Do you get tired of listening to the same old Christmas and holiday songs year after year? The Eagle Examiner has the perfect cure if after a few weeks of holiday cheer the novelty has completely worn off. Hip-hop and rap stars rarely make the foray into the traditional world of Christmas music, but when they do, the result can only be described as explosive. From Kanye to Snoop Dogg and Run-D.M.C. to Outkast, rappers have truly innovated the Christmas music genre. Put your headphones in, and get ready for these fire mixtapes to warm your cold winter season.

1. Run-D.M.C., Mase, Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Salt-N-Pepa, Onyx and Keith Murray

Santa Baby

Snoop Dogg absolutely kills his verse in this remake of a classic. This song earns the number one spot on its list for its star power and awesome beat.

2. Outkast

Player’s Ball (Christmas Version)

This is perhaps the most underrated of all holiday themed rap songs. Andre 3000 and Big Boi flat out kill their verses, bringing an intense southern lyricism and beat.

3. Run-D.M.C.

Christmas in Hollis

Run-D.M.C. reminisce about spending their holidays in the neighborhood of Hollis in Queens in perhaps the most well-known Christmas rap. The song samples from “Frosty the Snowman,” “Jingle Bells” and “Joy to the World.”

4. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg

Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto

This track comes from the album Christmas on Death Row, released by Death Row Records. In addition to the Doggs, the song also features Tray Deee, Bad Azz, Daz Dillinger, and slow beat sampled from Isaac Hayes.

5. Ying Yang Twins

Deck Da Club

Southern crunk at its Christmas best.

6. Kanye West, Cam’Ron, Jim Jones, Vado, Pusha T, Musiq Soulchild, CyHi Da Prynce, Teyana Taylor and Big Sean

Christmas in Harlem

Kanye pulled out all the stops for this track, in the spirit of Run-D.M.C.’s Christmas in Harlem, producing a passionate but skillful classic.

7. Ludacris

Ludacrismas

Ludacris, starring in the bomb box office/critical bomb Fred Claus, produced at least one lasting work in this remake of “Jingle Bells.”

8. David Banner ft. Marcus & Sky

The Christmas Song

David Banner, likely the unknown on this list, writes a serious critique of inequality and race relations during the holiday season. The song itself is also pretty good, showcasing Banner’s skills as a rapper and social critic.