President and Mrs. Obama welcomed the cast of Hamilton to the White House yesterday, not just for a performance but also for a workshop for area high school students. From Obama's introduction (transcript via Vox):
And in this telling, rap is the language of revolution. Hip-hop is the backbeat. In each brilliantly crafted song, we hear the debates that shaped our nation, and we hear the debates that are still shaping our nation. We feel the fierce, youthful energy that animated the men and women of Hamilton’s generation. And with a cast as diverse as America itself, including the outstandingly talented women -- (applause) -- the show reminds us that this nation was built by more than just a few great men -- and that it is an inheritance that belongs to all of us.
And that’s why Michelle and I wanted to bring this performance to the White House. Because Hamilton is not just for people who can score a ticket to a pricey Broadway show. It is a story for all of us, and about all of us.
And here's the cast performing "My Shot". Whether the founding fathers are snapping their fingers or rolling in their graves, the walls of the White House were jubilant yesterday.