Now, Death Row has a history of being the most gangster record label in history. When Faux News says all rappers are "gang banging criminals," they're lying, except for Death Row. Death Row was the definition of gangster rap, mainly because they were all gangsters. You think Snoop is some nice old stoner but where were you when murder was the case and they blamed Snoop? Death Row is the murder house of hip hop.
I had to make that clear because I went into this expecting an album about Santa set tripping. Nope, I'm not even sure why this album has a parental advisory. This album has no curse words, doesn't use the N-word and majority of it is singing. While there's a fair share of classic songs, Death Row artists went ahead and created a few of their own. One of my favorite's is Nate Dogg and Butch Cassidy's "Be Thankful," or even 816's "On This Glorious Day."
I wish I had more jokes but I just don't. Death Row made a very serious Christmas album. The only reference to gangs or violence was on The Dogg Pound's song "I Wish." It's a song about sending love to family members in jail to show that you still love them. Then at the end they mention gangs needing to make a truce and love each other because at Death Row, Crips love Bloods and Bloods love Crips. That's the only gang reference on the album.
I pressed play and listened to the album expecting to make some jokes about Death Row beating up Santa and holding the reindeer for hostage and I couldn't do it. It's a good album, most of it isn't even the rapping Death Row is known for. While Snoop Dogg and The Dogg Pound are headlining the album, and it even features Lil Flip, there's only two rap songs on the album. The rest are songs from different artists on the label who practice various other styles.
Admittedly there's some sour spots on the album. I wasn't really feeling Michel'le's version of "Silver Bells," I felt it was kind of strange and really different from the other songs. Then I realized it was because she was the only woman on the album, and it makes a lot of sense that her voice wouldn't be as deep as other artists' and she could sing a faster paced song. Even with that, it sounds like a Death Row album. There's the G-Funk sound they made popular and even the jokes they usually included on skits.
The album only sold 200,000 copies which is a lot today, but it would probably be considered a flop back then. In reality, they probably gave more copies away. The album was actually their way of giving back to the community, which explains the call for a gang truce. The profits from the album even went to charity so it's probably the best thing Suge Knight ever did for anyone.
As much as it sounds like a joke, it's a legitimate Christmas album. I can't make any jokes about it other than the fact that Death Row did a Christmas album. It's actually pretty good and flows well. Try to throw it in the rotation today during the ceremonies if you get a chance. It'll be worth it.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He also plays classic arcade games on The Cabinet
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I actually remember when this came out. Don't remember listening to more than a couple tracks, though. I did go and listen to the Dipset album after reading your review. Um...you were so right...yeesh!
ReplyDeleteIt's a cool album, just way different than what is expected of Death Row. Jim Jones is just going to be Jim Jones and make bad rap. Can't do anything about it.
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