Search - A+ :: Latch-Key Child

Great album from a definite prodigy

ctrx | 'bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks... | 12/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 1996, 13-year-old A+ took the hip hop world by storm with this great debut, "The Latch-Key Child." The Hempstead, Long Island native had barely entered his teenage years but commanded great respect on the mic, displaying a hard, intelligent style fitting of the grimy New York underground scene. A+ asserts himself lyrically, and he also tells stories, speaks of his growing up, and makes a few catchier tracks aimed for the mainstream. You will not believe that this great rapper is only 13, he is so intelligent and hardened, and he is not constrained by profanities. While there are no big-name producers, the production is consistently outstanding, always matching his lyricism. There are a few club/party songs, each produced very well, but the rest of the songs have a very grimy, underground sound to them. A+ is also aided by an awesome crew of guest rappers, including Q-Tip, Prodigy, and AZ, three of NYC's best. "The Latch-Key Child" is a really awesome album and another that is shamefully slept-on and overlooked.



The album begins with a good intro that gives way to "Move On," an awesome track. The chorus which begins it has a great, mournful vocal sample, and the beat is perfect. A+ really comes correct, showing his young intelligence and spitting some raw philosophy unbelievable for a 13-year-old. "Me & My Microphone" has a great concept, A+ tells the story of how he came into rapping like the microphone was a girl he met, and Q-Tip sings the chorus. This great beat would later be used by Nas for his song "Getting Married." "All I See" is a little more mainstream than most of the songs on this album, speaking of a teenage love, but it is well executed. "Gusto" is awesome, a hard-hitting, depressed collaboration with Mobb Deep's Prodigy. Starting with a good hook from P, the duo tells stories of poverty in New York over a fitting beat. "Hard Times" continues in the same vein, with another outstanding beat. "A+Z" is the best song on the album, a classic. Hearing A+ rap with legend AZ is really cool because their voices and flows are so similar. When they trade verses, A+ sounds like a younger AZ. The beat is the best on the album, laced with thumping bass and a nice piano line. "Wanna Be Rich" is another strong cut lyrically, and "My Thing" has great production. I love the joyful sounding production on "Party Joint," and A+ MCs the banger in an unbelievable way for a young teen. "Alpha 2 Omega" closes the album well, A+ promising longevity and quality in a rap career.



"The Latch-Key Child" is such a great album, lyrically and musically it really produces. A+ found trouble sustaining a steady rap career, but he is by far the best young teenage rapper I have ever heard, and he really holds his own like a seasoned underground rapper on this debut. I recommend this highly to fans of 90s New York artists like Nas, AZ, Mobb Deep, and the likes. "The Latch-Key Child" is out of print today, but if you can, definitely pick it up, it's an awesome release from a truly gifted rapper."

A CLASSIC ALBUM!

ctrx | 09/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yo I just had to give A+ his props, shorty can flow! I can't believe how people slept on this album!! Well I'm here to let all y'all know 5 years later that y'all need to WAKE UP and buy this album. It is tight from beginning to end, from intro to outro!! On "me, myself, and my microphone" A+ displays his raw talent, and the unforgettable song "All I See" which is my favorite song... For y'all who don't know and slept on this kid, once again --WAKE UP AND BUY THIS ALBUM! I guarantee that you're gonna get ALL your money's worth. And that's 110% guaranteed."

Get off the sealy posturpedic

N. Sparks | 04/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is great, especially if you like breaks & beats. A+ rhyming is smooth and mellow, despite his sometimes violent and tragic subject matter. He talks about people dying of gunshot wounds just as casually as he mentions going out on a date. The real strength of the album is A's smoothness over tight bass lines and beats, laced with some understated vocal or instrumental tracks. Those familiar with mid to late '90s NYC rap will instantly recognize the subtle uses of piano riffs, wind chimes, dogs barking, etc., for maximum effect. Wake up sleepy heads."