Franklin vs. Hamilton

Before we begin, let’s consider the following:

“It’s all about the Benjamins, baby”

– Puff Daddy, “All About the Benjamins”

“Benjamin Franklin on X how that cash roll…”

– Lil Wayne, “Maybach Music 2”

“Think that Benji at the door, grab the chopper go get it…”

– Meek Mill “Fuck You Mean, Boi?”

I have written before about my love and respect for rap music. The rebelliousness, the “F- you” mentality, the vast potential to be a catalyst for a movement... rap is a true testament to the attitudes that We, The People, all love to embrace.  I also love it because I get shout-outs in almost every song – I’m a THEME! The respect I’ve received in rap and hip-hop is flattering and, frankly, well warranted since, I’m the literal “face” of capitalism…

So you can imagine my surprise when I first listened to the Alexander Hamilton Musical – a hip-hop musical about one of the Founding Father –  and felt that both my city, Philly, and I were completely ignored and disrespected.

For starters, where’s the love for Philly? The way you sing about New York – like some 18th-century Jay-Z-esque Sinatra – would make the casual layman believe that New York was the prominent city during the Revolution. Nah-uhhhh, buddy! You are not taking away our place in history just because of modern society’s “New York-centric” view of American pop-culture.  That “Empire State of Mind” does nopt fly in Philadelphia. Remember what we did to the last Empire that tried to take what it wanted…

More importantly, where am I in the musical?! How is that they have Jefferson, Washington, and Madison in the musical and the ONLY reference that they make about me, Ben Franklin, is:

“It’s Ben Franklin with the key and the kite, you see it right?”

- Angelica Schuyler, “Satisfied”

The line is… fine. It’s a bit lazy as figurative language goes, if I’m giving you my honest opinion…

But what really offends me is the fact that my legendary reputation has become relegated to a weak figurative analogy to describe the “electrifying” connection between Hamilton and his sister-in-law!!!

*Quick note: On practical terms, I do appreciate the scandalous nature of this moment. I love some drama and lust in my stories. (#feminism… or did I not use the hashtag right?)

I am angry! Why is that the only reference I get?! Where’s the respect?! Where’s the historical accuracy?! The Marquis de Lafayette only became friends with Alexander Hamilton after I met him in France and after I sent him over with MY name as his credibility to fight for the cause!

More to the point, how the Hell does one think that it is a good idea to make a Musical – or any dramatic story-telling for that matter – regarding the events surrounding the Revolutionary period without incorporating Benjamin Franklin?!

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN!!

I’m the single most entertaining and awesome civic organizer in the country… before it was even a country! Plus, I’m the first advertisement for America since I was the first American that the rest of the world met. Anecdotes about my conversations, antics, and adventures immediately make any story more hilarious… and informative. Not only am I the comic relief, I’m also the philosophical guardian of our foundational values and morals. Consider me that “wise old sage” – at the end of every classic story – who provides the protagonist in every Revolutionary story with some much-needed wisdom hidden beneath my witty stories.

If Washington is King Arthur, I’m Merlin… or Professor X to his Wolverine!

I’m kind of like Yoda.

I’m essentially GANDALF!!

I’m fucking DUMBLEDORE!!!

Did Lin-Manuel Miranda forget? I’m America’s Aristotle.

Remember:

“I’m the First American”

– Me

A Clarification for Lin-Manuel

Hey Lin,

Ben Franklin here. I really respect you and what you’ve done with your career arc. Making history with hip-hop? Genius! I know every line to every song. This attack is not directed to you. I am simply jealous you got your project out before me. Though to be fair… I was only resurrected a few years ago. (Remember that.)

The vast financial and cultural success of the Hamilton musical is positively impressive. It’s downright American! It brought history to a new level of entertainment. It’s the “IN” genre right now in entertainment. People have grown tired of vampires, zombies, werewolves, “Transformers”, etc. (though “superheroes” are still going strong…) More and more “time-period pieces” have become the source of TV story-lines… though there is still an appeal to incorporate zombies, vampires, etc. when possible (See: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter)

By incorporating the historical plotline with the rhythm and in-your-face lyricism of hip-hop, Miranda created the perfect medium for historical storytelling.

He has made it possible for me to roll out my tour, my mixtape, my album my blog….

… Annnnnd also my future book series and tv show (Cough::invest in me::Cough)

So I respect the move. This is a new way in which people can learn their history… since straight facts and political theories are boring. I’ll take that.

Therefore, I, Ben Franklin, thank you, Lin.

However, what I absolutely refuse to do is allow this INSULT to go un-touched! Now people have more of a fascination with Alexander Hamilton while totally ignoring The MAN, The MYTH, The LEGEND,  ME.

Cheers,

YBF

PS - By the way, Lin, let me know if you’d like to collaborate together. Please and thank you.