Analyzed and Visualized Hamilton’s Rhyming Lyrics

#26

Post by Tenhundfeld » Thu, Jun 30, 2016, 12:55 PM UTC

fnord123 wrote: post #25

Tenhundfeld wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Right. It was nominated for a record number of Tony's and was 1 shy of the record wins. It won the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. The cast recording was recently certified Platinum, is currently #3 on the Billboard overall charts and #1 on the rap charts, and was voted in top 5 rap albums of 2015 by most reviewers. It also won the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The creator recently won the MacArthu…

>It's a cultural phenomenon across the United States and from my limited exposure, English-speakers around the world. I had only heard about it from watching John Oliver.

Yep, like I said, I'm sure many people haven't heard of it, probably more than have heard of it. But your comment actually supports my point. How many other musicals have you heard about on John Oliver?

"Hamilton" has reached the point where it's a part of the mainstream pop culture, discussed on national morning shows, late night talk shows, etc. That's unusual for a Broadway show, these days.