Customer Reviews

Latch-Key Child

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

this album is definitely a classic, it's too bad that he wasn't seen for what he was, this album should have never binn slept on, and it's not too late to buy it now. u won't be disappointed.

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.

I just want everyone to know that this CD is the bomb. I remember hearing about A+ back in the day, but never bought the CD. I caught a glimpse of the video All I See and fell in love with the song. back then I had a VCR and would tape all my favorite videos and replay them over and over. One day this song All I See came on and I was able to tape the last minute of the song. I was blown away by this young man's ability to rap so well. I was also blown away by the young lady in the video. I have to give mad props to this young lady. Oh My God, this girl can really sing. Her voice is so amazing, strong and clear. i wonder if she ever came out with a CD. Anyway, if you don't have this CD "Latch Key Child, then I would highly suggest that you get it. I have alreay placed an order for 2 more CD's and the vinyl to Latch Key Child. This is how much I love this CD. Like the rest of the comments, I don't know why they slept on this kid. He rapped better than the artists of today. I hope he comes out with something else in the future.

I first purchased this at the age of 10 or 11...I was so stoked to hear his music. A+ sounds better even on his first album here than rapper of today. I'm looking forward to his return (new single is hot) and even in 2010, this album is one that you can put on the CD player/mp3 player and listen too from start to end.

I still remember in 1998, I had this album on casset! It wasn't easy to get a copy in South Africa, so I looked after the tape and played it until it broke. Now 9 years later, I'm so excited to buy this CD, and it feels like I'm hearing the tunes for the first time thats how fresh A+ is on the disc! A+ is a monster on this album, thats why he's blessed by cameos from Mobb Deep to Q-Tip. If I loose this copy, I'll definetly buy another one!

this album right here is solid, and you would think for a kid his age this album would be equipped with puffy style beats,nope,hot street rugged beats,and this kid is lyrical,don't sleep,but its too bad he didn't get the buzz he deserved,my favorite tracks are gusto (produced by Miladon,don't know who he is but did a good job,you would think that havoc made this beat,featuring prodigy),and alpha 2 omega (hot beat).recommended for fans of east coast hip hop and 90's hip hop.

Is the most Gangsta little kid when he was young F... the Haters I love this album especially the song All I see and the song he has with Prodigy good solid East Coast Album