What Lin-Manuel Miranda, Solange Knowles and Elon Musk Have in Common
The essential question that every creative should ask themselves
In 2009 Lin-Manuel Miranda received a request to perform at the first-ever White House Poetry Jam. “Do you have anything about America, and can you perform it at this podium?” Miranda was asked.
In true kismet fashion, the composer happened to be working on his next Broadway musical. Yet, when Miranda revealed to the webcast audience and East Room attendees that he’d be performing the opening number about the person he believed embodies hip hop: Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton — the audience laughed.
Lin-Manuel Miranda — already a celebrated and respected artist for his work creating In the Heights — would spend another six years writing the rest of Hamilton. He encountered his fair share of skeptics throughout his journey, including his mentor and famed lyricist, Stephen Sondheim (who later became an ardent fan).
Yet, Miranda was able to keep going (bringing along an ever-growing camp of Hamilton enthusiasts). I believe that’s because he had answered for himself the essential question for any creative undertaking.
