New Orleans’ own Acantha Lang has revealed an exclusive limited edition Christmas release featuring “Xmas In The Hood” and “Christmas Time Is The Right Time” –available as a signed CD or digital download only at acanthalang.com.
Every CD comes personally signed and includes a complimentary digital download. These CDs won’t be reprinted, so once they’re gone, they’re gone, and will not be available on DSPs.
The two original holiday compositions reflected Lang’s desire for authentic Christmas soul music in the vein of hero Donny Hathaway and his iconic “This Christmas”, and funk pioneer James Brown. Click below to check them out.
Lang shares the inspiration behind the tracks:
‘Xmas In The Hood’ is my attempt to fill a gap I feel exists in holiday music—a soulful Christmas song that gives listeners a window into what it feels like to step into a Black family’s home for Christmas, or any holiday or cookout for that matter. I grew up in the “hood” in New Orleans, a place that often gets a bad rap. While it’s true that poverty and its challenges are real, the “hood” is also a place of love, community, and family—the things we all cherish. There’s a joyful energy that exists in Black families that doesn’t always get talked about, and I wanted to change that. It’s filled with good home-cooked food, laughter, dancing, singing, and a vibrant spirit that I wanted this song to celebrate.
‘Christmas Time Is The Right Time’ is my unapologetic nod to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. I wanted to write a fun, funky Christmas song for those of us who crave a little more groove in our festive playlists. The way I see it (and sing it in the song), Christmas Time Is The Right Time to hang with James!
The ‘Soul Funk Xmas’ release follows Lang’s highly praised recent shows as part of the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest, performing alongside the likes of The New Mastersounds and where she met new fans like Anderson.Paak . Ending 2024 with further shows in Spain after a successful headline run, and drawing a line after the first anniversary of her critically acclaimed debut album, Beautiful Dreams, #3 in the UK Jazz & Blues Albums chart, Acantha Lang is now preparing to go back into the studio for her sophomore album, slated for 2025.
Beautiful Dreams garnered Album of the Month honors from Soul Tracks and received rave reviews with 5-star ratings in Echoes Magazine and Soul Bag Magazine (France). Lang has also been captivating audiences with performances at SXSW 2024, major venues in Spain and the UK, and renowned clubs like House of Blues (New Orleans) and Melkweg (Netherlands).
Lang’s songwriting prowess was recognized before her solo career, crafting tracks for the GRAMMY-nominated Robert Randolph & The Family Band. Her debut EP, ‘Sugar Woman,’ earned her critical acclaim and the 2021 Soul Tracks Readers’ Choice Award for New Artist of the Year.
With over 3 million streams and placements on top Spotify playlists like All Funked Up, Best Retro Songs, and Best Funk Songs of 2023, Lang’s music is resonating with a global audience. Extensive radio support in the UK (BBC 6Music’s Funk & Soul Show) and the US (KCRW’s Top Tune of the Day) further solidifies her rising star status.
