The Best Hip Hop Christmas Songs Ever
By Maurice Garland • Dec 22nd, 2008 • Category: Audio, Music, Uncategorized, Videos 681 views
Grab the Egg Nog and Henny…
Keep in mind these are in no particular order so don’t trip, we know how ya’ll get about this kind of stuff.
Kurtis Blow-”Christmas Rappin’”-1980
We already know, most you looking at this have probably never heard this song before in your life because you probably weren’t even born when this came out. But this is the first Hip Hop Christmas song ever recorded, so this gets props off GP. Beat sounds familiar doesn’t it?
Run-DMC “Christmas In Hollis”-1987
This is probably the most recognized Hip Hop Christmas song, and for good reason. When DMC said: “It’s Christmas time in Hollis Queens, Mom’s cooking chicken and collard greens/Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese, and Santa put gifts under Christmas trees” he described Christmas in the ‘hood to the fullest. Even though Run’s rhyme about finding Santa Clause’s wallet with a million dollars inside is pure fantasy in this recession, its still dope that he got the money right back for Christmas. I’ll take money over a shirt that don’t fit any day.
Tha Dogg Pound feat. Bad Azz “Santa Clause Comes Straight To The Ghetto”-1996
So what they completely jacked
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for the idea, it still jams. But, this probably isn’t the best song to play for the kiddies though. Bad Azz’ verse will reveal there’s no such thing as Santa and Snoop talks about getting weed and Henny for Christmas. BONUS CHRISTMAS CUT: Tha Dogg Pound “I Wish”
Eazy-E “Merry Muthaphukkin Christmas”-1992
Once again, not for the kiddies. This song should really be called “Merry Muthaphukkin XXX-Mas.” We’re not sure whats funnier, Santa telling the Ho, Ho, Ho’s to sit on his face instead of his lap or Eazy getting a lot more than just a kiss under the mistle toe. But, the most interesting part of the song comes at the 2:33 mark when you get to hear a young Will.I.Am (yes, Black Eyed Peas used to be signed to Ruthless Records) go on a rant about how Santa Clause “is a fucking lie.”
Killer Mike & Grind Time “A Christmas Grind”-2003
This song is an accurate portrayal of how the streets are feeling about Christmas this year. Be careful out there folks, the robbing crew is out in full effect. “HOOD STILL THE SAME, NOTHING CHANGES ON CHRISTMAS!!!”
TLC “Sleigh Ride”-1993
Uh yes, TLC is Hip Hop. Outside of Left Eye (R.I.P), are they a “rap” group? No. Are they Hip Hop though? Hell yes. That said “Sleigh Ride” is an all time favorite based largely off the fact that around the time it came out, alot of folks was acting like they was too good to make jamming ass Christmas songs anymore, at least in this generation. So hearing some holiday cheer with some boom bap behind it was very refreshing.
Quad City DJ’s & 69 Boyz “What You Want For Christmas”-1996
“Five fresh gold chaaaayaaaaiiiins!” It really gets no better than this. Christmas in the ‘hood never sounded so fun (or ghetto). But this is a classic, it deserves to get played right alongside The Temptations and some Nat King Cole. If you’re Christmas party is dead, this song is an instant party starter. “…and a Cadillac to put it all iiiin.”
BONUS CHRISTMAS CUT: Quad City DJ’s “Whatca Want For Christmas (remix)”*
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*Even though this song was on the same album, it gets slept on. It’s actually my personal favorite.
Outkast “Player’s Ball”-1993
Most of you Outkast stans probably already knew this, but for those of you that don’t “Player’s Ball” is actually a Christmas song. The story goes that when ‘Kast was out trying to get a deal, L.A. Reid threw them a bone, but recording a song for the LaFace Christmas compilation was their first test. They came up with “Player’s Ball” and the rest is history. If you listen close you can hear sleigh bells through the whole song. Now that you know this bit of information, lines like “you thought i’d break my neck, to help y’all deck, the halls oh
naw” and “ain’t no chimminies in the ghetto so i won’t be hangin my socks on no
chimney” will make a lot more sense.
Did we leave anything (good) off the list? Dipset Christmas was omitted on purpose and that “Santa Baby” song is just, aiiiight.
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[...] unknown wrote an interesting post today onOzone Magazine » Blog Archive » The Best Hip Hop Christmas Songs EverHere’s a quick excerptWe already know, most you looking at this have probably never heard this song before in your life because you probably weren’t even born when this came out. But this is the first Hip Hop Christmas song ever recorded, so this gets props … [...]
[...] — and some not so, like Eazy-E’s “Merry Muthaphukkin Christmas” — on Ozone magazine’s list. Bookmark [...]
[...] has played over the nearly 30 year history of the genre, it is encapsulated in the surprisingly wide variety of hip hop Christmas songs that have appeared throughout the [...]
Great to see the love being spread on here! Hip-hop for life!
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