Alright, let’s get into this wild ride of an album—Xmas Beat by Rapping St. Claus. Yeah, you heard that right, RAPPING ST. CLAUS. It’s like someone took Santa’s sack of gifts, threw in a drum machine, and shook it up real good. Released way back in 1988 in Austria (yep, not the North Pole), this pop oddity came out on Bellaphon Records. And honestly? It’s stuck in my brain like tinsel on a Christmas tree.
First off, the title track “Xmas Beat” is just… something else. Imagine jingle bells colliding with synth beats while some dude tries to rap about holiday cheer. The chorus hits hard though—it’s cheesy as heck but oddly addictive. You know those songs that make you roll your eyes at first, then catch yourself humming them while wrapping presents? That’s this one. Something about its relentless energy makes me wanna dance around the living room like nobody’s watching. Or maybe grab another gingerbread cookie. Either way, it works.
Then there’s the remix: “Xmas Beat (Red Nosed Rendeer Mix).” Okay, so clearly they were having fun here because who doesn’t love Rudolph vibes mixed with ‘80s production tricks? This version cranks everything up a notch—more sleigh bells, more bass, more… well, everything. It feels like a party where all your weird uncles show up wearing reindeer antlers and start breakdancing. I can’t unhear it now, and honestly, I don’t want to. There’s something endearing about how over-the-top it is.
Now, reflecting on this whole thing… I mean, what even IS Xmas Beat? Is it satire? A genuine attempt at festive joy? Or just some mad genius cashing in on holiday madness? Whatever it is, it’s impossible not to smile when listening to it. It reminds me that music doesn’t always have to be perfect or polished—it just has to feel alive. Plus, if nothing else, it’ll give future generations a good laugh when they stumble across it in their grandparents’ record collections.
Oh, and one last thought: whoever decided to name themselves Rapping St. Claus deserves a medal. Or therapy. Maybe both.
