We know everyone will be listening to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas, ” but think about adding some Hip-Hop hits to your holiday playlist?
Suggested Reading
Whether it’s Snoop Dogg or Tyler, the Creator, there’s been plenty of MCs across the five decades of rap who have created some quality songs that are full of Christmas spirit.
Here are some of the best.
RUN-DMC - “Christmas in Hollis”
We gotta recognize the OGs in the game first. RUN-DMC gave hip-hop one of its first great bangers. “Christmas in Hollis” is an ode to the holiday season and the group’s hometown of Queens.
Outkast - “Players’s Ball (Christmas Mix)”
The original version of this Outkast song is already a classic, but I love that the legendary Atlanta group added some holiday flair to this 1994 single.
Kurtis Blow - “Christmas Rappin”
Yes, even before RUN-DMC was rapping about “Christmas in Hollis,” Kurtis Blow put out an 8-minute track full of holiday heat. Just listen to the song, he’s rapping his ass for the entire record. You gotta respect it.
Kanye West - “Christmas in Harlem”
Ignoring his ridiculous behavior, Kanye West has a holiday banger of his own. Released during the leadup to his fifth studio album, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” the Chicago rapper would put out a free new song every Friday (GOOD Fridays) to preview music he’d been working on. The last of those songs was “Christmas in Harlem,” a 6-minute posse track that included contributions from Jim Jones, Cam’ron, Teyana Taylor, Musiq Souldchild, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, and Big Sean.
Concrete Boys - Mo Jams
I might be cheating here, but the music video is reason enough to put this track on the list. Lil Yachty and the Concrete Boys gifted us a gem this holiday season. Each member comes with their best verses over a beautiful sample of Midnight Star’s “Slow Jam.”
Snoop Dogg - “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto”
Serving as the lead single for Death Row Records compilation album, “Christmas on Death Row,” this track brings the holiday season to the West Coast.
Run the Jewels - “A Christmas F***ing Miracle”
I gotta be honest, the only thing about this song that gives it that holiday feel is the title and the music video, other than that, it’s just a dope ass hip-hop song.
Lil Nas X - “Holiday”
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Ghostface Killah - Ghostface X-Mas
Hear that sample? Ghostface can rap over any and everything, but the Wu-Tang legend spittin’ over “Carol of Bells” gives the song that perfect touch of Christmas.
Tyler, the Creator - “Big Bag”
Tyler, the Creator has an EP full of Christmas songs that he made for the animated Grinch film, this one just happened to be my favorite.
Eazy- E - “Merry Muthaf***in’ X-Mas”
I wouldn’t recommend playing this track at the Holiday party (depending on where’s the party) but it had to be on the list. Christmas and gangsta rap together is always a fun time.
DMX - “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”
This might be the most wholesome song DMX ever created. His rendition of the classic Christmas song is gold and his gruff delivery makes the track only better.
Ludacris - “Ludacrismas”
Even if this wasn’t a Christmas song list I’d still recommend that you listen to it, it’s really good! But I gotta be honest, Ludacris rapping over a Doris Day sample is something I’d never thought I’d hear, but I’m glad I did.
Gucci Mane - “St. Brick Intro”
“Trapping through the snow!” Welcome to Christmas with Big Guwop. Maybe not the best message for your kids to hear, but it’s still a fun track if you have plans of turning up this holiday season.
De La Soul - “Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa”
In all seriousness, there is nothing jolly or happy about this song. From the group’s sophomore studio album, “De La Soul is Dead,” this track tells the sad story of a girl who is sexually assaulted and scared to tell her story. Each member contributes to telling the bleak story of Millie.
RUN-DMC & The Christmas All Stars - “Santa Baby”
Nearly 10 years after the release of “Christmas in Hollis,” RUN-DMC felt like putting some Christmas cheer in their music again. This time, they decided to remix Eartha Kitt’s 1953 classic.
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