Justin Bieber | "Under The Mistletoe"

Between last year's breakout release "My World 2.0" and next year's sure-to-be-huge follow-up album, Justin Bieber has headed home for the holidays (with some very special guests) for his first Christmas release, "Under The Mistletoe." The R&B-heavy album features a mix of original cuts and holiday classics, as well as collaborations with Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Usher and The Band Perry. However, the Biebs can still command an audience on his own -- first single "Mistletoe" flew into the Top 20 on the Hot 100, and its music video has 27 million views on YouTube. Read our track-by-track review. -- Jason Lipshutz

Young Jeezy Brings Hustlerz Ambition to 'RapFix Live'

The Snowman will join Sway on 'RapFix Live' Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com.

 

It's been almost three years in the making, but on December 20, Young Jeezy will finally be releasing his long-awaited TM: 103 Hustlerz Ambition. And on Wednesday, the Snowman will be coming to "RapFix Live" to chop it up with Sway about his upcoming release. Not only that, but Young has also given RapFix an exclusive clip from the album's accompanying film.

The album boasts appearances from Lil Wayne, T.I., Jill Scott, Snoop Dogg and Devin the Dude. Last week, "I Do," a tongue-in-cheek love song featuring Jay-Z and Andre 3000, hit the Net to rave reviews. On it, Jeezy professes his love for hustling, while Jay cleverly raps about his marriage to the streets, though at times sounds like he is dedicating his bars to wifey Beyoncé.
Next week's edition of "RapFix Live" will also celebrate MTV2's upcoming Sucker Free Awards, as well the return of "Yo! MTV Raps," with a special episode dubbed "Classic Cuts." Both shows will premiere on MTV2 on December 4, and "RapFix Live" has exclusive behind-the-scenes looks.
Held at Miami's Club LIV, the Sucker Free Awards will celebrate the year in hip-hop, giving out statues for Best Crew of 2011, Rookie of the Year and the Must-Follow Person of 2011. Rick Ross, Meek Mill, DJ Khaled, Red Café and Ace Hood were all on hand as well as Birdman and his YMCMB family.
"Yo! MTV Raps: Classic Cuts" will profile three artists and their classic tracks: A Tribe Called Quest's "Scenario," Geto Boys' "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me," and Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day."
The special will feature discussions from former hosts Fab 5 Freddy, Ed Lover and Dr. Dre, as well as some of rap's generational heavyweights. The special will explore the way each song revolutionized the genre and impacted generations to come. In addition to the three classic cuts, the special will also feature a long list of current hip-hop artists from Common to Wiz Khalifa and Fat Joe.

"This Warm December: A Brushfire Christmas, Vol. 2

After its first 2008 compilation struck a chord with listeners, Brushfire Records's second 'Warm December' -- out in time for Thanksgiving -- features original wintertime tunes by the label's eclectic roster. G. Love turns in a pair, as does Jack Johnson, while Money Mark, Matt Costa, ALO and others have one song each. An album bundle, which includes the record digitally and on vinyl plus a 12-card set autographed by Jack Johnson and a six track preview of upcoming Brushfire releases, is available at ThisWarmDecember.com. -- Jessica Letkemann

"A Skaggs Family Christmas, Vol. 2"

Ricky Skaggs and his kin made a country Christmas classic with their 2005 album, and now the clan is back with Volume Two. The new album, which features ten tracks including favorites like "Joy To The World" and "Silent Night," comes with a DVD of the family performing at Nashville's Ryman Auditorum. Skaggs, who was just named Entertainer of the Year and Musician of the Year at the Inspirational Country Music Awards, takes his Family on an eight city Christmas theater tour of the south and midwest between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  -- Jessica Letkemann

Jackie Evancho | "Heavenly Christmas"

The age-defying vocals of 11-year-old sensation Jackie Evancho have an almost magical quality. When the "America's Got Talent" star performed at the lighting of Washington, D.C.'s national Christmas tree last year, her age-defying soprano reportedly caused rival Democrats and Republicans to lock arms and harmonize through "O Holy Night." While this may or may not be true, there's plenty of reason to expect big things from Evancho's latest collection of classic Christmas renditions. Last year's "O Holy Night" EP helped make her the year's top-selling debut artist, so it's safe to say Justin Bieber won't be the only member of Billboard's "21 Under 21" at the top of charts this Christmas. -- Chris Payne

Carole King | "A Holiday Carole"

Famed singer-songwriter Carol King has been around the musical block, but she just recently dipped her toe into the world of holiday albums with the release of "A Holiday Carole" (get it?). The record, produced by her daughter louise Goffin, features traditional songs ("Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Carol of the Bells," "Sleigh Ride"), as well as original holiday tunes across an array of genres, from jazz to Latin. -- Jillian Mapes

Ginuwine | "A Ginuwine Christmas"

Veteran R&B crooner Ginuwine followed "Elgin," his latest LP released in February, with this Christmas effort released in mid-October. Covers of "Silent Night" and "Joy To the World" are a far cry from Ginuwine's "Pony" days, but "12 Days" puts a seductive contemporary twist on the holiday staple. Who knew "two turtledoves" could sound so sexy? -- Jason Lipshutz