It’s never too early to start planning for the holidays. Just ask Mariah Carey. The Queen Of Christmas isn’t the only one excited for the season to begin, however. EGOT and daytime TV diva Jennifer Hudson has entered the holiday chat with news that she’ll soon release her first-ever Christmas album, The Gift Of Love, in a brand-new deal with Interscope Records.
While prepping for the season three premiere of The Jennifer Hudson Show on Monday, September 16th, JHud shared a video on Instagram of her driving to her new label’s offices to sign her major record deal. She was having a praise party as she navigated through L.A. traffic while Hezekiah Walker’s “Every Praise” played faintly on the car stereo. “I’m very excited. It’s a beautiful day. It’s what I worked my whole life for. It’s a special, special day, and I thank God,” Jennifer said of her latest power move. She also teased in the caption, “The music is coming!!!”
As it turns out, music is coming quick-fast from Hudson who’ll make her Interscope debut with The Gift Of Love next month. The album is already recorded, locked and loaded and boasts production by Ryan Tedder, David Foster, Greg Phillinganes, Kirk Franklin, James Poyser, Fede Vindver and Peer Åström. The 15-song collection will include a combination of yuletide standards and festive originals.
Holiday music fans can look forward to Jennifer’s soulful renditions of “Winter Wonderland,” “Carol Of The Bells” featuring South African quintet The Joy, “My Favorite Things,” “Jingle Bells” and “The Christmas Song,” to name a few covers she’ll add her sugar and spice to. JHud’s sweetheart Common will join her on “Almost Christmas,” one of the set’s original numbers. This collaboration comes after Hudson lent her vocals to the track “A GOD (There Is)” from Com’s joint album with Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1.
Get ready to receive Jennifer Hudson’s The Gift Of Love when the album arrives on Friday, October 18th. View the gorgeous cover art and full tracklist below. The Gift Of Love is currently available to pre-save/pre-add on streaming services. For those who’d like physical copies for gift giving, vinyl records and CDs may be pre-ordered directly from Jennifer Hudson’s website.
Jennifer Hudson The Gift Of Love tracklist:
1. Hallelujah
2. Winter Wonderland
3. Carol of the Bells feat. The Joy
4. Find The Love
5. O Holy Night
6. Make It To Christmas
7. Santa To Someone
8. My Favorite Things
9. Little Drummer Boy
10. Go Tell It On The Mountain
11. Almost Christmas feat. Common
12. Jingle Bells (Prelude)
13. Jingle Bells
14. The Christmas Song
15. Auld Lang Syne
