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7 New Christmas Songs You Should Add To Your Holiday Season Playlist

A round-up of this year’s seasonal treats you need to hear.

December 23, 2016

Everyone has a favorite Christmas song, whether it's an undeniable classic or a little off the beaten track. 2016 has handed us a nice supply of new additions to the latter category. This year we've had songs from Chance The Rapper and Jeremih, DeJ Loaf, Popcaan, among others. Some tackle political rage and personal isolation, while others bring the sounds of juke and bounce to the mix. Read on for the year's best festive jams.

1. Chance The Rapper and Jeremih, "Merry Christmas Lil Mama"

Jeremih and Chance's surprise holiday mixtape acts as a love letter to their native Chicago. The spirit of the city is felt most strongly in the title track on which Chance sings "Happy Birthday Jesus" over a jerky and relentless juke beat.

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2. DeJ Loaf x Kodak Black, "All I Want For Christmas"

Sleigh bells jingle in the back of this richly produced ode to family. For DeJ, it's the chance to thank her mom for making Christmases gone by feel special, while Kodak Black embraces his freedom over a beat as thick as gravy.

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3. Big Freedia, "Make It Jingle"

Big Freedia dresses in a festive red pantsuit in the video for this bass-heavy Christmas tune. Looking like the Santa Claus you wish would visit on December 25, The Queen of Bounce raps, "I want a new Porsche and a Benz, I could show Santa how to spin."

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4. Rina Sawayama, "This Time Last Year"

London-based singer Rina Sawayama taps into the melancholy nature of Christmas perfectly as she reflects on a tumultuous 12 months and sings, "This time last year I thought I knew everything..." It's a beautiful song and a timely reminder that festive cheer isn't always shared out equally.

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5. Kodie Shane, "This Christmas"

The Sailing Team member takes on Donny Hathaway’s seasonal classic. Shane and Atlanta-based singer Cymia share vocal duties over live instrumentation, their youthful energy giving the original a modern makeover.

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6. Sad13, "MCGA"

Sadie Dupuis knows that Christmas '16 might be one for awkward political conversations with relatives at the dinner table. "Hark, I need herald alcohol," she sings over dueling guitars and wonky synths as she reaches for the eggnog.

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7. Popcaan, "Christmas Gift"

Because everyone, even Wiz Khalifa, deserves an Unruly Christmas.

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Posted: December 23, 2016