It’s finally Christmas season, one of the most exciting times of the year. There’s an abundance of food, laughter, and some extra doses of love in the air. There’s also one thing we can’t forget, African Christmas songs to put us in the festive spirit.
You’ve probably heard your fair share of Christmas carols right from when you were little. From the O Christmas Trees to the Fuji Christmas Songs, there’s an abundance of Christmas songs to keep you festive throughout the season.
Today at Soot Africa, we’re going to look at some amazing African Christmas songs you should absolutely have on your playlists. Here are some Christmas song originals and renditions to help you celebrate Christmas the African way!
Jesu Emmanuel – Ntokozo Mbambo
We’re starting out with Ntokozo’s Jesu Emmanuel. This is one of the soft and powerful South African Christmas songs that makes me want to wear a Christmas hat and sing along to it. Ntokozo’s amazing voice delivers this song almost perfectly, and even though I don’t understand a word of what the song says, I know it’s a loving Christmas song. It’s probably because of how peaceful the song is, but hearing it made me think of O Little Christmas Tree but in the beautiful Bantu language.
2face Idibia, Yemi Alade, Eddy Kenzo, Cynthia Morgan, Waje, Rhema Namakula, The Yamoto Band From Tanzania & More – 12 Days Of Christmas (African Rendition)
This is one of my favorite Christmas song renditions. Coke Studio featured so many stars from all across Africa in a hilarious African rendition of 12 Days Of Christmas. However, this Christmas song came with a little twist. Instead of turtledoves and French hens, we have plates of Nkwobi, gold chains, and Ghanaian Jollof. Additionally, it made it to our list of top African Christmas songs because of how many beautiful African languages it features. Enjoy!
Solomon Lange – Naija Christmas Song
Solomon Lange gives us his own rendition of Joy To The World in what he calls a Naija Christmas song. This is one of the African Christmas songs that start out as a Christmas carol. But as it progresses, it does so into a much different version of the famous song.
Alex Boye Ft Genesis Choir – Little Drummer Boy (African Christmas song Rendition)
If you love the original Little Drummer Boy, you’re going to love this one even more. Alex Boye and Genesis Choir put up a nice Christmas vocal cocktail on this number. The African drums and infusions and vocal echoes on this Christmas song sound almost surreal. Basically, everything about the choral balances on this song made me think about Ladysmith Black Mambazo, with a more modernized kick to it.
Ric Hassani – I’ll Give You Love This Christmas
It wouldn’t be a complete list of African Christmas songs without a Ric Hassani Christmas song, would it? Basically, Ric Hassani promises to give all the love he has in this charming song. It’s certainly the kind of Christmas song you play that reminds everyone of how loving the season is. For both platonic and romantic relationships, this is an evergreen song that spreads a healthy amount of cheer wherever it’s being played.
