On Christmas Eve 2025, fans of Chance the Rapper and Jeremih received a festive surprise when the Chicago-born artists released Secret Santa, a five-track holiday-themed EP that brought fresh energy to the seasonal music landscape. By the time Christmas Day arrived, the project had already made waves across streaming platforms and social media, with listeners embracing the duo’s continued tradition of blending heartfelt lyricism and soulful melodies into holiday celebrations.
This latest collaboration marks the fourth holiday-themed project between the two artists, who first began their seasonal musical partnership in 2016 with the release of Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama. That initial offering, a lo-fi, genre-crossing mixtape filled with holiday spirit and community-conscious lyrics, resonated widely and has since become a cult favorite. It set the tone for subsequent releases in 2017 and 2020, each building on the original’s warm, quirky tone. With Secret Santa, Chance and Jeremih have expanded their holiday legacy, offering a more polished, yet equally heartfelt, collection of songs that reflect both the joy and complexity of the season.
The five tracks on Secret Santa present a range of moods and styles. From upbeat, energetic tracks that celebrate the spirit of giving and familial connection, to slower, more contemplative songs that touch on themes of love, faith, and introspection, the EP reflects the duo’s evolving artistry. Chance the Rapper brings his signature lyricism and rhythmic inventiveness to the project, pairing seamlessly with Jeremih’s velvety vocals and R&B-infused harmonies. Together, their chemistry continues to stand out as one of the most effective collaborations in contemporary holiday music.
Much of the appeal of Secret Santa lies in its ability to blend traditional Christmas themes with modern sensibilities. While some holiday albums lean heavily on covers or nostalgic sounds, this project presents original content that feels rooted in the present moment. The lyrics nod to contemporary life, relationships, and personal growth, while still carrying the festive undertones expected from a Christmas release. In doing so, Chance and Jeremih have managed to craft a project that feels both timeless and timely, capable of resonating with a wide audience beyond typical holiday listeners.
The surprise nature of the release added to its impact. Without major promotional build-up, Secret Santa arrived quietly on Christmas Eve, generating buzz purely through word-of-mouth and organic social media sharing. Fans woke up on Christmas morning to discover the new EP, and the excitement was immediate. Posts sharing song clips, lyrics, and reactions flooded platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), helping the project trend throughout the day and reach listeners who might otherwise have missed it.
This latest musical gift came during a high-profile year for both artists. Chance the Rapper returned to the spotlight earlier in 2025 with the release of Star Line, his first full-length album since 2019. The project marked a significant artistic step forward, with critics praising its lyrical depth and musical experimentation. He followed the album with a national tour that reconnected him with fans and reaffirmed his place in the contemporary hip-hop landscape. Jeremih, meanwhile, had remained relatively quiet in recent years, focusing on personal growth and recovery following a serious bout with COVID-19 in 2020. His return to music with Secret Santa was warmly welcomed, signaling a potential reemergence for the versatile R&B artist.
The impact of Secret Santa also extended into the community. In conjunction with the EP’s release, Chance the Rapper announced a holiday-themed event in Chicago called the “Day After Christmas AfterParty,” with proceeds supporting his nonprofit organization SocialWorks. The initiative reflects Chance’s long-standing commitment to uplifting his hometown and using his platform to foster educational and artistic opportunities for local youth. Tying the musical release to a charitable effort reinforced the EP’s themes of generosity, family, and community support—key pillars of the holiday season.
What makes Chance and Jeremih’s holiday projects especially resonant is their authenticity. Rather than merely capitalizing on the festive season, their music offers a genuine reflection of what Christmas can feel like in urban America—full of joy, nostalgia, struggle, and celebration. The tracks embrace holiday imagery without relying on clichés, offering a more grounded and emotionally textured take on what it means to gather, reflect, and move forward as the year ends.
As Secret Santa continues to gain listeners, it adds another chapter to a growing body of holiday music that speaks to a new generation. While the EP is relatively short in length, its impact is significant, blending musical excellence with seasonal warmth. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, the project offers both a joyful soundtrack for holiday festivities and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together.
With this surprise release, Chance the Rapper and Jeremih have once again proven that holiday music can be innovative, soulful, and socially conscious. Secret Santa not only enriches their individual discographies but also enhances the evolving canon of modern Christmas music, offering a refreshing, heartfelt addition to the season’s soundscape.
