My favorite (non-movie) pop culture of 2016!

1.) Hamilton

I first listened to the soundtrack for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acclaimed musical in January. Since then, I’ve played it at least once a week. It’s all I listen to when I write. I’ve studied the annotated lyrics in “Hamilton: The Revolution.” I watched the PBS documentary. I’ve listened to “The Hamilton Mixtape.” I’m planning on reading Ron Chernow’s biography of the founding father over the holiday break. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this obsessed with a work of art. I would put “Hamilton” above any narrative experience I’ve had this year, including the best movies. And, like most people, I still haven’t seen it on stage.

“Hamilton” is one of the most densely layered, brilliant works of art I’ve encountered. Even on my first, casual listen, I was swept up in how enjoyable Miranda’s mixture of hip-hop, jazz, R&B and showtunes was. On subsequent listens, I came to appreciate the sprawling, epic narrative. The way Miranda draws drama and laughs from politics, history and family tragedy. The way he packs so much information into the lyrics that hip-hop is the only way you could tell the story in one night. The themes and motifs that repeat at just the right moment to drive a sledgehammer into your heart. Reading the annotated lyrics has only taken me deeper down the rabbit hole as I’ve seen how deftly Miranda plants Easter eggs that pay homage to everything from the history of America to the founding fathers of rap. It’s such a perfect, involving experience that I almost can’t imagine what will be waiting for me when I eventually get to see it on stage (probably still a long way off). It’s at once an energetic, moving character piece; a thrilling experiment that brings history to vivid life; a celebration of diversity and America’s best ideals; and a call to inspiration and service for a generation entering troubled times. And it’s all the work of collaborators who are the best in the game, the brainchild of a man who is both a true genius and one of the most enjoyable geeks to follow on Twitter.

I need to stop writing about “Hamilton.” My wife has asked me to stop talking about “Hamilton.” But as I finish this list, I think I might need to put the soundtrack on.

The Hamilton soundtrack is available for purchase and streaming on a variety of platforms. Tickets for Hamilton are available for the price of your firstborn.