The main reason I don’t like to put out year-end “Best of…” lists before the end of the calendar year is that good music is being released all the time, even up until December 31st. Take, for example, DOOM Xmas, one of the best Christmas and hip-hop albums of the year featuring rhymes by perhaps the best MC of the modern age, MF DOOM, and slick beats by producer / beat maker Cookin’ Soul.
After an intro that samples , “Naughty or Nutz” samples Nat King Cole‘s “Christmas Song” as DOOM puts down rhymes that seem simple but are actually quite complex. “Why spend Christmas Eve with some extra fat white dude to come busting through the ceiling when you can spend it with your favorite super villain?” DOOM asks before “Let It Snowwwww” and challenges the MC’s to even try to match him (“I traded two beans for this cow, keep talkin’!”). Rhymes like “It’s fake like wrestling’, get ’em like Jake the Snake on mescaline.” will bust you up. Don’t dismiss Cookin’ Soul, however. His beats on “Smoke a lil Xmas Tree” sound basic at first, but they have more layers than the dip you’re going to serve at your upcoming Super Bowl party. Don’t believe me? Then, “MF Grinch” will make you a believer as Soul mixes up “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” It’s impossible not to shake your head and / or hips during it.
After challenging Santa Claus to a pot belly contest to the death, DOOM name checks Blacula and laments not being able to get mustard at a Chinese restaurant as Soul samples Paul McCartney‘s “Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time” on “Wonderfull.” DOOM handles Soul’s Latin beats on “Llego Navidad” with ease, and “XXXmas Ladies” has DOOM praising his current and former lady loves. He delivers a full story for each one in just a few verses. His efficiency is stunning. Most rappers couldn’t tell this many tales in one album side.
If you’re making a Christmas mix tape and need to fill the last minute or so on one side, “HO (Christmas skit)” would be a great choice for that with it’s instrumental yuletide jam. “The Holiday Agenda” is a great way to describe family drama or tasks that have to be completed during the holidays. DOOM sends a shout-out to De La Soul in the track and Soul’s beats are killer throughout it. The album ends with “Unhappy,” a remix of the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “Christmas Time Is Here” that emphasizes the Christmas blues. It’s fitting, as DOOM is a super villain after all.
This is the best original Christmas album I’ve heard since Gary Wilson‘s It’s Christmas Time with Gary Wilson, and the best hip hop record I’ve heard in months. The Days of Christmas last until January 06, 2019, so don’t think you need to waiting until Christmas 2019 to get this.
Keep your mind open.
[It’s still not too late to give the gift of a subscription.]
One on DOOM’s most sought after record. Although it’s not official, word on the street says the man himself approved the project!
It’s always on heavy rotation with me during the holiday season.