A+
Birth nameAndre Levins
Also known asA+, Young Plus
Born (1981-08-29) August 29, 1981
OriginHempstead, New York, U.S.
GenresHip hop
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1995–present
LabelsKedar Entertainment
UMVD Labels
Masta Mix Records
Assdroknot Entertainment
FochFam
Moneyline Records
Websitemyspace.com/youngplus

Andre Levins, also known as A+ (born August 29, 1981,[1] Hempstead, New York) is an American rapper. As a teenager he released albums in 1996 and in 1999.

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 14, A+ released his first album, The Latch-Key Child, which featured contributions from Prodigy 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 US Hot 100[4] for three weeks,)[5] and was also commercially successful in Germany and Japan.[7]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
US R&B/HH
[10]		 US
Heat.
[11]
1996 The Latch-Key Child 36 17
1999 Hempstead High 60 19

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[4]		 US R&B/HH
[12]		 AUS
[13]		 UK
[9]
1996 "All I See"
66
29
—
—
 The Latch-Key Child
1999 "Enjoy Yourself"
63
50
26
5
 Hempstead High

References

  1. ↑ Mills, Brad. "A+ - Biography". Allmusic (Rovi Corporation). Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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. 1 2 3 "A+ Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  5. 1 2 Top Pop Singles 1955-1999. Joel Whitburn. 2000. Record Research Inc. p. 3. ISBN 0-89820-139-X
  6. 1 2 Conaway, Matt. "Hempstead High - Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  7. 1 2 Nathan, David (1998-12-19). "A+ Makes Grade at Hempstead". Billboard. 110 (51): 23. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  8. ↑ Kim, Hyun (February 1999). "Revolutions". Vibe. Vol. 7, no. 1. Time Inc. p. 139. ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved 2010-01-20.
  9. 1 2 "A: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "A+ Chart History: Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  11. ↑ "A+ Chart History: Top Heatseekers". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  12. ↑ "A+ Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  13. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 6.
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