OKLAHOMA CITY — As winter settles in and economic pressures tighten across Oklahoma, a familiar community tradition returns with a simple but powerful message: show up for one another. Gift Raps, the annual hip hop benefit concert rooted in collective care, returns Thursday, Dec. 18, at The Blue Note (2408 N. Robinson Ave.). Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is free with the donation of a new, unopened toy or a nonperishable food item.
The event began more than a decade ago as a response to what Jabee, an Oklahoma City hip hop artist, educator, community leader, and philanthropist, saw firsthand across the state during the holiday season.
Turning Music Into Support When Families Need It Most
“Gift Raps was created in 2013 for the hip hop community in Oklahoma. We started by touring the state during the holidays because I saw real needs in our communities,” Jabee said. “I wasn’t in a position to buy 100 turkeys or gifts for families, but I could bring people together. Using a hip hop show as a way to collect donations allowed the community to take care of itself, and that’s what Gift Raps has always been about.”
For many Oklahoma families, the holiday season is less about celebration and more about survival. More than one in seven households in the state faces food insecurity, and over 1.2 million people live in areas with limited access to healthy food. In Oklahoma City alone, nearly 2,000 people experience homelessness on any given night, including families with children. Those realities often intensify as temperatures drop and resources stretch thin.
Community Care Beyond What Systems Provide
That context is why Gift Raps continues to resonate, particularly within Black and marginalized communities where traditions of mutual aid have long filled gaps left by systems that fail to protect everyone equally.
“Coming from the eastside of OKC, mutual aid is something I grew up with,” Jabee said. “My family needed help at times, and we made it because the community showed up. Gift Raps reflects that same spirit, people coming together with what they have, looking out for each other, and making sure nobody gets left behind.”
Built on the belief that hip hop has always been a vehicle for truth-telling, resistance, and collective care, Gift Raps uses culture as a conduit for action. Donations collected at the event help provide essential resources during one of the most difficult times of year.
The emotional weight of hosting a giving-centered event during the holidays is not lost on Jabee.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Christmas is a rough time of year for a lot of families, and there are so many of us struggling. If we can come together and make things a little easier for people, even in a small way, that’s something we want to do.”
A Lineup With Purpose and a Mission Beyond the Stage
This year’s lineup includes performances by Jabee, Draco, Cortney Lachelle, Trevo, Maiguy, and DJ Nymasis. Jabee, who is headlining the show, was recently named a 46th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award honoree, recognizing his lasting cultural impact and commitment to Oklahoma’s creative and civic life.
The event is presented in partnership with OK City Center, a local organization serving neighbors experiencing hardship through hot meals, food access, clothing, hygiene supplies, youth programming, and direct support for people facing homelessness and economic insecurity.
More than a concert, Gift Raps is a reminder of what community looks like in practice. Attendees are invited to bring a donation, share space, and take part in an evening that blends culture, compassion, and care — proving once again that in Oklahoma, hip hop doesn’t just entertain. It shows up.