Latch-Key Child

A+ | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 27, 1996)
• Original Release Date: August 27, 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B000005AXQ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,581 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great album from a definite prodigy, December 2, 2006

By 

ctrx ('bout to show you how the EAST COAST rocks...) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Latch-Key Child (Audio CD)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A CLASSIC ALBUM!, September 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Latch-Key Child (Audio CD)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Alarm Clock Just Went Off, May 10, 2007

By 

N. Sparks (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Latch-Key Child (Audio CD)

I just woke up from sleeping on this album. I just purchased this album a few weeks ago. This album is crazy. I miss the 90's hip-hop. It has that gutter NY sound that I love. Great album. I can listen to just about every song. Definitely worth the purchase. Classic material. Does not sound like a young teenager. Lyrics are on point. sound like a young AZ and Nas.