Rappers have been celebrating Christmas in style since the 1970s and have released many of the most iconic holiday songs to date. Rappers’ and DJs’ houses attract regular visitors to watch their seasonal light displays, while the Kardashians are known for hosting a lavish annual Christmas Eve party that truly puts everyone in the festive mood.  How can you host a hip-hop Christmas? Buying gifts such as iced out jewellery, decking the halls with diamond lights and filling a playlist with rap and R&B artists including Snoop Dogg, Kanye West and OutKast. That’s just a handful of artists who’ve provided us with hip-hop holiday bangers to enjoy each Christmas.  In this blog post, Hatton Jewellers shares how you can host the ultimate hip-hop Christmas, from glamorous gifts to themed decorations, as well as discovering how to party like Kanye West. 

Add Extra Bling with These Hip-Hop Christmas Decorations

If you’re looking to host a hip-hop Christmas you’re bound to want to add extra bling when it comes to your decorations. Drip in diamonds, coat everything in gold or go over the top with R&B and hip-hop celebrities’ merch. It's possible to host a Christmas that even the top hip-hop artists would envy.  Add an extra hip-hop touch to your home by synchronising your Christmas lights to the best R&B tunes. A former DJ from Houston has his Christmas lights synced up to hip-hop songs in a very elaborate holiday display, with light-up trees that even rap along to Snoop Dogg and WAP by Cardi B. Attracting countless visitors every year, it has now become an annual show. Try adding some hip-hop flare to your home with a full-on festive lighting performance.  Why not deck the halls with baubles featuring Cardi B, breakdancing retro hip-hop Santa ornaments or even take your hip-hop festivities to the next level with some Kayne West Christmas cards - your friends will love them!  Why not create a whole iced-out look? Drip lights around your house, over the tree, even covering the whole exterior of your home. Shimmer with white diamond lights and shine as bright as a diamond ring this Christmas. Place breathtaking jewellery under the tree and treat your loved ones to a hip-hop-inspired Christmas they’ll never forget. 

Create a Christmas Rap Playlist to Get The Party Started

From Kanye giving the gift of Christmas cheer and Snoop Dogg doing a different kind of Christmas rapping, there are some festive hip-hop Christmas songs you need on your party playlists.  Usually associated with bling and not goodwill and giving, the best Christmas hip-hop and R&B songs are the gifts that keep on giving. From Christmas in Harlem to Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto - these classics will keep you full of Christmas cheer as you deck the halls. 
  • OutKast - Player’s Ball (Christmas Version)

Before OutKast were as well known as they are today, they stole the show on LaFace Records’ winter compilation with the song Player’s Ball. A song only about Christmas if you listen really closely, with references to sleigh bells and the holidays throughout the track, it still stands as one of the greatest hip-hop Christmas songs of all time. 
  • Snoop Dogg - Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto 

A Christmas hip-hop song where flying cadillacs become a thing is part of Snoop’s imaginative festive world, as he spreads festive cheer with Daz Dillinger, Nate Dogg, Tray Deee and Bad Azz. Using a sample of Do Your Thing, Snoop Dogg and the late Nate Dogg created a West Coast-flavoured Christmas song, giving us our first white Christmas Long Beach tune. 
  • Tyler, The Creator - You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch

Released in 2019 and produced for the original motion picture soundtrack The Grinch, this Christmas song is unlike anything the rapper’s produced before. As he sings alongside a sparse choir of children, Tyler, The Creator is surprisingly kid-friendly and hypnotic - You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch is one to add cheer to your festive events!  

Photo Credit: https://www.billboard.com/

  • Kanye West - Christmas in Harlem 

Christmas in Harlem is a joyful, festive song from the beginning of the decade. Featuring Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, Pusha T, Big Sean and Cam'ron, the song will transport you to another part of the world whilst bringing a whole new meaning to having a white Christmas. 
  • Kurtis Blow - Christmas Rappin’ 

One of the best Christmas hip-hop and R&B songs of all time! Christmas Rappin’ does exactly what the title promises. With funky beats, it brings the world a Saint Nick who “forgot his cares and rocked the spot and danced like a pro” before leaving the block for the Pole. This Christmas song needs adding to your festive soundtracks straight away. 
  • Macklemore - It’s Christmas Time 

The Home Alone-inspired Christmas song, It’s Christmas Time was released in 2019 and runs through a list of holiday season nostalgia. "Listenin' to Bing Crosby by the fire/ Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mariah/ Turn off that Michael Bublé/ Turn on that one movie about the kid who licked the telephone pole on the Blu-ray," The song highlights the true purpose and meaning of Christmas - to give and to celebrate! It's a newer R&B Christmas tune and one that certainly deserves a spot on your playlist this year. 

Photo Credit: https://www.imdb.com/

  • Yo Gotti, Fabolous and DJ Khaled - 3 Kings

3 Kings is one of nine songs on A Very ROC Christmas, which features artists such as DNCE, DJ Mustard, Justine Skye, Ella Mai and more. Dressed as Santa, delivering witty, fun-filled metaphors and holiday references about Roc Nation being the best, this Christmas rap song is bound to spread Christmas cheer. 
  • Run-DMC - Christmas in Hollis

In 1987, Run-DMC were tasked with recording a Christmas song for charity. Instead of creating a classic carol, they produced Christmas in Hollis, a meditation on life in Hollis, Queens over a signature 90s hip-hop beat.  With DMC ‘’Chilling and coolin’ just like snowman’’ and Run receiving a windfall from Santa, it's a Christmas song that needs to be on your festive party playlist. 
  • Eazy E - Merry Muthaf**kin’ Xmas

The most ruthless Christmas song of all time! Eazy E tried his hardest to offend all sensitivities on this anti-Christmas tune and he certainly succeeded. If you listen to the lyrics closely you’ll properly never think about mistletoe, sleigh rides and plenty of festive-related things in the same way again! 
  • Ludacris - Ludacrismas 

Ludacris created Ludacrismas as the soundtrack for the movie Fred Claus in 2007. With thumping beats and a very different kind of festive cheer, he raps off a wishlist asking Santa to “bring a ten million dollar check/So I could spread a little cheer/Fly a couple Lears/Eat a little chicken, drink a couple beers/Kick back and just chill like a player would do." 

Photo Credit: https://hellogiggles.com/

Snuggle Up and Watch a Hip-Hop Christmas Film 

There’s no better way to get excited for the festive season than curling up on the couch with a good ol’ Christmas movie. As well as bringing us some much-needed festive cheer, they are filled with nostalgia and familiarity: they remind us of good times spent growing up, making us feel all warm and fuzzy on a cold snowy night.  With festive films comes joy and laughter, from classics such as Elf and The Grinch highlighting traditions we all know and love, to alternative hip-hop films, such as Friday After Next that highlight how Christmas can take a wrong turn but still be filled with humour. Pop on a hip-hop film and have the whole family laughing around the fireplace this festive period! 

Friday After Next (2002)  

A hip-hop Christmas film the whole family will love. Filled with joy, humour and lots of Christmas fears, Friday After Next is a film to put on while snuggled up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate. As hilarious situations unfold after cousins Craig and Day-Day lose their gifts and rent money on Xmas eve, they decide to work at a shopping mall to earn money and clear their debts - what could go wrong? Robbed by Santa and a not-so-jolly elf, it's a great festive film that will have the whole family crying with laughter. 

Photo Credit: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/

Hip-Hop Holiday (2019) 

Another great film to put on when hosting a hip-hop Christmas this year is Hip-Hop Holiday. A film where a larger-than-life diva, Leesa J, rekindles an old friendship over Christmas and takes a walk down memory lane that forces her to re-examine her life, her habits and the real reason for the dislike for the holiday she once loved so dearly. The film will fill you with festive joy and laughter as you gather the family together for an amazing hip-hop Christmas Film.  

Photo Credit: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/

Celebrate Christmas Like These Hip-Hop Celebs 

Have a Kardashian Khristmas! Every year the Kardashians host a celebrity-filled holiday party that we all watch - albeit through Instagram stories with a serious case of festive FOMO. Their annual Kardashian-Jenner Christmas Eve extravaganza is traditionally hosted by Kris Jenner, but over the years the Kardashians have taken it in turn to host the party.  On Kourtney's year, it was a lavish party including an upside-down Christmas tree, carollers, and a real-life Elf on the Shelf. Sia and Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir also performed. When it came to Kim and Kanye's turn, they hosted a Winter Wonderland-themed party that cost around $1.3 million. This included outstanding, glamorous decor, a light tunnel, a ski slope, Christmas trees throughout their home, and a performance by John Legend - they truly know how to celebrate Christmas!  Every year Santa comes to the party and they have a festive feast that everyone loves. Treats on offer include a churros stand, a stunning buffet of sweet potato soufflé, turkey, dressing, stuffing, brussel sprouts and homemade cheesecake, and an end-of-the-night treat from the hot-dog-on-a-stick stand. They also ensure every guest is treated to an extra special gift, from Barefoot Dreams blankets and gold chains to a Williams Sonoma pizza-themed bag with a pizza-maker, cooking stone, sauce, cutter and cookbook – isn’t that fun? 

The Perfect Christmas Gifts For Hip-Hop Fans

When it comes to Christmas everyone wants to treat their family and friends to the best presents they can find - from the best selection boxes to the finest gold jewellery. No matter what your budget, you can treat your friends to gifts that are bound to put a smile on their faces. Got a hip-hop fan in the family? These five gift ideas will have them feeling like their favourite rap artists in no time. 

Iced Out Pendants 

A gift every hip-hop fan will love! Hip-hop officially became the most popular music genre in 2017 according to Nielsen Music, prompting a huge increase in the popularity of iced out hip-hop jewellery. The most famous rappers were seen dripping in iced out jewellery, chains, rings and bracelets, but their go-to piece of hip-hop jewellery is an iced out pendant. Sean Kingston, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Snoop Dogg and many others have all been seen sporting incredible iced out pendants, with a chain to match - making them the perfect hip-hop Christmas present. 

Rolex Watch

Rolex watches will always be viewed as the ultimate luxury gift and with the brand having designed so many different models over the years, it’s not too uncommon to find vintage luxury Rolex watches, albeit at a high price tag. If you want to treat your loved ones to one of the most glamourous presents this year, then opt for a Rolex watch! 

Gucci Belt

Are your hip-hop friends looking for a designer belt? Gucci is the brand you need. Available in an abundance of styles, suitable for occasions and everyday wear, these high quality leather belts simply ooze luxury. This luxury accessory is bound to spice up your friend's next Instagram picture.

Belcher Bracelet 

Belcher bracelets are made up of circular links that connect in a captivating interlocked pattern, creating a bold, chunky bracelet. With the price of gold almost doubling in the last five years, solid gold belcher bracelets also make great long-term investments; they are a beautiful gift that your friends can keep forever. 

Premium Alcohol

Regardless of your loved one’s drink of choice, a premium bottle of alcohol will be sure to impress them this Christmas. From Belvedere to Hennessy and Patron to Grey Goose, there’s an endless selection of premier alcohol to treat your friends and family to this Christmas.  For more hip-hop-filled articles and Christmas gift guides, check out the Hatton Jewellers blog or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.