A+

A+ entered the hip-hop arena holding several distinct advantages. Among the youngest emcees to gain genuine respect from veteran peers, he was widely regarded as holding strong long-term promise. Once his debut album appeared, a featured verse alongside the Lost Boyz, Canibus, and Redman on “Beasts From the East” reinforced his standing as a capable lyricist. The follow-up project Hempstead High shifted toward a more commercial sound, which some believed cost him a measure of street credibility.