Santa Claus Is a Black Man

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"Santa Claus Is a Black Man" is a Christmas song by record producer and songwriter Teddy Vann, performed by his daughter Akim Vann (billed as Akim) and his Teddy Vann Production Company for a 1973 single. The song, described as "Vann's take on 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus'", has been called a cult classic, and continues to receive Christmas airplay. [1]

The elder Vann wrote the song as a Christmas gift for Akim, then five years old, who performs vocals on the recording. A soul song, the lyrics describe Akim happening upon her mother and Santa Claus dancing, noting Santa's curious resemblance to her father. [1] The elder Vann was active in mentoring children, and intended the song to provide positive imagery and empowerment for young African-Americans; [1] the song also makes reference to the Kwanzaa holiday, which the elder Vann was active in promoting in his native Brooklyn. [1]

Vann would later become better known for co-writing "Power of Love/Love Power" with Luther Vandross in 1991, for which he won a Grammy Award. [1] [2]

Film director John Waters included the song on his 2004 Christmas music collection, A John Waters Christmas , despite the wishes of the elder Vann, who rejected Waters's request because the auteur "is not considered mainstream". [2] Vann filed suit against Waters for using the song without permission. [2]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Desmond-Harris, Jenée (25 December 2012). "'Santa Claus Is a Black Man' Singer, Grown-Up". The Root . Retrieved 15 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Marzulli, John (24 November 2008). "Brooklyn songwriter muddies John Waters". New York Daily News . Retrieved 15 December 2013.
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