On this date in 1996, Loss of life Row Data launched its first and solely Christmas album, a vacation undertaking that arrived throughout one of the vital painful moments within the label’s historical past. The compilation dropped lower than three months after the deadly capturing of Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, casting a somber shadow over what was meant to be a festive launch.

The album introduced collectively the complete Loss of life Row roster, together with Michel le, who was intently related to Suge Knight on the time, together with Snoop Dogg, the Dogg Pound duo Daz Dillinger and Kurupt, the graceful voiced Nate Dogg, Danny Boy, and a number of other rising artists on the label. Collectively they reimagined a group of Christmas soul requirements and seasonal favorites like Silver Bells, Frosty Thee Snowman, and White Christmas by means of the unmistakable sound of West Coast rap.

The album by no means grew to become a significant mainstream launch, however with gross sales round 2 hundred thousand copies, it managed to carve out its personal lane. What made the undertaking much more significant was the report that proceeds had been directed towards charitable causes, including an sudden layer of goal to a undertaking launched throughout a turbulent interval for the label.

Practically three a long time later, this beneath the radar vacation launch stays a novel chapter in Loss of life Row’s historical past and a uncommon instance of a gangsta rap powerhouse moving into the Christmas spirit. Salute to all the Loss of life Row camp for making a seasonal undertaking that also stands as one in every of Hip Hop’s most uncommon and memorable vacation albums.