I was on my way to my friend’s birthday party when that lyric showed up when
party when that lyric showed up when
party when that lyric showed up when death doesn’t discriminate showed up in
death doesn’t discriminate showed up in
death doesn’t discriminate showed up in my head any time you’re going to put
my head any time you’re going to put
my head any time you’re going to put something new into the world there’s a
something new into the world there’s a
something new into the world there’s a million people who will tell you how
million people who will tell you how
million people who will tell you how they’ve done it better before she’s a
they’ve done it better before she’s a
they’ve done it better before she’s a really reserved guy and he went awesome
really reserved guy and he went awesome
really reserved guy and he went awesome credible idea no one’s gonna write your
credible idea no one’s gonna write your
credible idea no one’s gonna write your dream thing for you you’ve got to make
dream thing for you you’ve got to make
dream thing for you you’ve got to make it I hope I don’t drop these carbs you
it I hope I don’t drop these carbs you
it I hope I don’t drop these carbs you ready we’re gonna cure all right he’s an
ready we’re gonna cure all right he’s an
ready we’re gonna cure all right he’s an American actor composer rapper and
American actor composer rapper and
American actor composer rapper and writer he’s best known for creating and
writer he’s best known for creating and
writer he’s best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals
starring in the Broadway musicals
starring in the Broadway musicals Hamilton and in the heights he’s won a
Hamilton and in the heights he’s won a
Hamilton and in the heights he’s won a Pulitzer Prize two Grammys and Emmy and
Pulitzer Prize two Grammys and Emmy and
Pulitzer Prize two Grammys and Emmy and three Tony Awards among others he’s
three Tony Awards among others he’s
three Tony Awards among others he’s lin-manuel Miranda and here’s my take on
lin-manuel Miranda and here’s my take on
lin-manuel Miranda and here’s my take on his top ten rules for success
his top ten rules for success
his top ten rules for success rule number one is my personal favorite
rule number one is my personal favorite
rule number one is my personal favorite and make sure to stick around all the
and make sure to stick around all the
and make sure to stick around all the way to the end for some special bonus
way to the end for some special bonus
way to the end for some special bonus clips also as he’s talking if he says
clips also as he’s talking if he says
clips also as he’s talking if he says something that really really resonates
something that really really resonates
something that really really resonates with you please leave it in the comments
with you please leave it in the comments
with you please leave it in the comments below put quotes around it so other
below put quotes around it so other
below put quotes around it so other people can be inspired as well enjoy
– right Hamilton but I know we like as
– right Hamilton but I know we like as teenagers like if we’re writing an essay
teenagers like if we’re writing an essay
teenagers like if we’re writing an essay like and we have trouble little God if
like and we have trouble little God if
like and we have trouble little God if you want to give up did you ever feel
you want to give up did you ever feel
you want to give up did you ever feel like that all the time all the time
like that all the time all the time
like that all the time all the time and then you push through it like you
and then you push through it like you
and then you push through it like you push through it because what’s the
push through it because what’s the
push through it because what’s the alternative you’re gonna leave that idea
alternative you’re gonna leave that idea
alternative you’re gonna leave that idea stuck in your head forever that sucks
stuck in your head forever that sucks
stuck in your head forever that sucks the alternative is you go through life
the alternative is you go through life
the alternative is you go through life and you had this great idea and nothing
and you had this great idea and nothing
and you had this great idea and nothing came of it because you got tired and
came of it because you got tired and
came of it because you got tired and yeah sometimes you don’t go to the party
yeah sometimes you don’t go to the party
yeah sometimes you don’t go to the party that all your friends are at because the
that all your friends are at because the
that all your friends are at because the idea is calling to you in that moment
idea is calling to you in that moment
idea is calling to you in that moment wait for it’s a great example of that I
wait for it’s a great example of that I
wait for it’s a great example of that I was on my way to my friend’s birthday
was on my way to my friend’s birthday
was on my way to my friend’s birthday party when that lyric showed up when
party when that lyric showed up when
party when that lyric showed up when death doesn’t discriminate showed up in
death doesn’t discriminate showed up in
death doesn’t discriminate showed up in my head idea came on the a down I
my head idea came on the a down I
my head idea came on the a down I started writing it down in the train and
started writing it down in the train and
started writing it down in the train and lucky Nita of the a train break dancers
lucky Nita of the a train break dancers
lucky Nita of the a train break dancers are dancing I have my headphones on I
are dancing I have my headphones on I
are dancing I have my headphones on I get out I the whole chorus comes all at
get out I the whole chorus comes all at
get out I the whole chorus comes all at once I write it down and I suddenly see
once I write it down and I suddenly see
once I write it down and I suddenly see the shape of the whole song I was just
the shape of the whole song I was just
the shape of the whole song I was just like the chorus is bur that’s who he is
like the chorus is bur that’s who he is
like the chorus is bur that’s who he is I go into my friends party I go hey
I go into my friends party I go hey
I go into my friends party I go hey what’s that man happy birthday I got to
what’s that man happy birthday I got to
what’s that man happy birthday I got to go I get on the L train and I write the
go I get on the L train and I write the
go I get on the L train and I write the rest of the song on the way back home
rest of the song on the way back home
rest of the song on the way back home from the L to the a back up – 207 Street
from the L to the a back up – 207 Street
from the L to the a back up – 207 Street you have to do that sometimes you have
you have to do that sometimes you have
you have to do that sometimes you have to say no to your friends to say yes to
to say no to your friends to say yes to
to say no to your friends to say yes to your work because what you’re gonna do
your work because what you’re gonna do
your work because what you’re gonna do like lose that idea because you decide
like lose that idea because you decide
like lose that idea because you decide to like have a drink with your friends
to like have a drink with your friends
to like have a drink with your friends like it’s not worth it your friend will
like it’s not worth it your friend will
like it’s not worth it your friend will be there
you know yes the answer is yes
you know yes the answer is yes you always get a lot of rejection
you always get a lot of rejection
you always get a lot of rejection anytime you’re going to put something
anytime you’re going to put something
anytime you’re going to put something new into the world there’s a million
new into the world there’s a million
new into the world there’s a million people who will tell you how they’ve
people who will tell you how they’ve
people who will tell you how they’ve done it better before or how that’s
done it better before or how that’s
done it better before or how that’s already been done or how it’s not going
already been done or how it’s not going
already been done or how it’s not going to work and you have to look at those as
to work and you have to look at those as
to work and you have to look at those as motivators just like you’re going into
motivators just like you’re going into
motivators just like you’re going into acting you can’t look at auditioning as
acting you can’t look at auditioning as
acting you can’t look at auditioning as a way of getting a job you have to look
a way of getting a job you have to look
a way of getting a job you have to look at auditioning as the job because that’s
at auditioning as the job because that’s
at auditioning as the job because that’s what you’re going to spend the majority
what you’re going to spend the majority
what you’re going to spend the majority of your time doing if you love it
of your time doing if you love it
of your time doing if you love it getting the job is gravy so sure the the
getting the job is gravy so sure the the
getting the job is gravy so sure the the trickiest thing is continuing to work
trickiest thing is continuing to work
trickiest thing is continuing to work and I was very lucky with Heights that I
and I was very lucky with Heights that I
and I was very lucky with Heights that I had Tom Cale because I had someone who
had Tom Cale because I had someone who
had Tom Cale because I had someone who wasn’t me saying bringing something
wasn’t me saying bringing something
wasn’t me saying bringing something Friday bringing something on Friday this
Friday bringing something on Friday this
Friday bringing something on Friday this is good this part feels weird bringing
is good this part feels weird bringing
is good this part feels weird bringing another song on Friday every week for
another song on Friday every week for
another song on Friday every week for eight years
eight years
eight years you send unfinished work – Stephen
you send unfinished work – Stephen
you send unfinished work – Stephen Sondheim for him to critique yeah what
Sondheim for him to critique yeah what
Sondheim for him to critique yeah what is paralyzed by the time I said yeah
is paralyzed by the time I said yeah
is paralyzed by the time I said yeah Steve just tell me what you think how
Steve just tell me what you think how
Steve just tell me what you think how does that work and are you really really
does that work and are you really really
does that work and are you really really don’t know I think it’s a Muldoon’s a
don’t know I think it’s a Muldoon’s a
don’t know I think it’s a Muldoon’s a crazy idea it’s a crazy idea but in my
crazy idea it’s a crazy idea but in my
crazy idea it’s a crazy idea but in my head it was a really good idea and
head it was a really good idea and
head it was a really good idea and sometimes what you need are people to
sometimes what you need are people to
sometimes what you need are people to just not say that’s a terrible life and
just not say that’s a terrible life and
just not say that’s a terrible life and to be very careful about it then you let
to be very careful about it then you let
to be very careful about it then you let in when you’ve had a good idea because
in when you’ve had a good idea because
in when you’ve had a good idea because people get crush it for you even though
people get crush it for you even though
people get crush it for you even though I stick to this other thing and if you
I stick to this other thing and if you
I stick to this other thing and if you trust that person you love that person
trust that person you love that person
trust that person you love that person it can really affect your own view of
it can really affect your own view of
it can really affect your own view of your work I’ve learned that
your work I’ve learned that
your work I’ve learned that ideas die in front of me because people
ideas die in front of me because people
ideas die in front of me because people I respect go maybe not that I want so
I respect go maybe not that I want so
I respect go maybe not that I want so much mine but I was on vacation I picked
much mine but I was on vacation I picked
much mine but I was on vacation I picked up Cheerios book and I started reading
up Cheerios book and I started reading
up Cheerios book and I started reading it reading it to my wife and being like
it reading it to my wife and being like
it reading it to my wife and being like there’s something here right this is why
there’s something here right this is why
there’s something here right this is why I’m not a crazy person and my wife
I’m not a crazy person and my wife
I’m not a crazy person and my wife doesn’t know that’s a really cool idea
doesn’t know that’s a really cool idea
doesn’t know that’s a really cool idea like that’s as responsible for this as
like that’s as responsible for this as
like that’s as responsible for this as anything and I remember when I first met
anything and I remember when I first met
anything and I remember when I first met its all-time it was to do translations
its all-time it was to do translations
its all-time it was to do translations for the last revival of our outside
for the last revival of our outside
for the last revival of our outside story and we talked we talked shop we
story and we talked we talked shop we
story and we talked we talked shop we talked about where it should translate
talked about where it should translate
talked about where it should translate what I shouldn’t and we kind of talked
what I shouldn’t and we kind of talked
what I shouldn’t and we kind of talked about that for about a half an hour then
about that for about a half an hour then
about that for about a half an hour then he asked me like what are you thinking
he asked me like what are you thinking
he asked me like what are you thinking about next because Heights was running
about next because Heights was running
about next because Heights was running at the time was its first year and I
at the time was its first year and I
at the time was its first year and I said I think I had this idea Alexander
said I think I had this idea Alexander
said I think I had this idea Alexander Hamilton and he threw up his head it
Hamilton and he threw up his head it
Hamilton and he threw up his head it made this and she’s a really reserved
made this and she’s a really reserved
made this and she’s a really reserved guy and you had that the most incredible
guy and you had that the most incredible
guy and you had that the most incredible idea I just instantly got an alert
and that’s also as responsible for us
and that’s also as responsible for us being here as anything that early
being here as anything that early
being here as anything that early encouragement isn’t just you know this
encouragement isn’t just you know this
encouragement isn’t just you know this whole thing and he’s proved it with his
whole thing and he’s proved it with his
whole thing and he’s proved it with his career is continued to vary and like
career is continued to vary and like
career is continued to vary and like lead into what scares you and lean into
lead into what scares you and lean into
lead into what scares you and lean into what people don’t think makes a good
what people don’t think makes a good
what people don’t think makes a good musical and make that listen the show
musical and make that listen the show
musical and make that listen the show ain’t medicine it’s not like you take a
ain’t medicine it’s not like you take a
ain’t medicine it’s not like you take a hit of Hamilton and start making good
hit of Hamilton and start making good
hit of Hamilton and start making good decisions would that it were it’s a show
decisions would that it were it’s a show
decisions would that it were it’s a show it’s a musical it’s not going to cure
it’s a musical it’s not going to cure
it’s a musical it’s not going to cure your hips
your hips
your hips how can you cure your rash it’s it’s an
how can you cure your rash it’s it’s an
how can you cure your rash it’s it’s an evening of entertainment but what I
evening of entertainment but what I
evening of entertainment but what I think it does across the board and I
think it does across the board and I
think it does across the board and I know this from the 3 a.m. emails I get
know this from the 3 a.m. emails I get
know this from the 3 a.m. emails I get from the friends who have seen it is
from the friends who have seen it is
from the friends who have seen it is because Hamilton did so much in his
because Hamilton did so much in his
because Hamilton did so much in his short time on earth it forces you to
short time on earth it forces you to
short time on earth it forces you to reckon with what you’re doing with your
reckon with what you’re doing with your
reckon with what you’re doing with your time the last questions of the song are
time the last questions of the song are
time the last questions of the song are the last words of the show our time and
the last words of the show our time and
the last words of the show our time and who tells your story who lives who dies
who tells your story who lives who dies
who tells your story who lives who dies who tells your story and so you leave
who tells your story and so you leave
who tells your story and so you leave the theater wondering tells my story and
the theater wondering tells my story and
the theater wondering tells my story and that’s that’s always a good perspective
that’s that’s always a good perspective
that’s that’s always a good perspective to have I think I think it you know we
to have I think I think it you know we
to have I think I think it you know we get so caught up in the day-to-day of
get so caught up in the day-to-day of
get so caught up in the day-to-day of living that it’s you know Thorton Wilder
living that it’s you know Thorton Wilder
living that it’s you know Thorton Wilder taught it to us in our town how many of
taught it to us in our town how many of
taught it to us in our town how many of us really experienced life while we’re
us really experienced life while we’re
us really experienced life while we’re living it and I think the takeaway from
living it and I think the takeaway from
living it and I think the takeaway from Hamilton is embracing a reminder to do
Hamilton is embracing a reminder to do
Hamilton is embracing a reminder to do that
that
that I think Hamilton was ready to die from
I think Hamilton was ready to die from
I think Hamilton was ready to die from the time he was 14 years old I think he
the time he was 14 years old I think he
the time he was 14 years old I think he had I think what he has some I have
had I think what he has some I have
had I think what he has some I have which is that thing of tomorrow’s not
which is that thing of tomorrow’s not
which is that thing of tomorrow’s not promised
promised
promised I gotta get as much done as I can so I
I gotta get as much done as I can so I
I gotta get as much done as I can so I think he had this curious fascination
think he had this curious fascination
think he had this curious fascination with an obsession with death cuz he saw
with an obsession with death cuz he saw
with an obsession with death cuz he saw it at such a young age his mother died
it at such a young age his mother died
it at such a young age his mother died in bed next to him
in bed next to him
in bed next to him they both got sick she never got better
they both got sick she never got better
they both got sick she never got better so what does that do to you what does
so what does that do to you what does
so what does that do to you what does that do to your psyche what does it do
that do to your psyche what does it do
that do to your psyche what does it do to you what does do to me yes well it
to you what does do to me yes well it
to you what does do to me yes well it makes me think that my main characters
makes me think that my main characters
makes me think that my main characters got you know he sees death everywhere um
got you know he sees death everywhere um
got you know he sees death everywhere um I know I do but I guess my voice just
I know I do but I guess my voice just
I know I do but I guess my voice just said to me there what he had in him I
said to me there what he had in him I
said to me there what he had in him I have in me yeah do it do it do it yeah
have in me yeah do it do it do it yeah
have in me yeah do it do it do it yeah but you know and you know we can say
but you know and you know we can say
but you know and you know we can say well yes and but we get things done and
well yes and but we get things done and
well yes and but we get things done and we still have to plan for a know next
we still have to plan for a know next
we still have to plan for a know next week you know Hamilton had an
week you know Hamilton had an
week you know Hamilton had an appointment on the books that day that
appointment on the books that day that
appointment on the books that day that he went to that duel in the morning his
he went to that duel in the morning his
he went to that duel in the morning his hope was gonna have lunch that day he
hope was gonna have lunch that day he
hope was gonna have lunch that day he didn’t know he was gonna die mean a part
didn’t know he was gonna die mean a part
didn’t know he was gonna die mean a part of him thought he might die that morning
of him thought he might die that morning
of him thought he might die that morning but he also had plans you know how we
but he also had plans you know how we
but he also had plans you know how we all live to live a great life you must
all live to live a great life you must
all live to live a great life you must be prepared to fail sure and to die
be prepared to fail sure and to die
be prepared to fail sure and to die maybe as well yeah and that’s why the
maybe as well yeah and that’s why the
maybe as well yeah and that’s why the things that are the scariest to us are
things that are the scariest to us are
things that are the scariest to us are those seeds we plant that might outlive
those seeds we plant that might outlive
those seeds we plant that might outlive us having children getting married
us having children getting married
us having children getting married you’re putting into the world things
you’re putting into the world things
you’re putting into the world things that you might not live out to see and
that you might not live out to see and
that you might not live out to see and it’s so scary but it’s also so hopeful
it’s so scary but it’s also so hopeful
it’s so scary but it’s also so hopeful what words of advice you have about
what words of advice you have about
what words of advice you have about choosing to be an artist for career um
choosing to be an artist for career um
choosing to be an artist for career um if you wanted to anything else to it
that’s not live the comments are
that’s not live the comments are scurrying away that’s not even a joke
scurrying away that’s not even a joke
scurrying away that’s not even a joke it’s you will not make your rent by
it’s you will not make your rent by
it’s you will not make your rent by being an artist you will not live a
being an artist you will not live a
being an artist you will not live a comfortable life
comfortable life
comfortable life you’ll not a four house in the Montclair
you’ll not a four house in the Montclair
you’ll not a four house in the Montclair School District you won’t you will if
School District you won’t you will if
School District you won’t you will if you beat insurmountable odds and have an
you beat insurmountable odds and have an
you beat insurmountable odds and have an extraordinary amount of good luck as I
extraordinary amount of good luck as I
extraordinary amount of good luck as I have had and what if it is something
have had and what if it is something
have had and what if it is something that you can’t help but do anyway if
that you can’t help but do anyway if
that you can’t help but do anyway if it’s the fingers doing when no one’s
it’s the fingers doing when no one’s
it’s the fingers doing when no one’s paying you to do it then if they pay you
paying you to do it then if they pay you
paying you to do it then if they pay you to do it it’s going to be great so what
to do it it’s going to be great so what
to do it it’s going to be great so what I would tell you figure out the job that
I would tell you figure out the job that
I would tell you figure out the job that you like that will pay your rent if you
you like that will pay your rent if you
you like that will pay your rent if you want to be an artist figure out the job
want to be an artist figure out the job
want to be an artist figure out the job that allows in time to feed your soul
that allows in time to feed your soul
that allows in time to feed your soul that way and then everything else is
that way and then everything else is
that way and then everything else is gravy
gravy
gravy I think it’s forged in part by I
I think it’s forged in part by I
I think it’s forged in part by I couldn’t see away for me to have a
couldn’t see away for me to have a
couldn’t see away for me to have a career in musical theater based on the
career in musical theater based on the
career in musical theater based on the musicals that already existed I don’t
musicals that already existed I don’t
musicals that already existed I don’t dance well enough to play Bernardo or
dance well enough to play Bernardo or
dance well enough to play Bernardo or Paul in A Chorus Line and I don’t really
Paul in A Chorus Line and I don’t really
Paul in A Chorus Line and I don’t really have an operatic enough voice to play
have an operatic enough voice to play
have an operatic enough voice to play the Man of La Mancha and if you’re
the Man of La Mancha and if you’re
the Man of La Mancha and if you’re Latino dude that’s all you get or that’s
Latino dude that’s all you get or that’s
Latino dude that’s all you get or that’s all you got for a while that’s just that
all you got for a while that’s just that
all you got for a while that’s just that was the reality and you know my senior
was the reality and you know my senior
was the reality and you know my senior year in high school there’s a musical
year in high school there’s a musical
year in high school there’s a musical called the cake man by Paul Simon it’s
called the cake man by Paul Simon it’s
called the cake man by Paul Simon it’s written by Paul Simon starred Mark
written by Paul Simon starred Mark
written by Paul Simon starred Mark Anthony
Anthony
Anthony Ruben blades and neaten Osorio if you
Ruben blades and neaten Osorio if you
Ruben blades and neaten Osorio if you were to write my dream collaborators and
were to write my dream collaborators and
were to write my dream collaborators and cast you would have created cape man and
cast you would have created cape man and
cast you would have created cape man and it came and went it was a sort of a
it came and went it was a sort of a
it came and went it was a sort of a notorious Broadway flop and it was also
notorious Broadway flop and it was also
notorious Broadway flop and it was also in addition to opening and closing very
in addition to opening and closing very
in addition to opening and closing very quickly it was like a slap across the
quickly it was like a slap across the
quickly it was like a slap across the face hey no one’s going to write your
face hey no one’s going to write your
face hey no one’s going to write your dream musical no one’s going to do it
dream musical no one’s going to do it
dream musical no one’s going to do it for you
for you
for you and that’s when I started I think in the
and that’s when I started I think in the
and that’s when I started I think in the heights was born out of the ashes of the
heights was born out of the ashes of the
heights was born out of the ashes of the cape man it was out of the ashes of no
cape man it was out of the ashes of no
cape man it was out of the ashes of no one’s gonna write your dream thing for
one’s gonna write your dream thing for
one’s gonna write your dream thing for you you’ve got to make it and I had been
you you’ve got to make it and I had been
you you’ve got to make it and I had been writing one-act musicals in high school
writing one-act musicals in high school
writing one-act musicals in high school and I doubled down on
and I doubled down on
and I doubled down on because I realized the only way to have
because I realized the only way to have
because I realized the only way to have a career in this world that I loved
a career in this world that I loved
a career in this world that I loved Conrad birdie gold lemme jacket was to
Conrad birdie gold lemme jacket was to
Conrad birdie gold lemme jacket was to write it and that’s what in the heights
write it and that’s what in the heights
write it and that’s what in the heights was was in Knight was my way of writing
was was in Knight was my way of writing
was was in Knight was my way of writing a Latino story line in which we never
a Latino story line in which we never
a Latino story line in which we never played gang members once and you know
played gang members once and you know
played gang members once and you know that’s that was that was I felt a very
that’s that was that was I felt a very
that’s that was that was I felt a very well explored by the musical theater
well explored by the musical theater
well explored by the musical theater community section Puerto Rican gang
community section Puerto Rican gang
community section Puerto Rican gang members you guys got it
members you guys got it
members you guys got it zoot suit you know West Side Story K man
zoot suit you know West Side Story K man
zoot suit you know West Side Story K man like well covered
like well covered
like well covered let’s do cover the million other things
let’s do cover the million other things
let’s do cover the million other things Latinos too I’m out of college I’m 23
Latinos too I’m out of college I’m 23
Latinos too I’m out of college I’m 23 years old and Tommy Cal and I are
years old and Tommy Cal and I are
years old and Tommy Cal and I are meeting with a veteran theater producer
meeting with a veteran theater producer
meeting with a veteran theater producer to pay rent I am a professional
to pay rent I am a professional
to pay rent I am a professional substitute teacher at my old high school
substitute teacher at my old high school
substitute teacher at my old high school Tommy is Audra McDonald’s assistant
Tommy is Audra McDonald’s assistant
Tommy is Audra McDonald’s assistant Tommy is directing in the heights and
Tommy is directing in the heights and
Tommy is directing in the heights and with his genius brain in my corner my 80
with his genius brain in my corner my 80
with his genius brain in my corner my 80 minute one-act is now 2 at this big deal
minute one-act is now 2 at this big deal
minute one-act is now 2 at this big deal theater producer has seen a reading we
theater producer has seen a reading we
theater producer has seen a reading we put on in the basement of the drama book
put on in the basement of the drama book
put on in the basement of the drama book shop in midtown Manhattan and he is
shop in midtown Manhattan and he is
shop in midtown Manhattan and he is giving us his thoughts we hang on his
giving us his thoughts we hang on his
giving us his thoughts we hang on his every word this is a big deal theater
every word this is a big deal theater
every word this is a big deal theater producer and we are kids desperate to
producer and we are kids desperate to
producer and we are kids desperate to get our show on we are discussing the
get our show on we are discussing the
get our show on we are discussing the character of Nina Rosario home from her
character of Nina Rosario home from her
character of Nina Rosario home from her first year at Stanford the first in her
first year at Stanford the first in her
first year at Stanford the first in her family to go to college the big deal
family to go to college the big deal
family to go to college the big deal theatre producer says now I know in your
theatre producer says now I know in your
theatre producer says now I know in your version Nina’s coming home with a secret
version Nina’s coming home with a secret
version Nina’s coming home with a secret from her parents she’s lost her
from her parents she’s lost her
from her parents she’s lost her scholarship the song is great the
scholarship the song is great the
scholarship the song is great the actress is great what I’m bumping up
actress is great what I’m bumping up
actress is great what I’m bumping up against fellas is that this doesn’t feel
against fellas is that this doesn’t feel
against fellas is that this doesn’t feel high-stakes enough scholarship big deal
high-stakes enough scholarship big deal
high-stakes enough scholarship big deal what if she’s pregnant what if her
what if she’s pregnant what if her
what if she’s pregnant what if her boyfriend at school hit her
boyfriend at school hit her
boyfriend at school hit her what if she got caught with drugs it
what if she got caught with drugs it
what if she got caught with drugs it doesn’t have to be any of those things
doesn’t have to be any of those things
doesn’t have to be any of those things you’re the writer
you’re the writer
you’re the writer but do you see what I’m getting at guys
but do you see what I’m getting at guys
but do you see what I’m getting at guys a way to ramp up the stakes of your
a way to ramp up the stakes of your
a way to ramp up the stakes of your story I resist the urge to crack my
story I resist the urge to crack my
story I resist the urge to crack my shoulder
shoulder
shoulder we get through the meeting and Tommy and
we get through the meeting and Tommy and
we get through the meeting and Tommy and I again alone look at each other he
I again alone look at each other he
I again alone look at each other he knows what I’m gonna say before I say it
knows what I’m gonna say before I say it
knows what I’m gonna say before I say it pregnant
pregnant
pregnant I know Nina on drugs I was there but he
I know Nina on drugs I was there but he
I know Nina on drugs I was there but he wants to put our show up Tommy looks at
wants to put our show up Tommy looks at
wants to put our show up Tommy looks at me that’s not the story you want to tell
me that’s not the story you want to tell
me that’s not the story you want to tell and it’s not the show I want to direct
and it’s not the show I want to direct
and it’s not the show I want to direct there are ways to raise the stakes that
there are ways to raise the stakes that
there are ways to raise the stakes that are not that will just keep working if I
are not that will just keep working if I
are not that will just keep working if I could get in a time machine and watch
could get in a time machine and watch
could get in a time machine and watch any point in my life it would be this
any point in my life it would be this
any point in my life it would be this moment the moment where Tommy Cal looked
moment the moment where Tommy Cal looked
moment the moment where Tommy Cal looked at uncertain frazzled me desperate for a
at uncertain frazzled me desperate for a
at uncertain frazzled me desperate for a production and a life in this business
production and a life in this business
production and a life in this business tempted and said no for us
tempted and said no for us
tempted and said no for us I keep subbing he continues working for
I keep subbing he continues working for
I keep subbing he continues working for Audra we keep working on in the heights
Audra we keep working on in the heights
Audra we keep working on in the heights for five years until we find the right
for five years until we find the right
for five years until we find the right producers in Jill Fuhrman and Kevin
producers in Jill Fuhrman and Kevin
producers in Jill Fuhrman and Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey seller until Philly
McCollum and Jeffrey seller until Philly
McCollum and Jeffrey seller until Philly native Kiara who this becomes my
native Kiara who this becomes my
native Kiara who this becomes my co-writer and reframes our show around a
co-writer and reframes our show around a
co-writer and reframes our show around a community instead of a love triangle
community instead of a love triangle
community instead of a love triangle until Alex lack of ore and Bill strim
until Alex lack of ore and Bill strim
until Alex lack of ore and Bill strim and take my songs and make them come to
and take my songs and make them come to
and take my songs and make them come to life through their orchestrations it
life through their orchestrations it
life through their orchestrations it will be another five years before
will be another five years before
will be another five years before Heights reaches Broadway exactly as we
Heights reaches Broadway exactly as we
Heights reaches Broadway exactly as we intended it how you were able to learn
intended it how you were able to learn
intended it how you were able to learn and improve your freestyle rap skills oh
and improve your freestyle rap skills oh
and improve your freestyle rap skills oh this is a great question there you’re
this is a great question there you’re
this is a great question there you’re kidding yourself if you think anyone
kidding yourself if you think anyone
kidding yourself if you think anyone comes by it naturally it’s a power that
comes by it naturally it’s a power that
comes by it naturally it’s a power that you have to develop over time and when I
you have to develop over time and when I
you have to develop over time and when I was in high school I was two sided to
was in high school I was two sided to
was in high school I was two sided to out friends in high school were really
out friends in high school were really
out friends in high school were really good at it and I was the beatboxing kid
and then college written so much by the
and then college written so much by the time I got into college that I started
time I got into college that I started
time I got into college that I started doing for fun with my friends and just
doing for fun with my friends and just
doing for fun with my friends and just getting less and less afraid and I can
getting less and less afraid and I can
getting less and less afraid and I can remember one College Road Trip I took it
remember one College Road Trip I took it
remember one College Road Trip I took it was was with three friends we decided to
was was with three friends we decided to
was was with three friends we decided to trial until recommend this we decided to
trial until recommend this we decided to
trial until recommend this we decided to drive to Vegas and back in a week never
drive to Vegas and back in a week never
drive to Vegas and back in a week never get to Vegas and back everyone who left
get to Vegas and back everyone who left
get to Vegas and back everyone who left us was like they’re different but I got
us was like they’re different but I got
us was like they’re different but I got Kansas 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. shift so
Kansas 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. shift so
Kansas 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. shift so it’s me driving all we have are these
it’s me driving all we have are these
it’s me driving all we have are these cans of Red Bull and everyone else in
cans of Red Bull and everyone else in
cans of Red Bull and everyone else in the car is passed out and I remember
the car is passed out and I remember
the car is passed out and I remember popping it we made a bunch of mixtapes
popping it we made a bunch of mixtapes
popping it we made a bunch of mixtapes for the ride he’d worn them all out by
for the ride he’d worn them all out by
for the ride he’d worn them all out by the time we got to about 20 hours in but
the time we got to about 20 hours in but
the time we got to about 20 hours in but I just started drinking Red Bulls and
I just started drinking Red Bulls and
I just started drinking Red Bulls and popping in these hip-hop cassettes and
popping in these hip-hop cassettes and
popping in these hip-hop cassettes and rapping to myself like I and the Kansas
rapping to myself like I and the Kansas
rapping to myself like I and the Kansas I’m crazy man this is crazy yep and just
I’m crazy man this is crazy yep and just
I’m crazy man this is crazy yep and just literally talking to myself
literally talking to myself
literally talking to myself autonomy survival can deter the next
autonomy survival can deter the next
autonomy survival can deter the next person’s turn to drive I was good at
Kansas and white like gas station for
Kansas and white like gas station for gas station bar by the end of it I was
gas station bar by the end of it I was
gas station bar by the end of it I was like a new arrived and then freestyle
like a new arrived and then freestyle
like a new arrived and then freestyle Love Supreme of the other part of that
Love Supreme of the other part of that
Love Supreme of the other part of that is that I’m in a hip-hop group where we
is that I’m in a hip-hop group where we
is that I’m in a hip-hop group where we do show is where we don’t plan what’s
do show is where we don’t plan what’s
do show is where we don’t plan what’s gonna happen we get suggested for the
gonna happen we get suggested for the
gonna happen we get suggested for the audience and we have a beatboxer we have
audience and we have a beatboxer we have
audience and we have a beatboxer we have 2000 keys and we just make up the show
2000 keys and we just make up the show
2000 keys and we just make up the show and we just forced ourselves into that
and we just forced ourselves into that
and we just forced ourselves into that insane situation and did it until we got
insane situation and did it until we got
insane situation and did it until we got good at it
good at it
good at it and so I’ve had my 10,000 by Malcolm
and so I’ve had my 10,000 by Malcolm
and so I’ve had my 10,000 by Malcolm Gladwell II intend though at that and
Gladwell II intend though at that and
Gladwell II intend though at that and now it’s sort of now it’s almost like an
now it’s sort of now it’s almost like an
now it’s sort of now it’s almost like an Instagram filter in my brain like if I
Instagram filter in my brain like if I
Instagram filter in my brain like if I make an acceptance speech at the Grammys
make an acceptance speech at the Grammys
make an acceptance speech at the Grammys or the Tony’s like it’s easier for me to
or the Tony’s like it’s easier for me to
or the Tony’s like it’s easier for me to make it rhyme than to have to speak as
make it rhyme than to have to speak as
make it rhyme than to have to speak as much why did the Jimmy Fallon thing I
much why did the Jimmy Fallon thing I
much why did the Jimmy Fallon thing I was much less nervous to play we love
was much less nervous to play we love
was much less nervous to play we love freestyle that I was to talk myself
freestyle that I was to talk myself
freestyle that I was to talk myself here’s how it’s going to work I’m going
here’s how it’s going to work I’m going
here’s how it’s going to work I’m going to hit this button here which activates
to hit this button here which activates
to hit this button here which activates a random word generator and it’ll land
a random word generator and it’ll land
a random word generator and it’ll land on three random words and it’s your job
on three random words and it’s your job
on three random words and it’s your job to work all three of them into a
to work all three of them into a
to work all three of them into a freestyle rap sound good yes sir okay
freestyle rap sound good yes sir okay
freestyle rap sound good yes sir okay good great now since I’m not a freestyle
good great now since I’m not a freestyle
good great now since I’m not a freestyle rapper tonight you’ll be facing off
rapper tonight you’ll be facing off
rapper tonight you’ll be facing off against our very own Tariq Trotter from
against our very own Tariq Trotter from
against our very own Tariq Trotter from the roots and it’s tricky okay here you
the roots and it’s tricky okay here you
the roots and it’s tricky okay here you go uh here’s the microphone here okay
go uh here’s the microphone here okay
go uh here’s the microphone here okay push the button here you push the button
push the button here you push the button
push the button here you push the button here to start the word generator come on
here to start the word generator come on
here to start the word generator come on oh and ease no way no well no here we go
oh and ease no way no well no here we go
oh and ease no way no well no here we go rainbow Pancake slam-dunk
rainbow Pancake slam-dunk
rainbow Pancake slam-dunk he’s got her these words before okay so
he’s got her these words before okay so
he’s got her these words before okay so this is not rehearse rainbow Pancake
this is not rehearse rainbow Pancake
this is not rehearse rainbow Pancake slam dunk ruse can you give him a beat
microphone Chuck what is this I fly my
microphone Chuck what is this I fly my rainbow flag LGBTQ business oh yes I got
rainbow flag LGBTQ business oh yes I got
rainbow flag LGBTQ business oh yes I got so much love to give and look at the
so much love to give and look at the
so much love to give and look at the colors it’s like ROYGBIV all starting
colors it’s like ROYGBIV all starting
colors it’s like ROYGBIV all starting from the bottom like my man Drake
from the bottom like my man Drake
from the bottom like my man Drake applying it to our eggs like a pancake
applying it to our eggs like a pancake
applying it to our eggs like a pancake I’ll bring any star you run out slam
I’ll bring any star you run out slam
I’ll bring any star you run out slam duck like Michael
Michael Jordan wouldn’t tell ya oh my
Michael Jordan wouldn’t tell ya oh my god how do you do that Oh awesome
god how do you do that Oh awesome
god how do you do that Oh awesome oh man oh man that’s fantastic
oh man oh man that’s fantastic
oh man oh man that’s fantastic there’s some serious business right here
Eileen the Rose Garden right now we are
Eileen the Rose Garden right now we are this is the Rose Garden right here
this is the Rose Garden right here
this is the Rose Garden right here Lea it must be a little nerve-racking I
Lea it must be a little nerve-racking I
Lea it must be a little nerve-racking I hope I don’t drop these cards you ready
hope I don’t drop these cards you ready
hope I don’t drop these cards you ready we get in the queue all right drop the
we get in the queue all right drop the
we get in the queue all right drop the beat he’s throwing up some words I’m
beat he’s throwing up some words I’m
beat he’s throwing up some words I’m gonna say some freestyling that you’ve
gonna say some freestyling that you’ve
gonna say some freestyling that you’ve never heard Constitution the POTUS I’m
never heard Constitution the POTUS I’m
never heard Constitution the POTUS I’m freestyling you know this Obamacare Oh
freestyling you know this Obamacare Oh
freestyling you know this Obamacare Oh cake I’m looking up because it was
cake I’m looking up because it was
cake I’m looking up because it was hopeless before you enact with that
hopeless before you enact with that
hopeless before you enact with that system the Federalist Papers Hamilton
system the Federalist Papers Hamilton
system the Federalist Papers Hamilton wrote the other 51 and greater and Sonny
wrote the other 51 and greater and Sonny
wrote the other 51 and greater and Sonny young ball is canine it’s same as a nine
young ball is canine it’s same as a nine
young ball is canine it’s same as a nine oh my god silence on the line
oh my god silence on the line
oh my god silence on the line I wanna see if we can get over to Mars
I wanna see if we can get over to Mars
I wanna see if we can get over to Mars and wrap more bars or spit bars and
and wrap more bars or spit bars and
and wrap more bars or spit bars and leave a carbon footprint on it and lower
leave a carbon footprint on it and lower
leave a carbon footprint on it and lower my emissions and this is Linda
my emissions and this is Linda
my emissions and this is Linda freestyling the congresista transmission
freestyling the congresista transmission
freestyling the congresista transmission I hope a Congress works to our agenda
I hope a Congress works to our agenda
I hope a Congress works to our agenda innovations important you really gotta
innovations important you really gotta
innovations important you really gotta center yourself and create something we
center yourself and create something we
center yourself and create something we need a new justice for the Supreme Court
need a new justice for the Supreme Court
need a new justice for the Supreme Court in short oh my gosh this is ruffles for
in short oh my gosh this is ruffles for
in short oh my gosh this is ruffles for boys and immigrants we get the job done
boys and immigrants we get the job done
boys and immigrants we get the job done this is so fun
this is so fun
this is so fun POTUS is holding up the signs of my son
POTUS is holding up the signs of my son
POTUS is holding up the signs of my son it’s the Oval Office oh my gosh I can’t
it’s the Oval Office oh my gosh I can’t
it’s the Oval Office oh my gosh I can’t believe I’m there it’s so much more
believe I’m there it’s so much more
believe I’m there it’s so much more intimidating than if it was square for
intimidating than if it was square for
intimidating than if it was square for opportunity knocks and I can’t stop I’m
opportunity knocks and I can’t stop I’m
opportunity knocks and I can’t stop I’m here with the president and my pots and
here with the president and my pots and
here with the president and my pots and yo the Mike drops how good is that
yo the Mike drops how good is that
yo the Mike drops how good is that that’s you think that’s going viral
that’s you think that’s going viral
that’s you think that’s going viral that’s gone viral
that’s gone viral
that’s gone viral I did not see those words prior
so thank you guys again for watching I
so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you I hope you continue to
believe in you I hope you continue to
believe in you I hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your
believe in yourself and whatever your
believe in yourself and whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
I think of mixtapes as sonic love
I think of mixtapes as sonic love letters and I think a lot of my creative
letters and I think a lot of my creative
letters and I think a lot of my creative energy in high school wasn’t spent
energy in high school wasn’t spent
energy in high school wasn’t spent literally making mixtapes
literally making mixtapes
literally making mixtapes to girls I liked to for friends of mine
to girls I liked to for friends of mine
to girls I liked to for friends of mine who I wanted them to get to know who I
who I wanted them to get to know who I
who I wanted them to get to know who I was it was easier for me to say this 90
was it was easier for me to say this 90
was it was easier for me to say this 90 90 minutes on this Maxell cassette tape
90 minutes on this Maxell cassette tape
90 minutes on this Maxell cassette tape defines who I am I put and the
defines who I am I put and the
defines who I am I put and the difference due to mixtape or a mix CD or
difference due to mixtape or a mix CD or
difference due to mixtape or a mix CD or data CD or whatever they have now is
data CD or whatever they have now is
data CD or whatever they have now is that you have to listen to it
that you have to listen to it
that you have to listen to it consecutively so I’m taking you on a
consecutively so I’m taking you on a
consecutively so I’m taking you on a ride I’m gonna start with a high-energy
ride I’m gonna start with a high-energy
ride I’m gonna start with a high-energy song I’m going to switch it up and I
song I’m going to switch it up and I
song I’m going to switch it up and I might put it in a funny interlude from
might put it in a funny interlude from
might put it in a funny interlude from like an Adam Sandler simpie or something
like an Adam Sandler simpie or something
like an Adam Sandler simpie or something then I’m gonna hit you with my fourth
then I’m gonna hit you with my fourth
then I’m gonna hit you with my fourth song is always the most important that’s
song is always the most important that’s
song is always the most important that’s the one who would tell me who I really
the one who would tell me who I really
the one who would tell me who I really am but I have been one in the fourth one
am but I have been one in the fourth one
am but I have been one in the fourth one that’s bad and clean up it’s literally
that’s bad and clean up it’s literally
that’s bad and clean up it’s literally 4th on the lineup and I really I think I
4th on the lineup and I really I think I
4th on the lineup and I really I think I still build scores the way I used to
still build scores the way I used to
still build scores the way I used to make mixtapes or girls I’m thinking of
make mixtapes or girls I’m thinking of
make mixtapes or girls I’m thinking of okay we’ve been in this energy for a
okay we’ve been in this energy for a
okay we’ve been in this energy for a while now I got to wake you up alright
while now I got to wake you up alright
while now I got to wake you up alright now we can afford to sit in a ballad for
now we can afford to sit in a ballad for
now we can afford to sit in a ballad for a little while and so when I approach
a little while and so when I approach
a little while and so when I approach when I read Ron’s book and I started
when I read Ron’s book and I started
when I read Ron’s book and I started thinking about I thought of it the way I
thinking about I thought of it the way I
thinking about I thought of it the way I thought of making mixtapes for my
thought of making mixtapes for my
thought of making mixtapes for my friends it’s I’m going to take you on
friends it’s I’m going to take you on
friends it’s I’m going to take you on this ride and the rides going to happen
this ride and the rides going to happen
this ride and the rides going to happen to tell the story of this man’s land the
to tell the story of this man’s land the
to tell the story of this man’s land the first step is to draw you in yes
first step is to draw you in yes
first step is to draw you in yes yeah the first song on mixtape is
yeah the first song on mixtape is
yeah the first song on mixtape is everything it depends whether you fat
everything it depends whether you fat
everything it depends whether you fat you fast but if you thought prose in the
you fast but if you thought prose in the
you fast but if you thought prose in the first song you messed up right right
first song you messed up right right
first song you messed up right right you’re not going to pluck press play
you’re not going to pluck press play
you’re not going to pluck press play we’re gonna get a good roll like I’m not
we’re gonna get a good roll like I’m not
we’re gonna get a good roll like I’m not tired of playing Hamilton I could I mess
tired of playing Hamilton I could I mess
tired of playing Hamilton I could I mess up in a new place every night I get one
up in a new place every night I get one
up in a new place every night I get one certain part better than I’ve ever
certain part better than I’ve ever
certain part better than I’ve ever gotten it every night I think I will be
gotten it every night I think I will be
gotten it every night I think I will be revisiting it for the rest of my life
revisiting it for the rest of my life
revisiting it for the rest of my life so but it’s no accident the best idea I
so but it’s no accident the best idea I
so but it’s no accident the best idea I ever had happened on vacation so that’s
ever had happened on vacation so that’s
ever had happened on vacation so that’s important too as Arianna Huffington
important too as Arianna Huffington
important too as Arianna Huffington notes resting is just as important and I
notes resting is just as important and I
notes resting is just as important and I always knew I’d do a year I did a year
always knew I’d do a year I did a year
always knew I’d do a year I did a year when I was in in the heights and so I’m
when I was in in the heights and so I’m
when I was in in the heights and so I’m just kind of you know that’s that’s my
just kind of you know that’s that’s my
just kind of you know that’s that’s my capacity and then I can let other ideas
capacity and then I can let other ideas
capacity and then I can let other ideas into my brain
just like my country I’m gonna strap me
just like my country I’m gonna strap me in hungry and I’m not going away my shot
in hungry and I’m not going away my shot
in hungry and I’m not going away my shot shot
shot
shot shut it
shut it
shut it strap it on
shop
shop it’s gonna take
it’s gonna take
it’s gonna take take a shot
”
Be First to Comment