Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda, who is currently starring as the lead role in Hamilton, shares his top hip-hop tracks exclusively with Us Weekly. See his full playlist below to find out which rap songs get Us going.
“Sober” by Childish Gambino: “This is the ultimate chilling/cleaning/driving on a sunny day song. No rapping necessary, Mr. Glover. The vibe on this is everything!”
“Close Your Eyes (And Count to F—k)” by Run the Jewels featuring Zack de la Rocha: “Sometimes you don’t miss a voice till it’s gone for a while. Hearing Zack of Rage Against the Machine spit bars with two of the best on this track is like the homecoming you didn’t even know you wanted.”
“Story 2” by Clipping: “I’m biased here: Daveed Diggs is currently killing it nightly at my show, Hamilton. But he’s also one of the best writers/MCs in hip-hop right now. Listen to this track and wonder how you lived before he was in your life.”
“BURNITUP!” by Janet Jackson featuring Missy Elliott: “Well, this is just two great tastes tasting great together. Missy is a wizard, and, boy, did I miss having new Janet Jackson music in my life. We all need Missy to hype up every track in our life!”
“Welcome to New York” by Taylor Swift: “Loving New York City is its own genre of music. I made my entry with The Schuyler Sisters on my album, loving New York circa 1776. Taylor Swift makes an impressive entry into the canon with this one.”
“You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)” by Kendrick Lamar: “Just eat this whole album up. It’s a 14-course meal and you’ll be happy you did. I keep coming back to this song. The chorus is so universal, contrasted with K Dot’s trademark paradoxical laid-back fire.”
“Talk About It” by McLovins: “I love this band. And this song takes me back to college, sitting on the lawn, wondering what the hell we’re gonna be when we grow up.”
“Love and Love Alone” by Chita Rivera from The Visit soundtrack: “Listen to Chita Rivera, one of the finest actresses alive, sing this Kander and Ebb song about being alive and have a better day.”
“Blessings” by Big Sean featuring Drake and Kanye West: “Try to get this hook out of your head after hearing it once. You can’t. Big verses from all involved.”
“Six Fo’” by Joell Ortiz & !llmind: “Joell Ortiz is one of the best East Coast MCs alive right now, if not the best. Fire emoji here.”
