With the holidays around the corner, we’ve been eagerly awaiting this year's batch of new Christmas albums. Of the announcements, Fantasia’s Christmas After Midnight was at the top of our list. Her first album after leaving RCA, the project includes a number of our favorite Christmas standards sung as only Fantasia can. Now we’re treated to a “beauty visual” for her version of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”
In the clip, we watch as Fanny is primped and pampered in a beautiful photo shoot. Celebrity photographer and frequent collaborator Derek Blanks captures the essence of the singer as his assistants and her glam squad snatch her right together. For her rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” Fantasia keeps it classic with an assist from guest CeeLo Green. While there’s no change in the lyrics, vocal delivery or jazzy production, hearing Tasia’s and Mr. Green’s unique voices sing this much beloved holiday classic is a sweet treat.
Now, while we adore Fantasia’s update of the Christmas classic, we’re not sure if CeeLo was the best choice for this duet. The lyrical content of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” has been accused of being a bit rapey, and when you consider that CeeLo has himself been accused of rape, the combination is extremely suspect. That said, it should make for a spirited debate on Black Twitter or your favorite messy morning radio show.
Despite our side-eye on CeeLo, Fantasia’s Christmas After Midnight rightly deserves a spot in your holiday music collections for annual enjoyment. Produced by Ron Fair, the project features covers of a variety of yuletide classics, including James Brown’s “Santa Clause Go Straight To The Ghetto,” "Give Love On Christmas Day," “Silent Night” and more. Fantasia's Christmas After Midnight Tour kicks off soon, making stops in Atlanta, Dallas, New York, Philadelphia and additional cities. You can purchase the album and buy tickets for the tour by visiting Fantasia's website.
