A+ (rapper)

Andre Levins, also known as A+ (born August 29, 1982,[1] Hempstead, New York) is an American rapper. As a teenager he released albums in 1996 and in 1999.

For Adam Carter, see A-Plus (rapper).
A+
Birth nameAndre Levins
Also known asA+, Young Plus
OriginHempstead, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1996–present
LabelsKedar Entertainment
UMVD Labels
Masta Mix Records
Assdroknot Entertainment
FochFam
Moneyline Records
Websitemyspace.com/youngplus

History

A+ began his music career in 1995, after winning a national talent competition sponsored by Def Jam Records.[2] He was the first act signed to Kedar Massenburg's record label, Kedar Entertainment.[2] According to Massenburg, the A+ moniker "means that he's striving for perfection, and he's not really talking about the same things as other young rappers."[2] In 1996, at the age of 13, A+ released his first album, The Latch-Key Child, which featured contributions from Mobb Deep and Q-Tip.[3] "All I See" was chosen as the lead single,[2] and it peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart,[4] staying for 14 weeks.[5]

His second album, Hempstead High, was released in February 1999.[6] Guest appearances on the album included DeBarge, the Lost Boyz and Canibus.[6][7] The single "Enjoy Yourself", which sampled the 1976 Walter Murphy song "A Fifth of Beethoven,"[8] reached the top five of the UK Singles Chart,[9] number 63 of the U.S. Hot 100[4] for three weeks,)[5] and was also commercially successful in Germany and Japan.[7]

Discography

Albums
Year Album Peak chart positions[10]
US Hip-Hop Heatseekers
1996 The Latch-Key Child 36 17
1999 Hempstead High 60 19

Singles
Year Title Peak chart positions
U.S.[4] U.S. R&B[4] UK[9]
1996 "All I See"
66
29
—
1999 "Enjoy Yourself"
63
50
5

References
  1. Mills, Brad. "A+ - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  2. Hopkins, Tracy (1996-06-08). "A+ is a Perfect Score for Kedar". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 108 (23): 19. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  3. Mills, Brad. "Latch-Key Child - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  4. "A+ - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  5. Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Joel Whitburn. 2000. Record Research Inc. p. 3. ISBN 0-89820-139-X
  6. Conaway, Matt. "Hempstead High - Review". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  7. Nathan, David (1998-12-19). "A+ Makes Grade at Hempstead". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 110 (51): 23. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  8. Kim, Hyun (February 1999). "Revoutions". Vibe. Vol. 7 no. 1. Time Inc. p. 139. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  9. "A: Artist Chart History". Official Charts History. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  10. "A+ - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
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