In some weird rough draft rehearsal (aight ima use that in a rap in the future) WOJ realizes at 7:23 that it’s “6 Days Till’ Christmas.” Conversational dropping with an odd R+B backdrop, at least there are no f-bombs.
Christmas Countdown: 727
Mr. Kenny Rogers capitalizes on smarm, but he’s an artist so occasional poignancy peeks through like with “727 East Magnolia Avenue.” Maybe it’s my advancing years, but i have driven slowly by a previous residence and reminisced–including Xmas flashbacks. So this soft country has weaseled into my heartstrings. I’ll deal if you will.
Christmas Countdown: 7:54 BLUE ALERT
Apostle’s “143” is a mad love song, but as it seems unrequited, he’s driven mad. She’s to meet up with him for Xmas at 6 to 8, but at 9 he figures she’s got other things (men) to do. Had to look up the title, and the letter counts of I and LOVE and YOU is a shorthand thing to text now. But, did you know, there’s lots of other four-letter words?
Christmas Countdown: 762 BLUE ALERT
Still picking up on that ghetto code… so i hafta look 762 full metal jacket from “SAINTED! ON ICE” by saint judah x big brain (@orondeus). Turns out, along with the Aston Martin Vanquish, it’s a fine gift. It’s ammo. So, could be, one is for his friends, and the other’s for his enemies–in the face.
Christmas Countdown: 773
Chance the Rapper and Jeremih try to keep Christmas real by sweet singing about Jesus, then slipping in some rap about the troubles of the world–you should Christmas out those bad times for those put upon! Chance ends “Joy” with the shout-out: I’m on my 773 love, probably a reference to a Chicago phone code (made famous in the hit “Jeremih Loves 773” which also includes the other Chi-town area code 779).
Christmas Countdown: 800+
Kanye got together with Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Cyhi Da Prynce, Pusha-T, Musiq Soulchild, Teyana Taylor, and Big Sean and freestyled all about the fun and chaos of “Christmas in Harlem.” It’s all about women and dollars with a touch of family. Cyhi admits he won’t be home for the family though, as he’s more than 800 miles away. I do love the Teyana Taylor recurring verse, and that–apart from an N-word or two, the casual obscenity is not in this holiday celebration.
Christmas Countdown: 808
808 is popular in hip hop, i’m guess, from the rhythm machine often used (Roland TR-808), and not from the police code for disturbing the peace.
Take Ifan Sivac (please!) and the “Winter Christmas” ‘song’ that makes you stretch to figure out the language native to these ‘singers.’ Nauseous pop that includes the 808 hits that hard, full of trap.
Less embarrassing, an energetic rap from Saevus (feat. Ballad and Pap!land) “Christmas & 808’s” chuckles and ruffles and BLUE ALERTS like it’s fun.
Sampling in 808 on blast Far East Movement (feat. MNEK) winds up some melody with “Christmas in Downtown L.A.“
Filthy and fun, “Christmas Cookies” by Blight Dolezal goes full chipmunk rap with BLUE ALERT to spare. Don’t believe me? Careful: Please fill me with up your nutmeg please do it I’ll beg Drill my ass with your penis under the sunset Bang it like a 808 drum leave the pussy upset. Oh my.
Also carnally intent, “WHERE THE GIFTS AT” by Alexander FRE$co is the usual complaint to Santa (How you 808 and still can’t put down the fuckin plate?) about skipping certain kids. OutBLUE-ALERTrage galore. Rap’s that way.
More fun is the “Jingle Bells” parody by 4melodia (feat. London Elixir, Dalicia La Fleur & Mattie B). Oh what fun it is to shake your bells like an 808! Warning, there may be twerking.
Millionaire’s Estate will Make the 808 big bust in “Litmas,” a Christmas rap carol with a sinister back beat. Plenty of naughtiness to go around, but not a single profanity proffered. (My preference!)
Christmas Countdown: 8:15
Styx doesn’t pull much Xmas weight, but if we go digging… “Just Fell In” is a wailing rock/blues period piece about paying the judicial price for robbing a 7-11 (at 8:15). Manic depression may not help him through the long nights, boy-o. Not up the river like he is. Though he is weaving you a basket for Christmas, so that’s like therapy then.
Christmas Countdown: 8:30
Andy Churchill is sitting in your driveway wondering if it’s just a “Party of One” for Christmas. Alt-rock be-grunges the misinterpreted invitation: You said 8:30 But nobody’s here. Still he wishes you’d join his party (of one), i guess because it’s a time of forgiveness. Or he’s that naive.
Christmas countdown: 847 (etc.) BLUE ALERT
From First to Last metal rages about how crappy Christmas is (Santa’s going to die!), but in their “Christmassacre” they do ask that you call Pete Went from Fall Out Boy and supply his phone digits, starting with 847…. (You better call him, he’s in Fall Out Boy, you better call him.) Is this a prank?