SoulBounce’s 2021 Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers

SoulBounce's 2021 Holiday Gift Guide For Music Lovers is here! It's Christmas Eve, and although we're a little late with posting this year's list, it's still right on time. That's because this guide isn't only good for Christmas gift-giving but for any time and any occasion that calls for just the right gift for a music head.

- Advertisement -

For the sixth year in a row, we are bringing you our annual gift guide, but for the first time ever this list is comprised entirely of products sold by Black-owned or co-owned businesses. In addition to that, the biggest flex is that the majority of businesses listed are Black women-owned just like we are. The companies chosen for this year's list sell items at every price point and run the gamut from the practical and functional to the fun and extravagant. You are guaranteed to find just the right gift for any and every music lover that you know – even if that music lover is yourself – and have the satisfaction that you are buying Black. Talk about a win-win!

It goes without saying to support all of the Black business owners, artists and creatives that you'll find ahead not just during the holidays but year-round.

- Advertisement -

Shop @ SoulBounce Apparel & Accessories*

The holidays aren’t the holidays if you’re not looking your flyest. But don’t worry, we’ve got something for the people! Shop @ SoulBounce has all the gear for your favorite music lover (or just for you). That includes our best-selling Thank God For Music Collection that includes tees, sweatshirts, dresses, tanks and more. But if you want to get more specific about your musical love, we also have genre-based designs — including our R&B Collection, Soul Collection and our newly released Hip-Hop Collection featuring the fresh new DJ Snob, Golden Era Girl and Thank God For Hip-Hop styles. We’ve got all that plus other accessories so you can look good while reppin’ for the culture and your favorite music site. – D-Money

- Advertisement -

*Black Woman-Owned Business

- Advertisement -

LOU*MACK BEAUTY*

It's true that we've been devoted fans of the lovely Avery*Sunshine since her eponymous 2010 debut. That smile. That authenticity. That VOICE. But over the years, what we've come to love most about this dynamic diva is that her blend of beauty and talent is more than skin deep – it's soul deep. So when she launched her cosmetic company LOU*MACK BEAUTY – in the middle of a pandemic, no less – we knew it deserved some shine on our gift guide.

LOU*MACK specializes in lipsticks, liners and lashes designed to make a statement. Fan favorite songs from Ms. Sunshine's catalogue, along with a nod to her daughter Drew's debut single, serve as unique names for her signature line of lip colors that come in mattes and glosses. Our top picks for a head-turning holiday combo are the "All In My Head" liquid matte and retractable gel lip liner, enhanced by "The Avery" mink lashes. We also admire how the family-run company, named after Avery's formidable great-grandmother, honors her rich heritage and celebrates Black womanhood. – B. Cakes

- Advertisement -

*Black Woman-Owned Business

- Advertisement -

Imitation By Jerell Prints

We know you’ve seen him in the video! No, seriously, Atlanta-based artist Jerell Gantt has been taking social media by storm with his videos turning pictures and paintings of iconic artists into glorious works of functional art. If you’ve fallen in love with his creations, then you’ll be happy to know that his Etsy page, Imitation by Jerell, has his works ready to purchase. While he’s probably best known for his amazing tables, he also has a number of prints that depict some of our musical faves in gorgeous detail. These include “RIGHT WITHIN,” a portrait of Miseducation-era Lauryn Hill, and beautiful portraits of Jill Scott, Ari Lennox and Brandy. You’ll also find several pieces featuring other Black music icons and Afrocentric themes. If the music lover in your life also appreciates visual art, then Imitation By Jerell is a one-stop shop. – D-Money

- Advertisement -

Anatomy Of R&B*

Game night has never been the same since A.V. Perkins and Marian Andoh began schooling folks with their crowd-pleasing, hip-hop lovers card game, University of Dope. Now that we've mastered the General Studies edition, the UoD faculty has developed a new course of studies to keep our musical minds educated and entertained. The Anatomy of R&B is a "triflin’ good for nothing type of expansion pack" that will help you get your party started right. Test your lyrical knowledge, trash-talk your friends' taste in music and be prepared to set it off on the left this holiday season and beyond. Be sure to check out the University's Bookstore for additional cool merch and apparel. – B. Cakes

*Black Woman-Owned Business

- Advertisement -

Keynote Scents Candles*

Need a little help getting into the holiday spirit? Keynote Scents’ limited edition Soul Holiday collection is live! The “This Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” scents are available in candles and concentrated room sprays and pair with the curated holiday playlist to keep the festive vibes going all season long.

- Advertisement -

Grab the perfect gift for the music lover in your life with 12” or Maxi Bundles from the My Top Five or All That Jazz collections, and don’t forget to shop coffee mugs and stemware from the Keynote Collection. Prince fans can’t get enough of our Purple Rain candles, room sprays and wax melts, while true jazz heads love pairing the A Love Supreme candle with the Cabernet Candles Coltrane wine glass.

Still stumped? Take the guesswork out of it, grab a few Keynote Scents (e)Gift Cards and let them create their own Keynote experience! – EatsBeatsNLife

- Advertisement -

*Black Woman-Owned Business

- Advertisement -

Raycon Headphones & Earbuds

Gen Z might be just discovering that Ray J is indeed Brandy’s brother, but the musician and reality star has also been making major moves on the personal electronics front. His Raycon brand has been making waves thanks to its impressive line of headphones and earbuds that go toe-to-toe with their much more expensive competition. The Everyday Earbuds offer punched-up bass and boast 8 hours of listening time on one charge (with the case offering 32 hours of extra charge). The Everyday Headphones take the earbuds’ capabilities even further with Active Noise Cancelling and up to 22 hours of playback from a single charge (and a 15-minute charge will give you two hours of playback). Add in IPX6 water and splash resistance, the ability to create up to three sound profiles for a personalized listening experience and prices at a fraction of higher-profile brands, and you’ve got a good thing for your favorite music lover this holiday. – D-Money

Nude Sugar*

We love ourselves some Toni Braxton! What we’re especially loving is her youthful glow that’s making her 50s look absolutely fabulous. This year, she shared some of her secrets (see what we did there?) with us by launching her new skincare line Nude Sugar. Sold exclusively at Ulta Beauty, Nude Sugar is a collection of products that Toni created with the skin of African-American women in mind. The collection will help keep skin looking moisturized and supple, with some even offering a glow that might rival Ms. Braxton herself. That’s why well-reviewed products like The Creém and the Refined Sugar line of body lotion, body mist, hair mist and bath and shower gel have people spelling Toni’s name and singing her praises. Get yourself or the lady in your life right by shopping the entire Nude Sugar collection at your local Ulta Beauty store or visiting the brand online. – D-Money

*Black Woman-Owned Business

"Talkin' All That Jazz Puzzle" by Apostrophe Puzzles*

Studies have proven that solving jigsaw puzzles can be beneficial to your health by improving memory and relieving stress among other things. However, actress Mandi Masden noticed a lack of diverse representation in puzzle imagery and sought to fill that void with the launch of Apostrophe Puzzles. The company highlights the works of BIPOC artists like Vinita Karim, Hodaya Louis and Marianne Angeli Rodriguez, plus offers accessible patronage of high-value art to all.

Designed to be framed and displayed upon completion, each puzzle will fill your space with color and culture. But being the music lovers that we are, we're partial to "Talkin' All That Jazz" by Brooklyn-based, Japanese-Canadian painter Tim Okamura. You don't have to be a jazz aficionado to fully appreciate this gift. The 1000-piece puzzle pays homage to icons of the genre while celebrating the beauty and strength of today's Black woman. – B. Cakes

*Black Woman-Owned Business

Most Incredible Hip-Hop LEGO Art*

Hip-hop is more than just rap music, it's a culture – one that has permeated our clothing, footwear, electronic accessories, reading lists, cuisine and even our toys. From video games to collectible dolls, we thought we'd seen it all. But Most Incredible has created a unique way to excite our inner child while simultaneously appealing to our rap-loving sensibilities.

The New York and Chicago-based creative studio founded by Syreeta Gates and Randall Wilson sells hip-hop inspired LEGO® sculptures, building kits and downloadable DIY instructions. Whether you're shopping for a LEGO Master or a novice builder, there are a variety of cool gift options for every budget. Highlights include Shaolin Style (a Wu-Tang tribute), The Abstract (1 of 4 A Tribe Called Quest pieces), Check One (a customizable microphone) and many more. – B. Cakes

*Black Woman Co-Owned Business

Coffee Mugs by The Trini Gee*

The Trini Gee proudly promotes female empowerment and stands firmly behind individual Black ‎minds and collective souls.‎ The "Star Seller" on Etsy sells a little bit of everything in her store, including clothing, accessories, journals, tote bags and an impressive array of coffee mugs that serve simple reminders of our unique ability to permeate Black girl magic on a daily basis. Included in her mug collection are a few for the music lovers in your life. The Female Rappers mug pays homage to 20 queens who’ve made their mark in both new and old-school hip-hop, including everyone from M.I.A. to Queen Latifah. We also love The Sweetest Thing mug, which features lyrics from the Lauryn Hill classic and a black-and-white drawing of the singer. The BeyHive is sure to swarm around the Beyoncé-inspired mug, which features an illustration of Beyoncé from her "7/11" video, showcasing Queen B adorned in a gold crown and in meditation mode.

Don’t see a mug paying tribute to your favorite artist? Would you prefer your mug in your favorite color? Hit up The Trini Gee, as she is always happy to customize any mug to your liking for a nominal fee. – EatsBeatsNLife

*Black Woman-Owned Business

Keys Soulcare*

Alicia Keys has infamously sworn off wearing makeup. But that doesn’t mean the GRAMMY Award-winner is out here being ashy, either. Instead, she’s offering fans the keys to healthy, glowing, beautiful skin with her Keys Soulcare line.

According to the website, “Keys Soulcare goes beyond skincare to truly care for the whole self — body, mind and spirit.” That’s promisingly a lot, but the skincare was developed with a dermatologist, cruelty-free and excludes a lot of questionable ingredients to give customers a clean product, so we’re not mad.

Some of the products that caught our eye are the Skin+Soul Starter Set, the Renewing Body + Hand Wash with Manuka Honey and the Rich Nourishing Body Cream with Shea Butter, but there's so much to keep every music fan on your list moisturized and unbothered this Christmas and beyond. – Ken Hamm

*Black Woman Co-Owned Business

Amber Nicole “My Hair Speaks Volumes” Artwork*

Atlanta-based 3D visual artist Amber Nicole utilizes vinyl records and floral arrangements in her artwork that aims to amplify the beauty in Black women and their natural hair. Combining her passion for music and her appreciation of the natural hair journey, she makes it clear in her work that “black hair makes a statement AND speaks volumes.”

For her 3D art on canvas, she uses actual vinyl 45 RPM records to create one-of-a-kind works. She currently has one original piece available for sale, Jilly From Philly, a visual tribute to Jill Scott that intentionally includes records by Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, The Isley Brothers and more iconic artists as her hair. Once an original piece is sold, only 2D prints are subsequently available (as well as a few apparel items), which are more budget-friendly and easier to obtain from the artist who sells framed and unframed options on her website.

If you're looking for something for the Prince fan who has everything, gifting them Amber Nicole's Purple Forever print would be a great look. Other striking prints that would make dope gifts include Press Play and goldMind, but to be honest you'll probably want to keep them for yourself. – EatsBeatsNLife

*Black Woman-Owned Business

Lyrically Correct*

Get ready to turn up and set it off at all the game nights with family and friends this holiday season and beyond with Lyrically Correct.

Lyrically Correct is a music trivia card game that challenges players to remember the lyrics to hit songs throughout the years. It comes in different versions, including the original 90's & 2000's Hip Hop/R&B edition and expansion packs for Gospel and 60's and 70's Oldies but Goodies. You can purchase the packs separately or in bundles.

The game was designed to be as chill or as lit as players like. Don't be surprised if the whole squad busts out in a sing-along to SWV's "Weak" or gets into a heated debate over who knows Wu-Tang Clan better, it’s all in good fun. Buy now and challenge your friends to come correct – Lyrically Correct, that is. – Ken Hamm

*Black Woman Co-Owned Business

Oasis Soul Scent Co.*

With all the current crazy outside of our doors, Oasis Soul Scent Co. owner Lola Pyne believes that daily self/soul-care rituals are integral to creating and maintaining balance. Her line of luxuriously scented home and body products inspired by soulful music are handmade in Maryland from natural, eco-friendly ingredients.

Get the full at-home spa treatment by starting off with the Shower Aromatherapy Steamers. Then treat yourself to softer, smoother skin while peeling away the madness of the day with their Sugar Cream Body Scrubs. Complete your pampering experience and nourish your skin with fragrant Body Oil. With scents named after songs like "Juicy," "Secret Garden" and "Candy Rain" and artists such as Mint Condition and Maze, these fragrances are a music lovers love lanuguage.

There is an extensive selection of Gift Sets, also called Treat Boxes, that will make gift-giving stress-free. These products from Oasis Soul are so divine that you'll want to get some to gift and keep some for yourself. – EatsBeatsNLife

*Black Woman-Owned Business

Hamilton Cornerstore*

Anthony Hamilton has been serving up soul food of the musical variety for years. But did you know that he was also nice with it in the kitchen? A man of many talents, AHam's next passion after music is food and he's linked up with Chef April Robinson to create Hamilton Cornerstore, which they are launching with their signature grits.

Available in White Quick Grits and White Old Fashioned Grits varieties, Hamilton and Chef Robinson boast that these are the creamiest grits ever. The vegan and gluten-free grits come packaged in a keepsake linen pouch, making them perfect for gift-giving to the soul foodie on your list.

This is just the beginning for Hamilton Cornerstore with plans to expand to other food items including spices, hot sauce, marinades and more kitchen staples. Bon appétit! – Butta

*Black Woman Co-Owned Business

Black Music Literature

This year, we’ve been spoiled with a variety of books that are for the culture. These titles show Black excellence of yesterday and today while inspiring our future and make the perfect gifts for music heads.

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ve heard about Will Smith’s autobiography Will. While some of us have heard quite enough about the Smith household, there are still some gems the rapper-turnt-actor has shared about his personal journey to fame. Speaking of musical history, Questlove released his latest book Music is History. In it, The Roots drummer takes us on a journey looking at the impact and hidden connections of music. Music and dance are woven together and take centerstage in the Dance Theatre Of Harlem coffee table book by Judy Tyrus and Paul Novosel. See how the creators of the legendary dance troupe made ballet Black and beautiful. Author Malik Sickstein makes his debut as a children's book author with the picture book I Grab The Mic about overcoming stage fright with a hip-hop twist featuring illustrations by artist Paige Mason

Whether you have serious bibliophiles or casual readers on your gift list, you can't go wrong with a good book. And even if they never crack it open, it will look dope on their coffee table. – Ken Hamm

- Advertisement -

You May Also Like

SoulBounce