20 essential hip-hop Christmas songs

In 1979, it's believed that Kurtis Blow released the first holiday rap song with "Christmas Rappin'." Using a sample of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," Kurtis details how people spend the holidays, and of course, he mentions stories about Santa Claus delivering gifts. As he says on the track, "'Bout a red-suited dude with a friendly attitude / And a sleigh full of goodies for the people on the block / Got a long white beard, maybe looks kinda weird / And if you ever see him, he can give you quite a shock." 

In 2007, Ludacris played an elf and DJ in the holiday comedy film Fred Claus. Since he appeared in the movie, it was only right that he added an original song "Ludacrismas" to the soundtrack. Using a sample of the classic tune "Here Comes Santa Claus," Ludacris details his holiday time and what he hopes Santa will bring him as a gift. As he says in the second verse, "And if Santa doesn’t show I want his cookies and his milk / Tell him I need a jacket, new Jordans and an XBox / New suits for church and a couple pairs of dress socks / Stuff my stocking with Jolly Ranchers and candy canes / Invite my aunties and uncles, let's do the family thing." 

In 1987, A&M Records released a holiday compilation album that featured several artists. One was the hip-hop trio Run-D.M.C. and their hit single "Christmas in Hollis." Produced by Rick Rubin, the track finds the group detailing the holidays in their hometown of Hollis, Queens. As they say in the second verse, "It's Christmastime in Hollis, Queens / Mom's cookin' chicken and collard greens / Rice and stuffing, macaroni and cheese / And Santa put gifts under Christmas trees." 

In 2016, DeJ Loaf teamed up alongside Kodak Black on their holiday track "All I Want For Christmas." On the track, they detail how the most important thing about the holidays is spending time with family and friends. DeJ starts the song by saying, "I say each year / Gets better than the last year / We going all out this year / I need everybody's sizes / Don't worry 'bout me / Got plenty of material things / Got my brothers, got my sisters, got my team / All I need is my family." 

Jim Jones' "Ballin on Xmas" was featured on the holiday compilation album A Dipset X-Mas. Using a sample of Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis," Jones details how he spends the holidays. It's evident in the second verse as he says, "They say Santa know you good or you bad / Gotta make an exception, we in the hood, living fast / The cash that we get, I admit it's kind of fast / But we gotta pay the rent." 

In 2019, Smino teamed up with Monte Booker and Masego on the smooth track "Sleigh." They take a different approach to holiday songs as they detail how much they want to spend the holidays with a lover. Smino takes lead on the hook saying, "It's getting cold, different h**s, keep 'em close / Looking for bae, for bae /  Santa Clause, do you got, Adderall and kush on your sleigh? / 'Cause we gon' be all day."

C-Murder and Master teamed up on their 1995 track "Christmas in Da Ghetto." On the track, they detail the unfortunate times of the holidays for people who live in the projects. As C-Murder says in his verse, "Livin' in a house with no food, no heat / It may be cold, but hell is the street / Cause the place I'm from, Santa don't leave gifts / In my house, Santa only shoplift." 

In the 2010s, Kanye West launched his GOOD Fridays series, in which he would release a free song every Friday. One of the songs was "Christmas in Harlem" which featured CyHi and Teyana Taylor. On the track, they detail the different ways to spend the holidays with friends and loved ones. As Taylor sings on the hook, "Christmas in Harlem / Right after autumn falls / Soakin’ it all in / Then we go hit the mall / Even though we ain’t ballin’ / Feel like we bought it all." 

While "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was made popular by artists like Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, and The Temptations, hip-hop fans always love DMX's version. In 2012, the rapper performed the track on the Power 105.1 radio station, and fans share the clip every year. Five years later, DMX finally released his official cover to DSPs. 

Rae Sremmurd member Swae Lee takes the lead on the track "Christmas at Swae's." On the track, he details how much he misses a lover during the holidays. As he says on the hook, "I didn't have you under my tree this Christmas/ But I had you all over my wish list / Oh oh oh, whoa / You're not under my mistletoe." 

In 1996, Death Row Records and Interscope Records released a holiday compilation album featuring several artists. One of which was Snoop Dogg who dropped the track "Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto." Titled after the James Brown 1968 track of the same name, Snoop uses the track to detail how he spends his holiday. As he says on the track, "Santa Claus on the ceiling, Jack Frost chillin' / Pinch the Grinch for being a holiday villain / Season's greetings, all the proceedings / Are brought to you by the church house where we'll be eatin.'" 

In 2017, Yo Gotti, Fabolous, and DJ Khaled teamed up on their holiday track "3 Kings." On the track, they detail everything from receiving gifts to seeing the joy on children's faces. As they say on the hook, "I'm wrapping gifts like it's Christmas / Every hood hoping Mr. Santa don't miss us." 

In 2021, IDK released his track "Coal," a song in which he depicts what Christmas was like for him growing up. He goes into detail on the hook saying, "It was a white Christmas, dark winter lights, / Heaven, hearts bitter / If you cannot fill the socks, we don't want no parts wit' ya / We don't want no coal, good deeds is the goal / 'Til the day's full of snow, melt away and we're grown."

In 2024, Saweetie released a two-pack EP Dear Big Santa, which featured her song "I Want You This Christmas." On the track, Saweetie pours her heart out to tell a lover how much she wants to spoil him. Her feelings are on full display as she says, "Better than any gifts / Is you wrapped up beside me with you here like this / Mm-mhm, underneath the tree / No holidays is lonely with you next to me." 

In 2019, Gucci Mane released his fourth holiday mixtape East Atlanta Santa 3. One of the standout tracks is "12 Days of Christmas" in which he details how much he despises the holiday. On the track, he tells stories about his self-proclamation as the Grinch, and getting into fights with people. 

If you're planning a holiday party, it makes the most sense to add Lil Jon's 2018 track "All I Really Want For Christmas" to the playlist. With Lil Jon's party production on full display, he uses the track to describe how hopes to get everything on his Christmas list. His feelings are evident as he says, "Having a party on Christmas Eve / And I got a whole lot of Christmas glee / Whole lotta gifts I’d like to receive / And you know all year I been planting them seeds." 

Hip-hop trio Run-D.M.C. details what the holidays mean for them on the 1992 track "Christmas Is." As they rap on the second verse, "A very merry Christmas for everybody / Fight poverty, give to the needy / Don't be like The Grinch 'cause The Grinch is greedy / Deck the malls with bows of holly / 'Tis the season to be jolly." 

In 2018, Tyler, The Creator released his version of "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," which was featured on the soundtrack to Dr. Seuss' The Grinch. Tyler took the song to another level thanks to the updated production and orchestral arrangement from Sean Phelan and Danny Elfman. 

In 2019, Lil Nas X released his single "Holiday." Although he doesn't use the song to describe the joyous occasions, he implements a few Christmas themes into the song, such as Santa Claus' catchphrase "ho, ho, ho." The music video features Lil Nas X portraying Santa in his workshop. 

In 2016, hip-hop duo Luniz released their holiday track "Deck the Halls." In the song, the duo details how they know they're probably on the naughty list, but they still deserve some Christmas gifts.