Search - :: Hempstead High

Young rappers have always been regarded with a cautious eye. Sure, rap has always been the music of urban youth, and to hear a dope underage MC rip the mic is always a joy. But when a young mic wielder starts rapping hardcore about drugs, guns, and stunts, it can border on the ridiculous. And, like child actors, young rappers always face their biggest challenge when they get ready to make the shift from youngster to adult--just ask Native Tongue sidekick Chi-Ali or Kris Kross. A+ jumped on the scene when he was only 13 and immediately made waves with his debut platter, The Latch-Key Child. With his sophomore effort, A+, now 16, keeps the thematics light and largely goes for a good-time party atmosphere mixed with bits of standard braggadocio. "Up Top New York" features the Lost Boyz' Mr. Cheeks, Canibus pops up on "Boys II Men," Erykah Badu guests on "Understand the Game," and "Watcha Weigh Me," a dark entry (and one of the album's stronger tracks), features MJG. Hempstead High is pleasant enough, brimming with solid rhyme delivery and a few funky beats, but there's ultimately just not that much to it. --Spencer Abbott