Between the Ruth Bader Ginsburg movies, action figures, books, and costumes, we’re officially dubbing 2018 as The Year of RBG. And with less than two months left in this (insane) year, tributes to the iconic Supreme Court Justice are rolling out full force.
The latest addition to the shrine? A Hamilton-inspired rap music video.
Jewish comedian Mia Weinberger’s new song “The Notorious RGB” sets the story of Ginsburg’s road to success to music — and it’s just as educational as it is entertaining.
“How does the master of law, five foot one Jewish mom, laughed at and banned from every law firm in Manhattan just because she’s not a man so she’s lacking a job and a mentor, grow up to be the nation’s great dissenter?” Weinberger, dressed as the justice, rhymes.
Why a rap video to honor Ginsburg? Weinberger, 28, tells us that, after seeing the RBG documentary, she was inspired for two reasons: First, the connection to rapper Notorious B.I.G., as she’s often referred to as the “Notorious R.B.G.,” and and because her legacy and fight against the patriarchal system felt like a true hip-hop story.
“She faced a ton of adversity for being a woman in law but hustled so hard and rose to the top of her field,” Weinberger says. “Plus, I’m a comedian, and like to make people laugh in these hard and uncertain times.”
Loving this Hamilton inspired RBG rap! Check it out. https://t.co/yNFp6FqkeW via @YouTube
— Julie Cohen (@FilmmakerJulie) October 31, 2018
Dressed in Ginsburg’s traditional bun (and scrunchie, of course!) and black silk robe, Weinberger raps about the icon’s fight for women’s rights while pulling out intense hip-hop moves on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall.
Some of the best lyrics were taken right from Ginsburg’s mouth: “I ask no favor for my sex, all I ask is that our brethren take their feet off our necks.” (Here, Weinberger is referring to Ginsburg’s win in a 1973 case that made it easier for female service members to claim a higher housing allowance.)
And some lyrics are just for fun, like the part when Weinberg sings “I love it when you call me grandmama, throw your hands in the air if you’re a nay-sayer,” Weinberger sang to the tune of Biggie Smalls’ “Juicy.”
At the end of the video, Weinberger’s RBG nods off, but quickly wakes herself up to conclude with: “I may not stay awake but I stay motherfucking woke!”
In trying times like these, this video is exactly what we need right now.
