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What important things did Lin-Manuel Miranda do?
A Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, Tony Award-winning composer, lyricist, and actor, Lin-Manuel is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Hamilton and In the Heights, and the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award and 2018 Kennedy Center Honors.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is an award-winning, multitalented artist who has made a name for himself both in theatre and in the music industry. His works span a variety of genres and have made an indelible mark on popular culture. From his breakthrough musical Hamilton to his Oscar-nominated songs in Disney’s Moana, here are ten fascinating facts about the man behind the music.
1. He grew up in New York City
Lin-Manuel Miranda was born in New York City in 1980. He was exposed to a wide range of cultures and exposed to a vast amount of music, theatre and literature at a young age. This would prove to be the influential bedrock on which he would build his career.
2. He rose to prominence with ‘In the Heights’
In 2008, Miranda wrote and starred in a musical titled In the Heights, which focused on a Latinx community in New York City. The musical was a huge success and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Original Score for Miranda.
3. He was inspired by ‘The Hamilton Mixtape’
The Broadway sensation Hamilton was inspired by a 2004 mix-tape released by The Roots. The mix-tape, titled “The Hamilton Mixtape,” featured well-known artists such as Kool G Rap, Erykah Badu, Will.i.am, Dead Prez and Beanie Sigel.
4. He was the youngest person to receive the ESB Award
In 2015, Miranda was honored with a prestigious Kennedy Center Honors award for his body of work. He was the youngest person to ever receive the honor. The award was presented by former President Barack Obama, who praised Miranda for his commitment to “storytelling that speaks to each of us.”
5. His musical ‘Hamilton’ was a massive success
In 2016, Miranda’s musical Hamilton premiered on Broadway. The musical, which tells the story of America’s founding father Alexander Hamilton, was an instant hit and went on to become one of the most successful musicals in Broadway history. The show has won multiple awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and eleven Tony Awards.
6. He is active in philanthropy
In addition to his successful career, Miranda is also active in philanthropy. He is a board member of the Hispanic Federation and Fund for Public Schools, and regularly supports local charities in New York City. In 2016, he and his wife Vanessa Nadal founded the Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Coalition, which provides legal and educational assistance to immigrants and their families.
7. He has written music for popular films
In 2016, Miranda composed music for the Disney film Moana. He wrote several songs for the film and co-wrote the hit song “How Far I’ll Go” with Mark Mancina. The song was nominated for an Oscar, which Miranda attended alongside his wife, Vanessa Nadal.
8. He started the ‘Hamildrops’ project
In 2018 Miranda launched a project called “Hamildrops” in which he releases new versions and covers of songs from Hamilton. The project has included collaborations with artists such as John Legend, Regina Spektor, Ben Folds and Kelly Clarkson. So far three EPs have been released, with collaborations from Will Smith, The Decemberists, and Ben Platt.
9. He has written and produced for the ‘We Are Freestyle Love Supreme’
In 2019, Miranda wrote and produced the musical show We Are Freestyle Love Supreme, which follows an improv group formed at the University of Virginia in the ‘90s. The show was a critical success and earned nominations for six Tony Awards, eventually winning the award for Best Musical.
10. He is an award-winning artist
Miranda has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kennedy Center Honors, an Emmy, a Pulitzer Prize, Tonys, an Oscar nomination, and a Grammy. His impact on the music and theatre industry has been far-reaching, and he continues to inspire aspiring artists around the world.
Conclusion
Lin-Manuel Miranda is nothing short of a phenomenon. His body of work has earned him international acclaim, and his award results speak for themselves. His Broadway debut turned him into a legend, and the impact he continues to make will long outlast his time.
