Most Americans (and famously Bing Crosby) dream about fresh snowfall come Christmas day. For residents of sunny L.A.—or Angelenos, as they like to be called—the dream of a white Christmas is just that—a dream.
While freezing temperatures are rare, that doesn’t mean Angelenos can’t pop on a Santa hat and enjoy the warm(ish) weather during their festivities. This year, L.A.-based production company Crewest Studio gives Angelenos another reason to celebrate their city—and it has nothing to do with snow, sleigh bells, or ugly Christmas sweaters.
It might get toes tapping, though. Produced as a “special gift” to the City of Los Angeles, “Christmas in L.A.” is a free, downloadable song that taps into the city’s legendary hip-hop roots. Featuring L.A.-based emcees Aceyalone, 2Mex, Medusa, and Myka 9 alongside Raul Pacheco and Asdru Sierra of Grammy award-winning Latin rock band Ozomatli, “Christmas in L.A.” pays homage to the City of Angels' magical—and unique—holiday season.
“Christmas in L.A.” was produced by music polymath Dan Ubick of Danube Productions, who lives and works in L.A. “Hip-hop holiday songs are extremely rare,” says Crewest Studio Executive Producer Scott “Sourdough” Power. “So we decided to produce one, dedicate and gift it to the city we love, Los Angeles. To do it right, it was essential we work with Angelenos like Dan and these legendary rappers and artists who grew up celebrating Christmas in sunny, warm Los Angeles.”
“Christmas in L.A.” is available to download on Crewest Studio or for streaming on Spotify or Apple Music. An exclusive artist autograph signing takes place at DesignerCon in Anaheim, CA, on Dec. 15, 2023. Limited edition prints and other merchandise featuring artwork from L.A. graffiti artist Man One will also be available.
Listen to “Christmas in L.A.” on the player above, download the track for free here, or scroll down to read more about the emcees involved in this project.
Aceyalone
Edwin Maximilian "Eddie" Hayes, Jr., better known by his stage name Aceyalone, is an American rapper from Los Angeles, California. He is a member of Freestyle Fellowship, Haiku D'Etat, and The A-Team. He is also a co-founder of Project Blowed. Aceyalone is best known for his role in evolving left-field hip-hop on the West Coast at a time when the West Coast was dominated by gangsta rap.
2Mex
Alejandro Ocana, better known by his stage name 2Mex, is a rapper from Los Angeles, California. He is a member of The Visionaries and Of Mexican Descent. His collaborations include underground hip-hop artists such as Jel, Omid, Thavius Beck, Factor, Radioinactive, and Isaiah "Ikey" Owens. He is a member of the Project Blowed crew and is affiliated with Shape Shifters.
Medusa
Medusa's music makes you feel strong and proud and encourages ONE Love. Coming up in the L.A. scene, she honed her skills at the Good Life Café and Leimert Park’s Project Blowed Workshop around Freestyle Fellowship, Black Eye Peas, Macy Grey, and Xzibit. Medusa was also the first emcee in the L.A. hip-hop scene with a live band.
Myka 9
Myka 9 is a vocalist from Los Angeles, California, known primarily as a rapper who helped get the world to freestyle while seeding the underground hip-hop movement with groups like the Freestyle Fellowship, Haiku d'Etat, and Free Association with Project Blowed.
All photos published with permission of the artist(s); hero artwork and illustrations by Man One.
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