Compiling a festive Hip Hop Christmas Mixtape with some of the best Christmas themed tracks ever.
Check out the Holiday Mixtape Spotify Playlist below.
"Christmas Rappin" - Kurtis Blow
This adventure has to begin, way back, to 1979 with the first Hip Hop themed track by Kurtis Blow, "Christmas Rappin." This song would be not only huge for Kurtis Blow, but for Hip Hop itself. The year this came out it would get plays all the way through to the spring of 1980.
"Rappin Christmas" - Cold Crew
The next track to drop about Christmas would come from the Cold Crew in 1982. This song is a perfect example of the climate at the time and what would soon be referred to as Reganomics.
"Santa Rap" - The Treacherous Three
This track was included on the Beat Street Soundtrack in 1984. The song tells the story how Christmas is experienced for so many at the time. Kool Moe Dee Takes on the role of Santa while Special K and L.A. Sunshine take on the role of unhappy kids as they describe Christmas in their neighborhood in the 80's.
"Let The Jingle Bells Rock" - Sweet Tee
This track would be released on what I believe to be the first hip hop themed Christmas album in 1987. This song would be a nice change from a few of the previous tracks, taking a more light hearted approach to Christmas with snuggling, candy canes and some wholesome Christmas fun.
"Christmas in Hollis" - RUN DMC
This would be my introduction to Holiday hip hop and often considered the greatest Hip Hop Christmas track. The track was created for a charity album. This track would be featured in one of my all time favorite Christmas movies "Die Hard."
"Cold Chillin Christmas" - Juice Crew
This track would follow up "Christmas in Hollis," and would be included on Winter in Warnerland Compilation Album. The Track includes the stylings of Big Daddy Kane, Roxanne Shante, MC Shan and manager Fly Ty.
"Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa" - De La Soul
This late track off of De La Soul's 1991, "De La Soul Is Dead" isn't the most festive Christmas track, but a must have for the theme and story. The track tells the story of Millie, who is molested by her father, a respected man of the community. No one believes her, and the track ends with her shooting him publicly as he plays the local mall Santa.
Merry Muthaph***in XMas - Eazy E feat. The Wascals, Menajahtwa & The Atban Klann
With the 90's Hip Hop takes a pretty clear turn and Eazy E's "Merry Muthaph***in XMas" would be a perfect example of that, released in 1992. Eazy E delivers here but for me its the features that steal the show. Here is another example of what I feel Eazy does best, makes sure the right people are in the room, including various Ruthless Records emcees. This track brings some West Coast groups together, Menajahtwa that consisted of female emcees Spice and Royal T. The Wascals would be labeled the baby Pharcyde and Buckwheat here shows why they would get that title. The Atban Klann holds a special part in West Coast Hip Hop for me consisting of Will 1X and apl.de.ap. These two emcees would eventually become The Black Eyed Peas. This is a must have to Hip Hop Christmas playlists, but shows off the dirtier side of Christmas.
Now that the groundwork for Hip Hop Christmas had been laid, Now it is time to add in some of my favorites:
Christmas in Da Ghetto - Master P & C Murder
This track would be included on the 1994 Hi Fo Xmas compilation album by the West Coast Bad Boyz.
Players Ball (Christmas Version) - Outkast
The first song of Outkast that would gain attention, would eventually be changed, but the original is a must have for all Hip Hop Christmas playlists. This track would be included on the SouthernCaddilacPlayalistiCadillacMuzik in 1994.
"Santa Baby" - Rev Run and the Christmas All Stars.
This track would be featured on the 1997 A Very Special Christmas Vol. 3. This track would not disappoint by saying All Stars; the track would include Salt N Pepa, Snoop Dogg, Mase, Puff Daddy, Onyx, Keith Murray and writing from the Fugees.
Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto - Snoop Dogg
This track would include a variety of Dogg Pound members and would be included on the Christmas on Death Row Album. The Track consists of Daz Dillinger, Snoop, Nate Dogg, Bad Azz and Tray Dee.
Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer - DMX
This is just a short video from DMX at an interview but has become a Hip Hop Christmas gem for those that know. A great add to the playlist for sure...WHAT!!!
The Christmas Song - David Banner feat. Marcus - MTA2: Baptized in Dirty Water, 2003
Jungle Bellz - Juelz Santana w/Starr - A Tribute to Bad Santa, 2008
A Christmas Fucking Miracle - Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels, 2013
Lights On - Tyler The Creator - Music Inspired by The Grinch Soundtrack, 2018
Ludacrismas - Ludacris - Fred Claus Soundtrack,
Ghostface X Mas - Ghostface - Ghostdeini The Great, 2008
Christmas in the Hood - Daz Dillinger - Christmas in Tha Dogghouse, 2008
Hi Fo Christmas - Master P, Silk tha Shocker, San Quinn and JT Tha Bigga Figga - Hi Fo Christmas, 1994
Nappy Holidays - Nappy Roots - An Average Joes Muddy Christmas, 2012
Santa's Got A Muthaf--kin Uzi - Mr. Lif - Mo B Sides, 2006
Christmas in The Ghetto - Jim Jones - A Tribute to Bad Santa, 2008
3 Kings - Yo Gotti, Fabolous, DJ Khaled - A Very ROC Christmas, 2017
Christmas in Harlem - Kanye West w/ Teyana Taylor, Musiq Soulchild, Cyhi The Prince - 2010
12 Days of Christmas - Gucci Mane - East Atlanta Santa 3, 2019
All I want for Christmas - Dej Loaf w/ Kodak Black - 2016
Aint No Santa - Eric Bellinger w/ Problem - Your Favorite Christmas Songs Mixtape, 2013
Its The Holidaze - Westside Connection - Friday After Next Soundtrack, 2002
Christmas N Memphis - Indo G - 2003 Christmas Album
Badd Santa - Peanut Butter Wolf - 2008 Album
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