Can Lin Miranda write in other musical styles?

He is currently Broadway's hottest composer with a fan base that would be the envy of many rock stars. So far he has done two shows in the Rap/Hip-Hop style (I must confess I do not understand the distinction between the two,) I greatly admire his dedication to craft, obsessively rewriting every quatrain to make it as close to perfection as possible.

That said, I wonder if he could write Jazz, or traditional-style musical comedy styles or even something operatic or in a more "classical" musical language. I bet it would be sensational.

This is the $ 64,000 question. Time will tell

I would argue that he's already exhibited a lot of versatility beyond the hip-hop/rap he's known best for.

Who cares? Who or what is requiring him to be able to write in such range? I'm not doubting whether he can or can't write in other styles, but what's wrong with him being completely masterful in the realm he works in? It's his craft.

Updated On: 4/24/16 at 10:14 PM

Yes he can! As others noted, the songs in Hamilton are a wide range of different types of genre. Which is what makes Hamilton great.

Also he wrote music for Star Wars and the upcoming Disney movie. Certainly the music in Star Wars was not hip hop.

One of the things I admire about LMM is he was raised appreciating Broadway musical classics. I am sure he can write a more "traditional" musical. However, he will probably stick with what he does best and the niche he has created for himself.

Updated On: 4/25/16 at 12:06 AM

Can Mozart write in other musical styles?

Can Sondheim write in other musical styles?

Can Debussy write in other musical styles?

How about Cole Porter? He got anything else up his sleeve????

It's less impressive for a composers to write in different styles than to create their own style entirely. The ones who make it into the history books are the ones that create their own musical language.

Updated On: 4/25/16 at 12:17 AM

"The ones who make it into the history books are the ones that create their own musical language."

LMM didn't create the language of rap, he usurped it for his own, brilliant purposes. Of course he can write in other styles and undoubtedly will when he has a story to tell that doesn't lend itself to the musical vernacular for which he's become well known.

I am surprised no one mentioned Dear Theodosia. That is another great song that sounds different than the rest. Even Hurricane has a different sound.

aaaaaa15 said: "I just looked through the Hamilton track-listing and really only about half of the songs can be called primarily rap.



"

Agreed. You can pull out a lot more songs that are not rap. History has its Eyes on You is not rap, although the music has more of a hip hop or R&B sound.

Updated On: 4/25/16 at 01:33 AM

gypsy101 said: "I really don't even think the scores for In the Heights and Hamilton are that similar. Everyone who doesn't like Hamilton says that they're too similar but when you really get to know it they're very different scores.



"

I agree with this. After listening to both cast recordings, I prefer In the Heights. Not sure if it has to do with not having seen Hamilton yet. But, the 1St time I listened to that all the way through, it felt a little tedious because there is so much. Great music. But, I think I just like the sound of In the Heights better. Still like Hamilton though.

gypsy101 said: "I really don't even think the scores for In the Heights and Hamilton are that similar. Everyone who doesn't like Hamilton says that they're too similar but when you really get to know it they're very different scores."

They aren't. They both feature rap (to different degrees) and that's it. It's like saying all rock musicals sound too similar or all golden age era musicals sound too similar. There is no latin/salsa in Hamilton and almost no R&B in ITH.

he obviously can There are traditional broadway songs in Hamilton and In the Heights as well as jazz, pop etc. He also wrote music for Star Wars and is writing for Moana which I doubt will have much rap. He seems to have a great understanding of the musical style and was raised on the classics. Sondheim and Les Mis for example were huge inspirations when he was writing Hamilton. Even In the Heights and Hamilton are so different. In the Heights was latin influenced. But I don't think he will drop the hip hop thing. That what he's known for right?



Also I have a question. Were there any hip hop musicals on broadway before in the Heights?

He's writing the music and songs for Disney's Moana, so we'll see what style that ends up being.



I think he certainly can write anything, including a traditional musical score, but his forte and passion is infusing various styles with hip-hop. That's his wheelhouse.