Chapter 103: "Bloody Christmas" - A Reckoning in Rhyme
Date: December 10th, 2002
The anticipation surrounding Holmes's response to the criticism had reached a fever pitch. On December 10th, he unleashed his fury with a diss track titled "Bloody Christmas," a scathing and brutally honest response to his detractors.
- A Musical Barrage: The track was released online and on mixtapes, quickly spreading throughout the hip-hop world.
Lyrics of "Bloody Christmas":
The lyrics were a ruthless barrage of insults and threats, delivered with Holmes's signature flow and lyrical prowess.
- Holmes (rapping):
hello motherfucker
my name is
holmes Alister Calvin Williams
this is a game you lose all right
"Yo, this ain't no Christmas carol, this is a f**kin' funeral,
For all you envious snakes, feelin' delusional.
Ja Rule, you a has-been, clingin' to the past,
Your career's deader than Grimm, ain't nothin' gonna last.
Benzino, you think I sold my soul? Nah, I'm the devil himself,
If you don't shut your mouth, I'll devour you myself.
Lord Jamar, you a conspiracy theorist, lost in the sauce,
Your rhymes are ancient, your opinions exhausted.
And to all you critics, hatin' from the sidelines,
You ain't got the talent, you ain't got the lifelines.
I'm a madman, a monster, a force of nature,
And if I ever see Ja, 'Zino, or Jamar in Chicago, well,
I'm pullin' the Glock and endin' their clock, in a metaphorical way of course ."
*"Shout out to Em and 50, the big bros I never had,
Thank you for the loyalty, you Thank you for the loyalty, you always making me glad.*"
"And to myself, for being soft now I'm gonna be hard. this is my last warning for all of u, be aware of your next step"
Release Procedures:
- Online Release: The track was initially released on underground hip-hop websites and file-sharing networks.
- Mixtapes: It quickly gained traction on mixtapes, spreading through the streets and the underground scene.
- Radio Play: Despite its explicit content, some radio stations began playing the track, albeit with heavy censoring.
Billboard Ranking:
- Debut: "Bloody Christmas" debuted at #50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- Ascent: Within a week, it climbed to #1, becoming Holmes's fastest-rising single to date.
Media Comments and Reviews:
The track received mixed reviews from the media.
- The Source: "Holmes delivers a brutal and unapologetic response to his critics, showcasing his lyrical prowess and cementing his status as a force to be reckoned with."
- Rolling Stone: "While 'Bloody Christmas' is undoubtedly powerful, its violent imagery and explicit language may alienate some listeners."
Famous Stars' Comments:
- Jay-Z: "Holmes is spittin' fire, man. He's not holdin' back."
- Snoop Dogg: "That's my boy, Holmes. He's tellin' it like it is."
Impact of the Diss:
The impact of "Bloody Christmas" was immediate and far-reaching.
- Embarrassment: Ja Rule, Benzino, and Lord Jamar were publicly humiliated, their reputations tarnished.
- Backlash: Some criticized Holmes for resorting to violence and negativity.
- Admiration: Others praised him for his honesty and his willingness to stand up for himself.
- Division: The track further divided the hip-hop community, sparking intense debates and discussions.
The chapter ends with Holmes's "Bloody Christmas" serving as a turning point in his career,