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'My Christmas Bells': DJ Doc & Spyder D's Christmas EP

'My Christmas Bells': DJ Doc & Spyder D's Christmas EP

Published Thu, December 22, 2022 at 12:00 PM EST

In 1987, B-Boy Records released a Christmas EP titled MY CHRISTMAS BELLS, credited to Elf Elf & Dok-im. The song and EP remained very much underground, but DJs picked up on the fact that the track was based on LL COOL J's 1985 classic "Rock The Bells."

"Rock The Bells" was a single from LL's debut album Radio, but an instrumental version was never released. "My Christmas Bells" contained an instrumental version which was almost identical to "Rock The Bells." Legendary producer and engineer Ivan "DJ Doc" Rodriguez told ROCK THE BELLS that he not only produced and engineered the EP, but he was also behind the elf like voices of both Elf Elf and Dok-im.

"I was in Power Play [Studios], putting together my own instrumentals of 'Rock The Bells' and 'I Know You Got Soul' from scratch. Those are all sounds played individually, no loops," he explained. "I was in the B Room in Power Play Studios on comp time, when Spyder-D walked in and felt the tracks were tough. He then mentioned to me that he had lyrics to a Christmas song that would go well atop my tracks."

Doc shared that Spyder D was still contractually obligated to Profile Records, and wasn't able to record the vocals that he had written.

"I set up a mic for him but he stated that he couldn't do the track due to his commitment with Profile Records," he remembered. "He then suggested I do the vocals; I was surprised he asked me to do them, but I agreed to. I believe I finished the song in one take with one punch between each verse. It was difficult because of how loud and strong the delivery needed to be, but it turned out well—considering I am not a rapper. I mixed one version with my natural voice and I mixed one with my delivery in elf voices."

quotes
The idea was mine to call ourselves 'Elf Elf and Dok-im.' It was paying homage to the pioneers - LL and Rakim."

- DJ Doc

The graffiti-styled artwork for My Christmas Bells was done in the tradition of other B-Boy Records releases, like "Kickin' Live Productions" by The Brothers and Sparky D's World. "A young man from our circle named Kevin Perez from Amsterdam Houses did the cover art. He had ridiculous skills, he also did graf on the walls of The Roxy."

The cover contained two B Boy Elves performing onstage, decked in dookie rope chains, sneakers and four finger rings, underneath traditional graffiti lettering.

Doc says that he and Spyder cut a quick deal with B-Boy, and the song was in rotation by that Christmas.

"It was a fun project," he said. "I even did a video for a local cable station. Im sure that its still floating around out there." He wasn't initially aware that DJs were using the record as an unofficial "Rock The Bells" instrumental, but Doc says that he is flattered.

"I am flattered, as with all the projects I partake in I do my best to get the production to its highest possible standard." Doc and Spyder both did a great deal of work with B-Boy Records, with Doc engineering and mixing the legendary Criminal Minded album by Boogie Down Productions and Spyder releasing his own singles, compilations and producing Sparky D's B Boy Records releases.

DJ Doc Dj Doc

DJ Doc

My Christmas Bells also contained "Who Needs Drums?" which was credited to Elf Elf & Dok-im as well as "Funky Fresh Christmas" by The Busy Boys and "Happy Holiday" by Prince G and The Clever MCs. Although this compilation isn't one of the more well known Christmas rap projects, it contains the signature organic sample based production that B-Boy Records is known for, and DJ Doc unknowingly provided DJs with a powerful tool for their arsenals.

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