Hempstead High | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | February 23, 1999 | |||
Recorded | 1997–1998 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 53:52 | |||
Label | Universal | |||
Producer |
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A+ chronology | ||||
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Singles from Hempstead High | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Entertainment Weekly | C− [2] |
RapReviews | 7/10 [3] |
St. Petersburg Times | C [4] |
Hempstead High is the second studio album by American rapper A+. [5] It was released in 1999 through Kedar Entertainment/Universal Records. [6] Recording sessions took place at Unique Recording Studios and Battery Studios in New York and at Urban House Studios, Inc. in Houston. Production was handled by Bink!, DJ Clark Kent, Lil' Shawn, Mo-Suave-A, Smith Brothers Entertainment and Ty Fyffe, with Kedar Massenburg serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Canibus, Cardan, Chico DeBarge, Erykah Badu, MJG, Psycho Drama and the Lost Boyz. The album peaked at #60 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and #19 on the Top Heatseekers in the United States, and at number 72 in the Netherlands.
Vibe thought that A+ "can't decide whether he's a hardcore man or a playful youth on his understated sophomore album". [7] The Plain Dealer wrote: "By the time the disc reaches the scary 'Staggering and Stuttering' with Psycho Drama, A+ establishes his versatility and assured, confident flow". [8]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Intro (Classroom)" (featuring Lawrence Page) | Smith Bros. Entertainment | 1:51 | |
2. | "Enjoy Yourself" | Sugarless | 3:38 | |
3. | "Up Top New York" (featuring Mr. Cheeks) |
| Bink! | 4:56 |
4. | "Gotta Have It" |
| DJ Clark Kent | 4:09 |
5. | "Boyz 2 Men" (featuring the Lost Boyz and Canibus) |
| Bink! | 3:54 |
6. | "Watcha Weigh Me" (featuring MJG) | Mo-Suave-A Productions | 4:11 | |
7. | "Understand the Game" (featuring Erykah Badu) |
| Bink! | 3:48 |
8. | "Don't Make Me Wait" |
| Little Shawn | 3:57 |
9. | "Interlude - The Score" | Smith Bros. Entertainment | 1:09 | |
10. | "It's on You" (featuring Chico DeBarge) |
| Smith Bros. Entertainment | 4:31 |
11. | "What the Deal" (featuring Cardan) |
| Bink! | 3:37 |
12. | "Price of Fame" |
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| 3:35 |
13. | "Staggering and Stuttering" (featuring Psycho Drama) |
| Mo-Suave-A Productions | 5:18 |
14. | "Parkside Gardens" |
| Bink! | 5:18 |
Total length: | 53:52 |
Chart (1999) | Peak position |
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Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) [9] | 72 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [10] | 60 |
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) [11] | 19 |
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