Did you ever think you’d hear a freestyle rap session in the Rose Garden of The White House?
Credit: The White House / Facebook
Neither did Lin-Manuel Miranda, the guy behind the award-winning Broadway show “Hamilton,” who took the White House and Capitol Hill by storm this weekend. Miranda was there to bring some much needed attention to the debt crisis in Puerto Rico. But the best part of the trip was Miranda freestyling with the help of the president. Thanks, Obama!
In case you didn’t know, “Hamilton” is THE Broadway play that has taken the country by storm.
Tonight's performance is in honor of our Veterans. Thank you for your service. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/4n44ZZMvql
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 12, 2015
Credit: @HamiltonMusical / Twitter
And for very good reason. It uses actors of color to portray some of our “founding fathers” and reminds the audience that they too were once immigrants trying to make it in a new land.
George Washington is portrayed by Christopher Jackson…
Christopher Jackson as President George Washington. Photo: https://t.co/SkYy3FvRPa with a mid 1800s camera lens. pic.twitter.com/JbJJEc89RK
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) November 22, 2015
Credit: @HamiltonMusical / Twitter
…Daveed Diggs portrays Thomas Jefferson…
Daveed Diggs as Thomas Jefferson. Photo: https://t.co/SkYy3FvRPa w. a camera lens from the mid 1800s. #HamiltonBway pic.twitter.com/6N2anX0lTZ
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) December 19, 2015
Credit: @HamiltonMusical / Twitter
…and, of course, the creator, writer and lead actor Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Alexander Hamilton.
Alexander Hamilton was born on this day in 1755. The world would never be the same. ?:Josh Lehrer w. mid 1800s lens. pic.twitter.com/48WAncNHGK
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) January 11, 2016
Credit: @HamiltonMusical / Twitter
That’s right. Who says African-Americans and Latinos can’t play the roles of our founding fathers on Broadway? No one, that’s who!
They were such a hit that they were invited to the White House to meet and work with children interested in the arts for #BAM4HAM.
The world turned upside down. #Bam4Ham pic.twitter.com/k6GAtd1H6K
— Hamilton (@HamiltonMusical) March 14, 2016
Credit: @HamiltonMusical / Twitter
But the trip was not just about having fun and working with children, Miranda was there for some serious business.
And, like a true Puertorriqueño, Miranda was there to represent and help his homeland as much as possible in front of the likes of Congress..
Taking the secret Senate subway w @SenGillibrand, the real life Leslie Knope. We're gonna try to help ?? today. pic.twitter.com/Cq2Yt6606l
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 15, 2016
Credit: @Lin_Manuel / Twitter
“What we need is the ability to restructure and get Puerto Rico out of the hole it’s in,” Miranda told Congress, according to Bloomberg Business. “So I’m urging Congress. If Hamilton tickets will help, I’m happy to do that too.”
And despite his comfort on stage, Miranda was super nervous addressing the leaders of the country.
Back on the secret subway w @SenGillibrand. ?? pic.twitter.com/vJcsYon7w4
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) March 15, 2016
Credit: @Lin_Manuel / Twitter
“This is a lot more nerve-racking than a Broadway stage,” Miranda said when he approached the podium, according to Bloomberg Business.
The dopest moment of the #BAM4HAM visit was Lin-Manuel Miranda freestyling with cues from President Obama.
Credit: The White House / Facebook
It was an epic stream of consciousness as Miranda flawlessly moved from topic to topic with just one-word cue cards.
And the two joined in on a well-deserved mic drop at the end. #BestieGoals
Credit: The White House / Facebook
Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda slay his freestyle rap with President Obama’s help below!
Wait for it… ⬇️ #Bam4Ham
Posted by The White House on Monday, March 14, 2016
Credit: The White House / Facebook
How’s that for a kickass visit to the White House? Share this story with your friends and show just what someone can do when they get enough fame to make some change!
