‘Christmas on Death Row’ and a Stormy Season for a Storied Rap Label
The 1996 holiday album wasn’t a smash. But 25 years later, it tells a vivid story about the label’s aspirations — and its reality in the aftermath of a devastating series of events.
![‘Christmas on Death Row’ and a Stormy Season for a Storied Rap Label ‘Christmas on Death Row’ and a Stormy Season for a Storied Rap Label](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/12/20/arts/20deathrow/20deathrow-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600-v2.jpg)
![‘Christmas on Death Row’ and a Stormy Season for a Storied Rap Label ‘Christmas on Death Row’ and a Stormy Season for a Storied Rap Label](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2021/12/20/arts/20deathrow/20deathrow-videoSixteenByNineJumbo1600-v2.jpg)
The 1996 holiday album wasn’t a smash. But 25 years later, it tells a vivid story about the label’s aspirations — and its reality in the aftermath of a devastating series of events.