The Roots-Produced 'Hamilton' Soundtrack Tops The Billboard Rap Charts
Over and over for almost the last year, critics have sung the praises of Hamilton, pointing to the hip-hop-fueled retelling of America's birth as an essential recontextualizing of race, class, music, and heritage. The Broadway smash's soundtrack (produced by none other than The Roots themselves) has also a runaway success following its September release--and now it appears that the commercial market is mighty damn pleased as well.
The Hamilton original cast recording reached #1 on the Billboard rap charts this week, a milestone achievement that was celebrated on twitter by its creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda. Celebrating the 46-track record's spot at the top of the hip-hop heap, Miranda wrote "You have made the HamiltonMusical OBC the #1 album on the Billboard RAP CHARTS this week."
"Unbelievable," he continued. "Thank you. You are the best."
As VIBE dutifully points out, a Broadway musical topping the Billboard rap charts is an unprecedented accomplishment. For those that haven't treated themselves to the record, it's still available on iTunes--what are you waiting for?