Jingle bell rap

Three nights of hip-hop and good charity

The Gift Raps Christmas hip-hop event was started four years ago in Oklahoma City by rapper Jabee. Each Christmas, the hosts select a local charity and hold a concert featuring a group of hip-hop artists who donate their time to raise money and collect tangible donations.

This year, Gift Raps 4 will feature performers from Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, and will take place over the course of three nights in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and El Reno. In past years, the event has donated to organizations like John 3:16 and Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS).

Gabie Castañeda, one of the event’s organizers, selected the local nonprofit PEARLS (Phenomenal Extraordinary Admirable Radiant Ladies) this year. PEARLS collects new and gently used uniforms and clothing for pre-K to high school students. Castañeda has seen the need for these items up close in Tulsa.

“When I used to teach at Langston, I saw a lot of parents struggling to afford the cost of new uniforms,” she said. “Especially for families with several kids who are growing so quickly, it can be a real burden. A lot of schools out north are uniform based. So it was nice to see a group working to do something for those kids.”

PEARLS founder Sonya Renee will be present at the event to accept cash donations or any gently used uniforms, white shirts, polos, khakis, socks, shoes, belts, and other basic school clothing items people bring to donate.

The Yeti lineup includes: Kode Ransom, Fly Mecha, Bezel365, Marcel P. Black, Mr. Burns, Trip G., St. Domonick, and Steph Simon. Soundpony lineup includes Ron Ron, Written Quincy, and Jabee. DJ Ali Shaw & DJ Heavy J will also be at the event.

Gift Raps is free to enter, but donations are encouraged.