For generations, Christmas music has held a special place in our community. It’s been a soundtrack to family reunions, late-night kitchen conversations, church services, and quiet moments of reflection after the house finally settles.
From soul legends to modern crooners, Black artists have treated holiday music not as a novelty but as cultural preservation, carrying warmth, faith, romance, and hope from one era to the next.
This Christmas edition of The Gentlemen’s Soundtrack is a bridge between time periods. It honors the classics that raised us, the contemporary voices redefining the season, and the future of Black male artists continuing the tradition with intention and soul.
Someday At Christmas: Stevie Wonder
A timeless classic that feels both hopeful and bittersweet, this song captures the longing for peace that defines the holiday season. Stevie’s voice turns Christmas into a prayer, reminding us that joy and justice are deeply connected.
Decades later, it still sounds like the future we’re waiting for.
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?: Gregory Porter & Samara Joy
This duet feels like candlelight and champagne glasses clinking at midnight. Gregory Porter’s warmth pairs effortlessly with Samara Joy’s velvet tone, turning the song into an intimate conversation. It’s less about the calendar and more about who you’re spending the moment with.
Let It Snow: Boyz II Men feat. Brian McKnight
Pure ’90s R&B holiday magic, this record feels like matching pajamas and slow dancing in the living room. The harmonies are rich, romantic, and unmistakably classic. It’s a reminder of when Christmas playlists leaned heavily on love songs.
Be Mine This Christmas: Bryson Tiller
This track leans into Bryson Tiller’s signature vulnerability, wrapping Christmas in longing and quiet desire. It feels intimate and reflective, like confessing feelings while the tree lights glow in the background.
A modern holiday record that proves Christmas R&B can still sound honest, emotional, and unmistakably current.
This Christmas: Chris Brown
A staple in Black households every December, this version has become a modern classic in its own right. It’s upbeat, nostalgic, and impossible not to sing along to.
Christmas doesn’t officially start until this record plays.
Peppermint Tea: Xavier Omar feat. Alex Isley
This song feels like exhaling after a long year. Smooth, cozy, and deeply intimate, it turns the holidays into a moment of rest and closeness. Peppermint tea never sounded so romantic.
I’ll Be Home for Christmas: PJ Morton
PJ Morton brings gospel-rooted soul to this classic, making it feel deeply personal. His delivery emphasizes longing, family, and the emotional pull of home. It’s the kind of song that hits hardest when you’re far from where you want to be.
Silent Night: The Temptations
Few groups can turn a hymn into a masterclass in harmony. This version feels reverent, elegant, and timeless, echoing church pews and candlelight services. It’s a reminder of how sacred Christmas music has always been in Black culture.
My Favorite Things: Luther Vandross
Luther didn’t just sing Christmas songs; he owned them. This rendition feels luxurious, romantic, and deeply comforting. It’s the sound of tradition wrapped in silk vocals.
Kisses on Christmas: Eric Bellinger
Playful and flirty, this track leans into holiday romance without losing its R&B edge. It feels like sneaking away during a family function for a private moment. A reminder that Christmas isn’t just about family, it’s about love too.
The First Noel: Giveon
Giveon’s unmistakable baritone brings depth and emotion to this traditional carol. The performance feels solemn, powerful, and reverent. It bridges gospel roots with modern soul in a way that feels timeless.
#1HappyHoliday: DRAM
Joyful, colorful, and unapologetically fun, this song feels like laughter echoing through the house. DRAM brings personality and playfulness to the season. It’s a reminder that Black Christmas music has always made room for joy.
Give Love on Christmas Day: Eric Benét
Smooth, sincere, and rooted in classic soul, this song feels like a quiet reminder of what the season is really about. Eric Benét delivers warmth and tenderness, emphasizing love as an action rather than a gesture. It carries the spirit of traditional Black Christmas music while sounding timeless and deeply heartfelt.
Check out The Gentlemen’s Soundtrack below.
