Busybee's Playlist

A plethora of songs has been on repeat this year. In addition to the timeless classics, a lot of new releases graced my eardrums, and here are my favourites:

I absolutely adore musicals. My favourites vary from Sweeney Todd, to Mamma Mia!, The Phantom of the Opera, CHICAGO, Grease, The Lion King, Notre Dame de Paris … And recently, Lin Manuel Miranda’s In The Heights has won my heart.

Most people might recognize a specific song from this musical, as everyone’s feed was filled with a musical back-and-forth between two characters and became subject to a TikTok trend.

I wasn’t lucky enough to watch the Broadway rendition of this masterpiece, upon which the 2021 film is based. However, the movie is truly a beautiful piece of art.

The story follows the colourful characters of New York City’s Washington Heights as they struggle to find and pursue their sueñitos (little dreams in Spanish). Original screenplay is by Quiara Alegría Hudes co-written with Lin-Manuel Miranda.

• Quiara Alegría Hudes is an American playwright, producer, lyricist and essayist, whose most popular works are, Elliot, A Soldier’s Fugue (2007, Pulitzer Prize finalist); In the Heights (2008; Tony-Award + Pulitzer Prize winner); Water by the Spoonful (2012; Pulitzer Prize winner).
• Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American actor, songwriter, singer, playwright, producer, and film director. Predominantly known for In The Heights and Hamilton, as well as his songwriting for the critically-acclaimed Disney movies, Moana (2016) and Encanto (2021.)

The soundtrack is outstanding. Not a single song can be skipped, for fear of missing out on the story-telling the lyrics perfectly lay down to the listeners, fully complimented by the Latin-flare of the music.

The movie stars Anthony Ramos as Usnavi de la Vega, Corey Hawkins as Benny, Leslie Grace as Nina Rosario in her very first film debut, Melissa Barrera as Vanessa, Olga Merediz as Abuela Claudia, Daphne Rubin-Vega as one of the salon ladies, Daniella, Gregory Diaz IV, as Sonny and Jimmy Smits as Kevin Rosario.

No distinctive plot is truly told, but you are nonetheless captivated by each characters’ story, and their dream for a better life. As Washington Heights’ barrio (neighbourhood) is going through gentrification, most of the history and culture is slowly dying. Not to mention, issues of racism and class struggle are also raised in this colourful, fun, albeit important musical.

On a personal level, I drew parallels with my own situation as a Lebanese immigrant. I found myself misty on several accounts when songs like Carnaval del Barrio were sung, where flags from various Latin-American countries were raised to express in pride in their roots. Or even in Leslie Jones’ beautiful ballad, Breathe when she comes home to the Heights from Stanford, where she feels alienated. Or the musical masterpiece that is 96,000 where most the barrio‘s resident share how they would pursue their dreams if they won the lottery’s big price.

This musical is a love letter to anyone who had to leave their home country for a sueñito of a better life, regardless of where they’re from. To anyone who has ever felt alienated in a country where they weren’t born. To anyone who struggles to reconcile their need for freedom with their roots. To anyone who has ever experienced adversity, and strives to overcome it.