FAST FIVE: January 2024
If you’ve ever picked up a copy of Midnight Donuts zine, you know that one of our staples is the “FAST FIVE,” a collection of five mini-reviews for recent Christian hip-hop releases.
In 2025, we’re launching monthly FAST FIVE installments here on the newsletter! Check it out below.
Joshua Luke Smith - Liberated
November 15, 2024
Written by
British artist Joshua Luke Smith recently released his album Liberated. I heard a lot of hype about it, but only recently listened. He has a really smooth, organic production style. Almost worship music -esque at times (the good kind of worship music, not the lame kind), but leaning very much into a cinematic boom-bap style overall. (Kind of reminds me of some of the stuff I’ve heard from Little Simz.)
Features include Madison Ryann Ward, John Mark McMillan, and Sarah Juers. Joshua Luke Smith’s ability to seamlessly weave sung elements into his songwriting is impressive. One of the first times I remember seeing reference to Smith was when he performed at Hutchmoot conference, which is rare for a rapper. He also made Gospel Coalition's best albums of 2024 list—also rare for a rapper. This album is absolutely worth your time.
Jeremiah Bligen - The Flames Will Not Consume You
December 13, 2024
Written by
One of the most excellent and edifying albums I've heard in a long time. Jeremiah Bligen been releasing singles for The Flames Will Not Consume You since 2022 (we played one on the very first episode of DINO NUGGETS!) and the long process of crafting the album really paid off. It's musically excellent and lyrically has a ton to offer. The sequence of "Sunrise" - "Sunset" - "Sunset Reprise" - "Remains" is just incredible, and could be an album in its own right. It felt like a raw, honest saga from the Christian life. Everything I want Christian music to be, in a sense? (Another respected CHH journalist told me that TFWNCY could have landed on his best albums of the year list based on the strength of "Remains" alone.) One of those rare moments where I was listening to new music while doing something else, and the music almost stopped me in my tracks.
Procyse & Dave A. - Unapologetic
January 10, 2025
Written by Eric Boston of
Procyse and Dave A. pull zero punches when it comes to delivering the message of the Gospel.
Unapologetic is one of the most anticipated early releases of 2025 within the faith-based hip-hop scene. With the buzz of the singles, “You’re Not Free” and “Round and Round” in late 2024, Pro’ and Dave A. have already proven to fans the high-level music the duo is capable of. Remaining true to their boom-bap roots, Unapologetic builds on the rich history of the hip-hop genre and infuses its captivating elements with the truth of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Overall, Unapologetic is more than a rap project for listeners to enjoy. It is a call to action to make the change you want to see. Pro’ and Dave A. encourage anyone who listens to be bold in addressing issues many turn a blind eye to.
Francis Arevalo - Room to Grow
January 24, 2025
Written by
Newselph is one of the best smooth boom-bap producers making beats today, so when I saw that he produced an EP for Canadian emcee Francis Arevalo I had to check it out. I was not disappointed. Arevalo employs an effortless, laid-back flow that meshes perfectly with Newselph’s production. Honestly, this may be my favorite work I’ve heard from Newselph for that reason. It’s a perfect collaboration. “Working with Newselph felt like growing alongside each other through each part of the process to make sure every idea fit with the other as the project took shape,” the rapper said on the description for the release on Bandcamp.
Room to Grow is the perfect collection of songs for a short drive/walk when you can decide if you want to catch every bar or just vibe out. According to Arevalo’s Bandcamp page, this EP is the lead release from his next album.
(PS- For those unfamiliar with Newselph’s work, I would recommend checking out his remix album for Illect Recordings, If It Ain't Broke, Remix It!)
99 APEX - Inner Exodus
January 31, 2025
Written by Justin Sarachik
The story of Inner Exodus tells about God's deliverance from the imprisoned mind of an upcoming artist. Throughout the project 99 APEX shares his struggles with mental health as an artist, career-wise and personally. Through it all, the Lord uses his experiences to impart moral themes and lessons to 99 APEX and many others. This album is a documentation of his life when he was going through and coming out of a season of depression. Ultimately, this project is a testament to people in the arts that God can deliver you from your doubts in your career and life. It also encourages that God did not give those talents or desires for no reason.
