Santa Baby
Keith Murray Salt-N-Pepa Mase Reverend Run & The Christmas All Stars P. Diddy Snoop Dogg Onyx Lyrics

It was December 24 on hollis after the dark
The night before Christmas, in a neighborhood in Queens, NY.

My man Santa saw a rabbi and gave the strangest remark
Santa Claus had an unusual conversation with a Jewish religious leader.

He said that giving was his living and I had to take part
Santa told him that he makes his living by giving, and encouraged him to do the same.

So I grabbed a bag of goodies and I hopped up on his cart
Inspired by Santa, he filled a bag with gifts and hopped onto his sleigh.

I laced the pockets of the poor and gave the hoodie a play
He gave gifts and money to those less fortunate, and enjoyed himself in the process.

Dropped some dollars up on Hollis and I went on my way
He gave money to those in need on Hollis Avenue before continuing his journey.

I hear your jingle Mr. Kringle peep the single, my man
He hears the sound of Santa's sleigh bells and excitedly greets him.

Now all Mase know when it's eight twenty-four
Mase knows that when the time is 8:24, he should be looking for Santa Claus.

He be looking at the door for the ho ho ho
Mase looks out for Santa Claus's arrival and listens for his famous laugh.

Cause I know when there's a Christmas uptown
Mase knows that Christmas is a special time in his neighborhood.

Ain't no chimney for Santa to come down
However, there are no chimneys for Santa to use in this area.

Now to me, Pd, I had a lot appreciated everything that I got
P. Diddy reflects on how thankful he is for all that he has received in his life.

Though I used to take my pops who ain't caught me shaking the box
He used to sneak around and shake the gift boxes, but his father never caught him.

Cause I knew I couldn't wait till it turned 12 o'clock
He was too excited to wait until Christmas morning to open his gifts.

Cookies and milk, satin and silk
He relaxes on Christmas Eve with some treats and luxurious fabric.

I'm chilling in the living room, wrapped in a quilt
He is relaxing and staying warm in his cozy living room.

I'm waiting on this fat red suit-wearing, comparing my gifts to my homeboy next door to me
He is eagerly waiting for Santa Claus to arrive, and wondering what gifts his neighbor received.

A gift here, none there, but who cares
He may not have received as many gifts as his neighbor, but he is still grateful for what he has.

My little sister needs a comb just to braid her nappy hair
He is aware that his sister needs basic items like a comb for her hair.

But here we go again waiting on the enemy to slide down the chimney
He is frustrated that they are waiting for a fictional character to bring them gifts when they face real enemies.

Look here, that ain't reality
He recognizes that relying on Santa Claus for gifts is not a realistic or practical solution.

Santa baby, just slip a Benzo under the tree for me
Salt-N-Pepa ask Santa Claus to bring them a car as a gift.

A '98 convertible, light blue
They specifically request a 1998 light blue convertible car.

I'm looking for a fly guy like you, so hurry down the chimney tonight
They want Santa to bring them a stylish car and are eagerly awaiting his arrival.

Santa baby, are you really real?
They question whether Santa is a real person or just a figment of their imagination.

Let me see you make my pockets jingle (ching ching)
They want Santa to bring them money for Christmas.

We need some jobs in the ghetto, too much gangbanging where kids are playing
They recognize that their community needs better job opportunities and safer environments for children.

I hear the church bells ringing on Christmas Eve, I believe Jesus calling me
They hear the church bells ringing and feel a connection with their faith on Christmas Eve.

Forget the gifts and the shopping lists and the new kicks, you're just falling for tricks (you better praise him)
They emphasize the importance of focusing on the true meaning of Christmas and not getting caught up in materialistic desires.

It's the gritty-the grimy, the low down, the shifty
Onyx describes the rough and tough nature of Christmas in their neighborhood.

Yo sticky, Christmas time in the city
They address their friend Sticky Fingaz and acknowledge that Christmas time is different in the city.

Late night, stars are bright, we getting rocked with the 50 St. Nicholas
They are celebrating Christmas late into the night and enjoying the festivities on St. Nicholas Avenue.

Start rippin' this, it's the Grinch who stole Christmas
They start performing their song and reference the popular Christmas story about the Grinch.

Climbin' down ya chimney, kids open up they gifts, they all gonna be empty
They suggest that Santa Claus will not be bringing gifts to their community, so children's gifts will be empty.

Just like mine was, I hate to say it
They lament that they know what it feels like to receive empty gifts on Christmas.

But if I wasn't a boy I wouldn't have had nuthin to play wit!
They acknowledge that even though they may not receive gifts, they are grateful for their childhood memories.

On December 25th I knew I wasn't getting jack
They know that they will not receive any gifts on Christmas Day.

When I saw Santa Claus on the corner buying crack
They see someone dressed as Santa Claus engaging in illegal activity.

I ran up on him with the Cadillac and asked him 'yo what's up with that?'
They confront the Santa Claus impersonator and ask him why he is buying drugs.

He said 'There ain't no Christmas kid' and I can't get him back
The Santa Claus impersonator is dismissive and unapologetic, and they know they cannot change his actions.

Back in the days, Christmas was deep
They reminisce about how meaningful Christmas used to be when they were younger.

My moms put presents under the tree while I played sleep and peeped ha!
They remember pretending to be asleep while their mother put presents under the tree, then sneaking a peek at them.

Santa Claus never gave me nuthin, seen them mad faces, lying and frontin
They recognize that Santa Claus was never the one to give them gifts, and that people around them often pretended to have received more than they really did.

So do some good to the ghetto, Mr. Chris Kringle
They challenge Santa Claus to bring gifts and joy to their community.

Come and stay awhile, kick it with God's angel
They welcome Santa Claus to spend time with them and enjoy the holiday spirit.

Take and acknowledge my wisdom and understand that Santa Claus is a black man, word up
They challenge stereotypes and highlight that anyone can embody the spirit of Santa Claus, regardless of race or background.