Long as it's been into hip-hop's history, and, to my knowledge, there hasn't yet been a full single-act Christmas rap album. Ever scripturally-astute rhyme unit The Cross Movement comes closer than anyone by enlisting some friends for Gift Rap.
To the group's credit, this Gift doesn't just apply the Movement's patented lyrical depth to matters appropriately Christological. The Lord's earthly birthday lends itself to familial recollections and tangential exhortations for the rest of the year.
Da T.r.u.t.h. recalls the jolly warmth of Run DMC's "Christmas In Hollis" with the "Tell You Why," whereas T.r.u-L.i.f.e offers a more bittersweet recollection of Christmastime kinship on "A Different Christmas" (with a riff recalling Eminem's "Stan" minus Dido's sample). The first Cross Mover to drop a solo longplayer, Ambassador, hits a little more theologically profound if musically weaker than on his cut with female vocalists S.O.U.L., "Come Down," than the member whose solo joint I'm most awaiting, Tonic, does on the deceptively comical "Happy Birthday To Who?"
Phanatik extends the charity the holiday engenders into what "Love Does" all year round, and FLAME draws political metaphors on the set's most hyper number, "Invasion Day."
Even with that spark of excitement, the overall beatscape here is rather blissed out and mellow. Not quite to the point of sameness, but too close for so creative a group. Multi-culti foreign guests M.O.D. (not the old metal band) pump up the energy a mite with "The King Speaks," too. Love those Brit accents, too.
Rap could sound great, among the right family, on the stereo after Christmas Eve gift opening while late night snacks are downed with some nog and punch. One might wish for a couple more club bangers amidst the Movement's more reflective reminiscences, but give the guys credit for carrying off the slightly daunting idea of ten tracks of Christmas hip-hop that don't add up to a crazy quilt compilation.
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2005Reviewed by Sarah Verno'Tis the season to be rapping about J.C. and thanks to Cross Movement Records, there is finally a CD to accommodate the season. Gift Rap is a Christmas compilation featuring The Cross Movement, Da Truth, J-Silas, FLAME and others to bring the soul of Christmas into homes everywhere. This record is full of a variety of music ranging from chill, smooth beats (like "Came Down" and "Happy Birthday to…
