Home > Holiday Blog > Archives > 2007 > December > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHoliday music played in musicians homes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In his early years as Phalon Alexander, Atlanta producer-singer-rapper Jazze Pha (above) remembers Donny Hathaway and Nat King Cole being played in the family living room during the holiday season. “Made me feel all warm and fuzzy,” he recalls. “Still does.”
T-Pain, born Faheem Najm, is Muslim, “so the holidays to other people sounded like every other day in our house,” said the Grammy-nominated singer-rapper-producer. ” We didn’t really celebrate that.”
Fellow local talent Usher, on the other hand, says “all of the classics were going at Christmas when I was growing up. My mom was playing the Temptations, Donny Hathaway, all of that.”
And what are the first holidays like at the Raymonds this year- with their first child at that? “Maaann, we can’t find an interior decorator. So we’re basically just like singing ‘Kumbaya’ my Lord, eating on the floors. I’m like ‘OK, I can’t get mad at [his new bride Tameka], because she just had a baby.’ But there’s like a big tree sitting in the middle of the room — not decorated.”
Sound that much different than the holidays in your house, growing up? What about now - is there a certain song or CD you have to have going when you’re unwrapping gifts? And is there a particular tune - say, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” - that instantly takes you back to your childhood?
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Comments
By Mick
December 24, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Hate to break it to you AJC, but these guys aren’t musicians.
Happy Holidays
By Holiday Helper
December 24, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
Sonia,
Why don’t you go over and decorate the tree for the poor baby boy. Be a useful tool for once.
By Dannyboy
December 24, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Why don’t he decorate the tree his damn self? “my interior decorator” WTF? Mabe he could get Mary J Blige to take a break from dogfighting and come over and help a brotha out.
By Racebaiter
December 24, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
You’re still saying “Holiday” on Christmas Eve? Pathetic.
By MrTrombone2
December 25, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this
I was hoping for a different kind of article - maybe speaking of impromptu chamber gathering at the home of Atlanta Symphony Musicians, or a group of private teachers celebrating Christmas with recitals in their homes or Jazz Jam Sessions at Christmas Parties. There are other forms of music performed and appreciated by readers. By the tone of the comments in the last 24 hours on this article, I am not alone and it looks like no one really cares what rappers and gangsters listen to during the holidays.
By maysie
December 25, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this
for the record, Usher is not a singer nor a gansgter. But he does sound like success has spoiled him so much whereas he can’t even decorate his own Christmas tree?
We usually listen to Yolanda Adams first Christmas CD, or Toni Braxton, Quincy Jones’ Soulful Messiah or Soul Train compilation christmas CD.
By maysie
December 25, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
sorry that first line above should’ve read as:
Usher is not a rapper nor a gansgter
By singinsiren4him
December 25, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
I am a private teacher and musician and I really enjoy having my annual Christmas party. We always have lots of musician friends come over and we have a great time sharing and jamming. We have such a variety of musician friends it is always a treat. We hear arrangements in jazz, rock , gospel, classical or traditional styles. Something for everyone. Plus, we have great food too! Can’t forget that part. This year my friend brought her praline chicken, oh my was it good. Our non-musical guests always ask to come back the next year! It is a joy to have the house filled with good food, friends, and wonderful music.
By Racebaiter
December 25, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
So, I take it that if his new wife Tameka didn’t just give birth, he’d get mad at her? Maybe beat on her a little? Nice “celebrity” on whom to focus AJC. No judgments though, right?
By ss
December 25, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Just talking in Rhyme is not making music. “Uh, Uh, Uh, Yo, Yo, Yo.”
By won'twaste$
December 25, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this
An article like this is why the AJC’s circulation keeps falling.