Music Video Review: "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)" by Lin-Manual Miranda is a Blistering Track

Hamilton sensation Lin-Manuel Miranda (known for his work on Disney’s Moana) has released a high-concept music video for “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done),” a blistering track from last year’s Hamilton Mixtape.

Directed by Tomas Whitmore and produced by Miranda, the striking visual takes place amidst a rattling train occupied by various groups of different nationalities. The moody atmosphere of the set carries a dystopian aesthetic, reminiscent of Bong Joon-ho’s feature length film Snowpiercer. It’s a technologically impressive clip, from the slick editing to the flickering lights that seem to synchronize with the song’s pummeling beat. It’s also full of heavily symbolic imagery, such as immigrants sowing American flags.

The song features spitfire rap verses about strife and sociopolitical turmoil from Somalia-born K’naan, Mexican-American Snow Tha Product, British-Pakistani Riz MC (also known as actor Riz Ahmed from Rouge One: A Star Wars Story and HBO’s The Night Of), and Puerto Rican Residente.

The video is a timely and well-crafted statement of solidarity, reminding everyone that immigrants make the world go ‘round.