Zaytoven and Deitrick Haddon "Greatest Gift"

 I have been trying to write a review for this extended play for several years, not because I feel like I have to do it, but because it is that good, and I want to. However, most know that when it comes to a Christmas list, they are merely suggestions and possibilities, not guarantees.

I just want to do the album justice in the review, and sometimes with albums I enjoy, I just don't have it in my heart to do so. For some, reviewing a record or a film is merely a job, and does not require much consultation from the heart, merely the mind; that is not the case with me, and I am certain I am not the only one who feels this way.

Anyways, Christmas Hip-Hop and Rap is not really utilized when it comes to full length albums. with singles and songs, yes, but albums and even extended plays, not so much. There are compilation albums with original tunes by various artists, but that is not what I mean. I am talking about an album by a singular artist or collaboration between two artists that is more family friendly.

 I have listened to Snoop Dogg's Christmas in Tha Dogg House, which is good and has become an annual tradition, and I have yet to hear A Colt 45 Christmas by Afroman, which sounds interesting, but is probably not a good suggestion for the fam. One of my favorites that I had heard before this one is A Very Random Christmas, and until this record, Mega Ran's modern holiday classic was the only one that was the best fit; Snoop's was close, but not friendly enough.

While I like to include critiques of certain song selections, instead of merely critiquing in a general sense, this may be one of those records where I may not delve too deep and pull out surprise references from the magic bag of St. Nicholas. I must applaud the production and consistency of the record, for there is no fat on the Christmas Ham, or Tofam; I was going to use Turkey and Tofurkey, but the former felt more appropriate.

I must say that while the lyrics are generally family friendly, there are traces of coal in "Make Love on Christmas" and "Holiday Bae-cation." It does balance out the songs that celebrate the real reason of the season and explicitly state it in the eponymous audio blessing "Greatest Gift," an abbreviated nativity story found on "Silent Night," and the beautiful "Christmas Prayer" that follows through with one before the second song.

The last song, sounds like it would be effective in scoring a "Good Christmas."

Now that I think of it, this record may not be another answer to a family friendly Christmas rap album, but a solid one, nonetheless.