The Redprint project began back in 2010, when Hamilton was still just a seedling in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creative mind. In the interim 7 years, he and I both wrote approximately the same number of raps about two different political eras in two different countries, featuring two very different leading men. But perhaps the biggest difference is that his authorship turned into a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album and a Tony-winning Broadway hit, while mine turned into well this relatively obscure rap/funk album. However, my hope is that fans of The Redprint, in appreciating the issues presented, the lyrical flow and the creative effort, will take the $1,000 they would have spent on the Broadway ticket for the yet-to-be produced musical Jinping and donate it (or more, or less…whatever you can manage) to a charity of choice. I have featured two charities below which I personally support, because of their wonderful work in using music and the arts to heal hearts and bring people together across cultural divides. Please look them up and consider them for a donation. But mostly, please be generous in your charitable endeavors, whatever, wherever and for whomever they may be. Let’s team up to make the world a better place!

Speaking of making the world a better place, the US-China relationship is the world’s most important geopolitical bilateral dynamic and will be for some time. In my music, I present a view on a whole host of China related issues, biased obviously by my own perspectives, but presented, hopefully, in a balanced way that reflects the broader narratives and dynamics of the day, from a diversity of perspectives (foreign and Chinese). To be clear and candid, this album is not a criticism of China, and it is also not an apologist’s effort to praise China. It is intended to be a fun and entertaining, but honest assessment of the issues Chinese policymakers, Chinese citizens, China watchers and China’s counterparts are evaluating and trying to work through on a daily basis. The issues are complicated, and can often provoke impassioned discord, so presenting them in a lighthearted way might, I hope, help keep the dialogue constructive and positive. To that end, my hope is that this album will spur greater passion for studying China and Mandarin Chinese in the US and other countries, and that both sides of the US-China relationship will be able to maintain a healthy level of humanity, personality, mutual respect and optimism in the geopolitical relationship that will dictate the most substantial global outcomes of the 21st century. May both sides spend more time humbly appreciating each others’ strengths while peacefully resolving their differences…