Star Wars Day may not have the same widespread appeal as Thanksgiving or Halloween, but it’s a holiday no less. Just look at all the recognition May the Fourth has gotten this year, from T-Mobile using the day to knock rival AT&T to ANA releasing a unique cover of the film’s theme song. Perhaps the most exciting tribute of all, however, came courtesy of The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams and Hamilton creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda.
As diehard fans surely know, the duo collaborated on Jabba Flow, the cantina song that appears in Episode VII. Therefore, it was fitting that the pair teamed up today to perform that composition live in New York City, surprising a crowd of lucky spectators. The appearance was part of the Hamilton Ham4Ham show, which is for people hoping to get tickets to the musical.
Fans were excited enough when Miranda came out for the show, but they went even crazier when he announced that Abrams would be “making his Broadway singing debut.” The director joined Miranda on the steps, and then revealed how they first met. Coincidentally, when Abrams met Miranda at Hamilton about a year ago, the composer had joked about helping write the cantina song — only to end up actually doing it.
Miranda gave some background on the song as well, explaining that the lyrics are in “Huttese.” Apparently, he went to an online glossary and ended up writing lyrics like, “No, lover lover, it wasn’t me.”
“It’s literally a Shaggy intergalactic remix,” said Miranda.
After taking viewers on that walk down memory lane, the duo launched into Jabba Flow and probably inspired the hopes of millions for a hip hop Star Wars musical. Abrams also let everyone know that the song is now available to the public and can be found at StarWars.com. Happy listening and May the Fourth be with you.
