It’s not Christmas if you don’t listen to the most epic Black Christmas albums.
With these Black Christmas albums, you can grow closer to your family over the holidays or have a good time.
They come from gifted Black musicians full of Christmas joy and cheer.
Let’s get cheerful and check them out!
Destiny’s Child – ‘8 Days Of Christmas’
Before the members of Destiny’s Child split up and went their different ways, they gave us this gem.
‘8 Days of Christmas’ is not your everyday Christmas album.
Coming in at 41 minutes, the Platinum-selling album has songs you might expect in a Christmas album, like ‘White Christmas’ and ‘Do You Hear What I Hear.’
However, the group gives the album its distinct twist with lyrics that are unashamedly Destiny’s Child.
The group also teamed up with Solange.
With traditional songs, hip-hop ones, and ballads, ‘8 Days Of Christmas’ belongs on your playlist.
Ella Fitzgerald – ‘Ella Fitzgerald Wishes You a Swinging Christmas’
You can’t have a list of the best Black Christmas albums without featuring the First Lady of Song.
‘Ella Fitzgerald Wishes You a Swinging Christmas’ is a Christmas staple with songs that have everything from humor to romance.
This is the album you listen to when wrapping gifts, decorating the Christmas tree and having egg nog.
If Ella Fitzgerald’s album doesn’t get you into the Christmas spirit, nothing will.
Mariah Carey – ‘Merry Christmas’
After releasing ‘Merry Christmas,’ Mariah Carey became synonymous with Christmas.
Few other albums have had such an immense impact on the holiday.
Mariah Carey’s iconic album is packed with Christmas hits like ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ and ‘Joy to the World.’
‘Merry Christmas’ is also among the bestselling holiday albums, with 15 million copies sold.
The singer released another Christmas album, ‘Merry Christmas II You,’ but it’s nowhere near as iconic as ‘Merry Christmas.’
Toni Braxton – ‘Snowflakes’
‘Snowflakes’ is an underrated classic.
Braxton’s first Christmas album isn’t just a copy-paste of other Christmas albums.
Instead, Toni Braxton infused it with standout songs like ‘Christmas in Jamaica’ and ‘Snowflakes of Love.’
‘Snowflakes’ is a refreshing album if you’re tired of listening to the same old songs repeatedly.
It’s unashamedly R&B and has Toni Braxton’s signature sexiness.
Mary J. Blige – ‘A Mary Christmas’
R&B legend Mary J. Blige released ten albums before finally making a Christmas album, and boy, was it worth it!
‘A Mary Christmas’ is a holiday release with iconic tracks like ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ and ‘My Favorite Things.’
The singer also teamed up with other singers on the album, including:
- Marc Anthony
- The Clark Sisters
- Jessie J
- Chris Botti
- Barbra Streisand
Selling over half a million copies, ‘A Mary Christmas’ was a hit.
It’s also a fun album to listen to with your whole family, as it’s full of kid-friendly songs.
Patti LaBelle – ‘This Christmas’
Patti LaBelle has released two holiday albums, ‘This Christmas’ and ‘Miss Patti’s Christmas.’
They are both fantastic—everything Patti LaBelle releases is golden—but I lean more towards ‘This Christmas.’
Her first holiday album, ‘This Christmas’ is full of easygoing songs to sing along with, like ‘I’m Christmasing With You’ and ‘If Everyday Could Be Like Christmas.’
Most songs are also original, not just retreads of popular holiday songs.
‘This Christmas’ is a holiday album you can’t afford to ignore.
Various Artists – ‘A LaFace Family Christmas’
If you like Black Christmas albums with different musicians, ‘A LaFace Family Christmas’ is among the best examples.
The 1993 album has different musicians’ interpretations of Christmas songs, from ‘Silver Bells’ to ‘All I Want For Christmas.’
The album also has an impressive lineup that includes:
- Toni Braxton
- A Few Good Men
- Usher
- TLC
- Outkast
Rock Around The Christmas Tree With These Black Christmas Albums
These essential Black Christmas albums will get you into the holiday mood and are perfect for every Black household.
They transcend music genres and age because they celebrate love and family.
What are your essential Black Christmas albums?
