MC Hammer | |
|---|---|
.jpg) MC Hammer in 2010 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as |
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| Born | Stanley Kirk Burrell (1962-03-30)March 30, 1962 (age 63) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1973–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1981–1984 |
| Rank | Petty Officer Third Class |
| Unit | VP-47 |
Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), better known by his stage nameMC Hammer (or simplyHammer), is an American rapper known for hit songs such as "U Can't Touch This", "2 Legit 2 Quit", and "Pumps and a Bump", flashy dance movements, extravagantchoreography, and his namesakeHammer pants.[2] Remembered for a rapid rise to fame, Hammer has also been anentrepreneur[3][4] and celebrityspokesperson.[5][6] A multi-award winner, he is considered a "forefather" and pioneering innovator[7] ofpop rap (incorporating elements offreestyle music).
Born and raised inOakland, California, Hammer served three years in theUnited States Navy before independently releasing his debut albumFeel My Power in 1986. After signing a contract withCapitol Records, Hammer released his second albumLet's Get It Started in 1988, which became his first multi-platinum hit. Hammer became the first hip hop artist to achievediamond status with his next albumPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (1990), helping him become one of the most prominent media celebrities of the early 1990s.[8][9][10] After being labeled asellout by the changing landscape ofhip hop music which led to declining record sales for his fourth album,Too Legit To Quit (1991), Hammer unsuccessfully attempted to appeal to the rise ofgangsta rap with his next album,The Funky Headhunter (1994).[11] However, due to commercial overexposure,[12] Hammer's popularity waned by the mid-1990s, which led to ahighly publicized bankruptcy beginning in 1996.[13] He has since released five more albums.
Along with aMattel doll and other merchandise, Hammer starred in aSaturday-morning cartoon calledHammerman in 1991. He became anordainedpreacher during the late 1990s and hostedMC Hammer and Friends, aChristian ministry program onTBN. Hammer was also a dance judge onDance Fever in 2003, was the co-creator of the dance website DanceJam.com,[14][15] and was executive producer of his ownreality show titledHammertime (which aired on theA&E Network during the summer of 2009).[16][17]
Throughout his career, Hammer has managed his own recording business as a record label CEO. As a result, Hammer has created and produced his own acts/music including Ho Frat Hoo!,[18]Oaktown's 3.5.7,Special Generation,Analise,DRS,B Angie B,[19] Gentry Kozia[20][21] andOakland Fight Club.[22] A part of additional record labels, he has associated, collaborated and recorded withPsy,[23] VMF,[24]Tupac Shakur,Teddy Riley,Felton Pilate,Tha Dogg Pound,The Whole 9,[25] The Hines Brother,[26]Deion Sanders,Big Daddy Kane,BeBe & CeCe Winans andJon Gibson. Hammer signed withSuge Knight'sDeath Row Records in 1995.[27]
BET ranked Hammer as the No. 7 "Best Dancer of All Time".[28]Vibe's "The Best Rapper Ever Tournament" declared him the 17th favorite of all-time during the first round. He continues to perform concerts at music venues and appears intelevision advertisements,[29][30][31] along with participating in social media and ministry/outreach functions.[32][33] Hammer is also active in community and sports activities,[34][35] being interviewed locally and nationally.[36][37]
Stanley Kirk Burrell was born inOakland, California, on March 30, 1962.[38] His father was a professional poker player and gambling casino manager (atOaks Card Club'scardroom), as well as a warehouse supervisor.[39] Hammer grew up poor with his mother (a secretary) and eight siblings in a small apartment inEast Oakland. He recalled that six children were crammed into a three-bedroom housing project apartment. The Burrells would frequent thoroughbred horse races, eventually becomingowners and winners of severalgraded stakes.[39]
In theOakland Coliseum parking lot, the young Burrell would sell stray baseballs and dance accompanied by abeatboxer.Oakland Athletics team ownerCharlie Finley saw the 11-year-old doing splits and hired Burrell as a clubhouse assistant andbatboy as a result of his energy and flair.[7][40] Burrell served as a "batboy" with the team from 1973 to 1980. In 2010, Hammer discussed his lifelong involvement with athletes onESPN'sFirst Take as well as explained that his brother Louis Burrell Jr. (who would later become Hammer's business manager)[41][42] was actually the batboy while his job was to take calls and do "play-by-plays" for the A's absentee owner during every summer game.[43] The colorful Finley, who lived in Chicago,[7] used the child as his "eyes and ears".[44]Reggie Jackson, in describing Burrell's role for Finley, took credit for his nickname:
Hell, our chief executive, the guy that ran our team, uh, that communicated [with] Charlie Finley, the top man there, was a 13-year-old kid. I nicknamed him "Hammer" because he looked likeHank Aaron [whose nickname was "The Hammer"].[44]
Team players, includingMilwaukee Brewers second basemanPedro García, also dubbed Burrell "Little Hammer" due to his resemblance to Aaron.[7][39] Ron Bergman, at the time anOakland Tribune writer who covered the A's, recalled that: He was an informant in the clubhouse, an informant for Charlie, and he got the nickname "Pipeline".[44] According to Hammer:
Charlie said, "I'm getting you a new hat. I don't want you to have a hat that says "A's" on it. I'm getting you a hat that says 'Ex VP,' that says 'Executive Vice President.' You're running the joint around here." ... Every time I come down to the clubhouse, you know,Rollie would yell out "Oh, everybody be quiet! Here comes Pipeline!"[44]
Burrell acquired the nickname "MC" for being a "master of ceremonies", which he used when he began performing at various clubs while on the road with the A's, and eventually in the military.[7] Hammer, who played second base in high school, dreamed of being a professional baseball player but did not make the final cut at aSan Francisco Giants tryout.[7] However, he has been a participant and a player in the annualTaco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game, wearing an A's cap to represent Oakland (American League).[45][46][47]
Burrell went on to graduate fromMcClymonds High School in Oakland in 1980 and took undergraduate classes in communications. Discouraged by his studies at a local college and failing to win a place in a professional baseball organization,[7] Burrell joined theUnited States Navy.[7] He served with PATRON (Patrol Squadron) FOUR SEVEN (VP-47) ofNAS Moffett Field inMountain View, California, as apetty officer third class aviation storekeeper (AK3), until hishonorable discharge after three years.[48]
Before Hammer'ssuccessful music career and "rags-to-riches-to-rags-and-back saga",[49] Burrell formed aChristian rap group with singer and musicianJon Gibson known as the Holy Ghost Boy(s).[50] Hammer andTramaine Hawkins performed with Gibson's band, in concerts at various venues such as the Beverly Theatre inBeverly Hills.[51] Some earlysongs produced were "Word", "B-Boy Chill"[52] and "Stupid Def Yal" (1987).[53] Hammer also produced "Son of the King" during this time, releasing it on his debut albumFeel My Power (1986), as well as the re-released versionLet's Get It Started (1988).[54][55] Additionally, "The Wall"[56] featured Hammer[57][58] (a song Burrell originally identified himself as MC Hammer),[59][60] which was later released on Gibson's albumChange of Heart (1988).[61][62] This wasCCM's firstrap hit by ablue-eyed soul singer and/or duo.[63][64]
In addition to later remixes of early releases, Hammer produced and recorded many rap songs that were never made public, yet are now available on the Internet.[65] Through his record labels such as Bust It Records, Oaktown Records and Full Blast—Hammer has introduced, signed and/or produced new talent including:Oaktown's 3.5.7, Ho Frat Hoo!,[66] the vocalquintetSpecial Generation,Analise,[67] James Greer,[68] One Cause One Effect,[7]B Angie B, The Stooge Playaz,[69][70] DASIT as seen onEgo Trip's The (White) Rapper Show,[71] Teabag, Common Unity, Geeman[72] and Pleasure Ellis[73] (all collaborating with him and/or producing music of their own during his career).[74][75] At around age 12, Oakland nativeKeyshia Cole recorded with Hammer and sought career advice from him.[76][77][78][79]
In the mid-1980s, while rapping in small venues and after a record deal went sour, Hammer borrowed US$20,000 each from formerOakland A's playersMike Davis andDwayne Murphy to start anindependent record label business.[7] As the CEO of Bust It Productions, Hammer kept the company going by selling records from his basement and car. Bust It Records spawned Bustin' Records, and collectively the companies had more than 100 employees.[7] Recording singles and selling them out of the trunk of his car, he marketed himself relentlessly. Coupled with his dance abilities, Hammer's style was unique at the time.
Now billing himself as "MC Hammer", he recorded songs for his debut albumFeel My Power in 1986. It was originally released on Hammer's independent label, Bustin' Records (via Oaktown Records), and produced byFelton Pilate ofCon Funk Shun. It sold over 60,000 copies and was distributed by City Hall Records. Hammer released singles from the album, including "Ring 'Em" in 1987.[80] Largely on the strength of tirelessstreet marketing by Hammer and his wife, in addition to continuous radio play, it achieved considerable popularity at dance clubs in theSan Francisco Bay Area. In spring 1988, Tony Valera (a 107.7KSOLRadio DJ), played the track "Let's Get It Started" in his mix-shows. The track also gained popularity innightclubs. Hammer declared he was "second to none fromDoug E. Fresh,LL Cool J orDJ Run" within the song. He would continue to call out otherEast Coast rappers in future projects as well.
Heartened by his rising prospects, Hammer launched into seven-day-a-week rehearsals with the growing troupe of dancers, musicians and backup vocalists he had hired. It was Hammer's stage show and his infectious stage presence that led to his big break in 1988 while performing in anOakland club. There, Hammer impressed a record executive who "didn't know who he was, but knew he was somebody", according to theNew Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll. Though Hammer had previously received and declined offers from major record labels before, he agreed to a multi-album contract withCapitol Records with a $1,750,000 advance. It did not take long for Capitol to recoup its investment.[40]
Once signed toCapitol Records, Hammer re-issued his first record (a revised version ofFeel My Power) with additional tracks added, which sold over two million copies. "Pump It Up" (also performed duringShowtime at the Apollo on September 16, 1989),[81] "Turn This Mutha Out", "Let's Get It Started" and "They Put Me in the Mix" were the most popular singles from this album (which all charted). Not entirely satisfied with this firstmulti-platinum success, Hammer's music underwent a metamorphosis, shifting from the standard rap format. "I decided the next album would be more musical," he said at the time. Purists chastised him for being more dancer than rapper. Sitting in a leopard-print bodysuit before a concert, he defended his style: "People were ready for something different from the traditional rap style. The fact that the record has reached this level indicates the genre is growing."[7]
Hammer was close friends withArsenio Hall (as well as a then-unknown teen namedVanilla Ice,despite later rumors that there was a "beef" between the two rappers which was addressed during the height of both their careers on Hall's show, and whom he would later reunite with in a 2009 concert inSalt Lake City, Utah),[82][83] and as such, Hammer was first invited to perform the song "U Can't Touch This", prior to its release, onThe Arsenio Hall Show in 1989.[84] He also performed "Dancing Machine" which later appeared in thePlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990).
Hammer used some of the proceeds from this album to install a rollingrecording studio in the back of histour bus, where Hammer recorded much of his second album.[40] In 1989, Hammer was featured on "You've Got Me Dancing" withGlen Goldsmith, which appeared on Goldsmith's albumDon't Turn This Groove Around viaRCA Records. The track was Hammer's first release in theUK. He also appeared in Glen Goldsmith'smusic video for this song. The single failed to chart. During this period, Hammer formed the rap groupOaktown's 3.5.7, releasing the No. 9 single "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" from the albumWild & Loose (1989).
Hammer's third album (and second major-label release),Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em,[85] was released on February 12, 1990 (with an original release date of January 1, 1990).[86] It included the successful single "U Can't Touch This" (whichsampledRick James' "Super Freak"). It was produced, recorded, andmixed byFelton Pilate and James Earley on amodified tour bus while on tour in 1989.[87] Despite heavy airplay and a No. 27 chart debut, "U Can't Touch This" stopped at No. 8 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart. However, the album was a No. 1 success for 21 weeks primarily due to this single, the first time ever for a recording on the pop charts. "U Can't Touch This" has been and continues to be used inmany films and television shows and also appears onsoundtrack andcompilation albums (such asMan of the House andBack 2 Back Hits).[88]
Follow-up successes included a cover ofthe Chi-Lites' "Have You Seen Her" and "Pray" (a beat sampled fromPrince's "When Doves Cry" andFaith No More's "We Care a Lot"),[89] which was his biggest hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. "Pray" was also a major UK success, peaking at No. 8. The album went on to become the first hip-hop album to earndiamond status, selling more than 18 million units to date.[8][9][10][90] During 1990, Hammer toured extensively in Europe which included a sold-out concert at theNational Exhibition Centre inBirmingham. With the sponsorship ofPepsiCo International,Pepsi CEOChristopher A. Sinclair went on tour with him during 1991.
The album was notable for sampling other high-profile artists and gave some of these artists a new fan base. "Dancin' Machine" sampledThe Jackson 5, "Help the Children" (also the name of anoutreachfoundation Hammer started)[91] interpolatesMarvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", and "She's Soft and Wet" also sampled Prince's "Soft and Wet". All of the songs were complimented by the background vocals of his singing group,Special Generation: this combination of sound made this album to be successful on radio and video television, with "U Can't Touch This," "Pray" (most successful), "Have You Seen Her", "Here Comes the Hammer" and "Yo!! Sweetness" (UK only) all charting. The album increased the popularity of hip hop music. It remains the genre's all-time best-selling album.[92]
Music videos from this and previous albums began to receive much airplay onMTV andVH1. A movie also accompanied the album, and was produced in 1990, entitledPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (with portions of hismusic videos included within the movie).[93] During this same time, Hammer also appeared in The West Coast Rap All-Starsposse cut "We're All in the Same Gang". Additionally, Hammer released the tracks "This is What We Do" on theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesmovie soundtrack (1990), and "That's What I Said" on theRocky Vsoundtrack (1990).
Acritical backlash began over the repetitive nature of his lyrics, his clean-cut image, and his perceived over-reliance on sampling entire hooks by others for the basis of his singles (criticisms also directed to his contemporaryVanilla Ice). He was mocked in music videos by3rd Bass (including arap battle withMC Serch),The D.O.C., DJ Debranz andIce Cube.Oakland hip-hop groupDigital Underground criticized him in the CD insert of theirSex Packets album, by placing Hammer's picture in it and referring to him as an unknownderelict.Q-Tip criticized him in "Check the Rhime", saying: "What you say Hammer? Proper. Rap is not pop, if you call it that then stop."LL Cool Jdissed him in "To da Break of Dawn" (from hisMama Said Knock You Out album), calling Hammer an "amateur, swinging a Hammer from a body bag [his pants]" and stated: "my old gym teacher ain't supposed to rap." However, it could have been a response to Hammer calling him out in "Let's Get it Started", when he was mentioned along withRun-DMC andDoug E. Fresh as rappers that Hammer claimed to be better than. LL Cool J would later compliment and commend Hammer's abilities/talents onVH-1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, which aired in 2008.Ice-T came to Hammer's defense on his 1991 albumO.G. Original Gangster: "A special shout out to my man MC Hammer. A lot of people diss you man, but they just jealous." Ice-T later explained that he had nothing against people who werepop rap from the start, but ratheremcees who switch from being hardcore or "dirty" to pop rap, in order to sell more records. Despite the criticisms, Hammer's career continued to be highly successful, including tours in Asia, Europe, Australia, and Russia. Soon after, M.C. HammerMattel dolls, lunchboxes and other merchandise were marketed. He was also given his ownSaturday-morning cartoon, calledHammerman, which he hosted and voiced.[94]
After publicly dropping the "MC" from his stage name, Hammer releasedToo Legit to Quit (also produced byFelton Pilate) in 1991. Hammer answered his critics within certain songs from the album. Sales were strong (over five million copies),[95] with thetitle track being the biggesthit single from this record. The album peaked in the Top 5 of theBillboard 200. Another hit came soon after, with "Addams Groove" (which appeared on bothThe Addams Familymotion picture soundtrack and the vinyl and cassette versions of2 Legit 2 Quit), reaching No. 7 in the US and No. 4 in theUK. His video for the song appeared after the movie.
Hammer set out on a high-profile tour promoting the album which included a stage show loaded with singers, dancers and backup musicians. In 1992,Boyz II Men joined the tour as an opening act.[96] While traveling the country, their tour manager Khalil Roundtree was murdered inChicago, and the group's future performances of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" were dedicated to him. As a result of this unfortunate experience, the song would help advance their success.[97] Ultimately, however, the lavish show proved too expensive to support through album sales and it was cancelled partway through its scheduled run.[98]
Music videos were produced for all four singles released from this album (including "Do Not Pass Me By" and "This Is The Way We Roll"), all which charted. The"2 Legit 2 Quit" video featured many celebrity appearances and has been ranked as one of themost expensive videos ever made.[99] The hand motions used within the song and video also became very popular.[100] "2 Legit to Quit" proved to be successful in the US, peaking in the Top 10 at No. 5 on theBillboard Hot 100. Despite the album'smulti-platinum certification, the sales were one-third ofPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.
At the end of the "2 Legit 2 Quit" video, afterJames Brown enlists Hammer to get the famous glove ofMichael Jackson, a silver-white sequined glove is shown on the hand of a Michael Jackson look-alike doing the "2 Legit 2 Quit" hand gesture.[100] In a related story, Hammer appeared onThe Wendy Williams Show (July 27, 2009) and talked about his hit reality showHammertime onA&E, his marriage, his role as a dad and the reasons he eventually went bankrupt. He told an amusing story about a phone call he received from "MJ", regarding the portion of the "2 Legit 2 Quit" video that included a fake Jackson, giving his approval and inclusion of it. He explained how Michael had seen the video and liked it, and both expressed they were fans of one another.[101] Hammer and Jackson would later appear, speak and/or perform at the funeral service forJames Brown in 2006.[102] In 1991, Hammer was featured on the single "The Blood" from theBeBe & CeCe Winans album,Different Lifestyles. In 1992, the songpeaked at No. 8 on theChristian charts.
In 1992, after a four-year hiatus,Doug E. Fresh signed with Hammer's label, Bust It Records and issued one album,Doin' What I Gotta Do, which (despite some minor acclaim for his single "Bustin' Out (On Funk)" which sampled theRick James 1979 single "Bustin' Out") was a commercial failure. Prior to Hammer's next album,The Funky Headhunter,rumors from critics and fans began claiming Hammer had quit the music/entertainment business or had suffered a financial downfall (since a couple of years were passing between his two records), which Hammer denied. Hammer claimedrumors falselyheralded his downfall were most likely a result of the fact he turned over his "trimmed-down" Bust It Records to his brother and manager Louis Burrell Jr., and hishorse racing interests to his brother Chris and their father, Louis Burrell Sr.[39]
During his hiatus between albums, Hammer consequently signed a multi-million-dollar deal with a new record company. He said there were a lot of bidders, but "not too many of them could afford Hammer". Therefore, Hammer parted ways withFelton Pilate (who had previously worked with the successful vocal groupCon Funk Shun) and switched record labels toGiant Records, taking his Oaktown label with him. Hammer waseventually sued by Pilate. Hammer also launched a new enterprise, calledRoll Wit It Entertainment & Sports Management, with clients such asEvander Holyfield,Deion Sanders andReggie Brooks.[103][104] In 1993, his production company released the hit rap song "Gangsta Lean" byDRS (from their debut albumGangsta Lean).
By this time, Hammer also parted ways with his only female executive music business administration consultant and songwriter, Linda Lou McCall (who previously worked withthe Delfonics and her husbandLouis A. McCall, Sr.'s bandCon Funk Shun).[105] A music industry vet, McCall was hired by Hammer's brother and manager Louis K. Burrell, in 1990. She helped set up his corporate operations and administration, at Bust It Management & Productions Inc. inOakland, California. McCall later became Vice President of Hammer's talent management company, overseeing artists likeHeavy D,B Angie B andRalph Tresvant. While at Bust It, she and her husband brought their artistKeith Martin to Felton's attention, who hired him as a backup musician and vocalist for Hammer'sPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em andToo Legit to Quit world tours.
With a new home and daughter, a new record soon to be released and his new business, Hammer claimed that he was happy and far from being broke during a tour of his mansion forEbony. "Today there is a more aggressive Hammer, because the '90s require you to be more aggressive," Hammer said of his music style. "There is a harder edge, but I'm nogangsta. Hammer in the '90s is on the offense, on the move, on the attack. And it's all good."[106]
In 1993, Hammer began recording his fifth official album. To adapt to the changing landscape of hip-hop, this album was a more aggressive sounding album entitledThe Funky Headhunter. He co-produced this record with funky rapper and producer, Stefan Adamek. While Hammer's appearance changed to keep up with the gangsta rap audience, his lyrics still remained honest and somewhat clean with minor profanity. Yet, as with previous records, Hammer would continue to call out anddisrespect other rappers on this album. As with some earlier songs such as "Crime Story" (from the albumPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em), the content and reality about "street life" remained somewhat the same, but the sound was different, resulting in Hammer losing favor with fans.[107] This album peaked at number two on theR&B charts and remained in the Top 30 midway through the year.[108] The album was eventually certifiedplatinum.[109]
Hammer debuted the video for "Pumps and a Bump" during another appearance onThe Arsenio Hall Show during the mid-1990s. HostArsenio Hall said to Hammer, "Women in the audience want to know, what's in your speedos in the 'Pumps and a Bump' video?" A clip from the video was then shown, to much approval from the audience. Hammer didn't give a direct answer, but instead laughed. Arsenio then said, "I guess that's why they call you 'Hammer.' It ain't got nothin' to do withHank Aaron."[108]
The video to the album's first single, "Pumps and a Bump", was banned from heavy rotation onMTV with censors claiming that the depiction of Hammer inSpeedos (and with what appeared to be an erection) was too graphic.[110][111] This led to an alternative video being filmed (with Hammer fully clothed) that was directed byBay Area native Craig S. Brooks. "It's All Good" was the second single released from the album.
On December 20, 1994,Deion Sanders releasedPrime Time, a rap album on Hammer's Bust It Records label which featured the minor hit "Must Be the Money". "Prime Time Keeps on Tickin'" was also released as a single. Sanders, a friend of Hammer's, had previously appeared in his "Too Legit to Quit" music video, and hisalter-ego "Prime Time" is also used in Hammer's "Pumps and a Bump" video. The song "Help Lord (Won't You Come)" appeared inKingdom Come.[112]
In 1995, Hammer released the albumInside Out. The album sold poorly compared to previous records (peaking at 119 on the Billboard Charts) andGiant Records dropped him and Oaktown Records from their roster. Songs "Going Up Yonder" and "Sultry Funk" managed to get moderate radio play (even charting on national radio station countdowns). Along with a fickle public, Hammer would go on to explain in this album that he felt many of his so-called friends (who he had helped) had used and betrayed him. Their abuse reportedly contributed to a majority of his financial loss (best explained in the song "Keep On" and thebio from this album).[113] He would also hint about this again in interviews, includingThe Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2009.[114]
In 1995, Hammer released "Straight to My Feet" (withDeion Sanders) from theStreet Fightersoundtrack (released in December 1994). The song charted at No. 57 in the UK. Hammer's relationship withSuge Knight dates back to 1988. Hammer signed withDeath Row Records by 1995, at the time home toSnoop Dogg and his close friend,Tupac Shakur.[115] The label did not release the album of Hammer's music (titledToo Tight) while he had a career with them, although he did release versions of some tracks on his next album.[116][117] However, Burrell did record tracks with Shakur and others, most notably the song "Too Late Playa" (along withBig Daddy Kane andDanny Boy).[118] After the death of Shakur in 1996, Burrell left the record company.[119] He later explained his concern about this circumstance in an interview onTrinity Broadcasting Network since he was inLas Vegas with Tupac the night of his death.[120]
In October 1996, Burrell and Oaktown signed withEMI, which saw the release of acompilation album of Hammer'shit singles prior toThe Funky Headhunter. The album, titledGreatest Hits, featured twelve former hits.[121] In 1998, another "greatest hits" album, calledBack 2 Back Hits, was produced and released byCEMA. Another compilation version ofBack 2 Back was later released byCapitol Records in 2006. As Hammer's empire began to collapse when his last album failed to match the sales of its predecessors, and since he unsuccessfully attempted to recast himself in the "streetwise/hardcore rap" mold of the day, Hammer turned to agospel-friendly audience.[40]
In 1998, Hammer released his first album in his new deal with EMI, titledFamily Affair, because it was to introduce the world to the artists he had signed to his Oaktown Records (Geeman, Teabag, and Common Unity) as they made their recording debut. Technically his seventh album since his debutEP, this record was highly promoted onTrinity Broadcasting Network (performing a more gospel version of "Keep On" from his albumInside Out V), yet featured nocharting singles and selling about 1,000 copies worldwide.[122][123] The album also features a song written for Hammer byTupac called "Unconditional Love".[74] Hammer would later dance and read the lyrics to this song on the firstVH1 Hip Hop Honors in 2004.[124][125]
Adouble album mostly aboutfaith andfamily values, additional tracks fromFamily Affair are: "Put It Down", "Put Some Stop in Your Game", "Big Man", "Set Me Free", "Our God", "Responsible Father Shout", "He Brought Me Out", (Geeman Intro), "Eye's Like Mine", "Never Without You", "Praise Dance Theme Song", "Shame of the Name", (Smoothout Intro), (Teabag Intro), "Silly Heart", "I Wish U Were Free", (Common Unity Intro), "Someone to Hold to You", "Pray" (1998), "Let's Get It Started" (1998), and with "Hammer Music/Shouts/Tour Info" announcements between songs.[126] Thecompact discs are also "PC Ready" withinteractive features. After this album, new projects were rumored to be in the works, including an album (War Chest: Turn of the Century) and asoundtrack to the filmReturn to Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man, but neither appeared.[127][128]
In 2000, another compilation album was released, titledThe Hits. Following theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, Hammer released his album,Active Duty, on his own World Hit Music Group label (the musical enterprise under his Hammertime Holdings Inc. umbrella) to pay homage to the ones lost in theterrorist attacks.[68] The album followed that theme, and featured two singles (with accompanying videos), "No Stoppin' Us (USA)" and "Pop Yo Collar" (featuring Wee Wee) which demonstrates "The Phat Daddy Pop", "In Pop Nito", "River Pop", "Deliver The Pop" and "Pop'n It Up" dance moves.[129] The album, like its predecessor, failed to chart and would not sell as many copies as previous projects. Hammer did however promote it on such shows asThe View and produced a video for both singles.[130]
This patriotic album, originally planned to be titledThe Autobiography Of MC Hammer, donated portions of the proceeds to9/11 charities.[67][68][131] Hammer shot a video for the anthem "No Stoppin' Us (USA)" inWashington, D.C., with several members of theUnited States Congress, who sang in the song and danced in the video. Present members of theUnited States House of Representatives includedJ. C. Watts,Eddie Bernice Johnson,Thomas M. Davis,Earl Hilliard,Alcee Hastings, Rep.Diane Watson (D-Calif.), Rep.Corrine Brown (D-Fla.) andJesse Jackson Jr.
After leaving Capitol Records and EMI for the second time in his career, Hammer decided to move his Oaktown imprint to an independent distributor and released his ninth studio album,Full Blast (which was completed in late 2003 and released as a complete album in early 2004). The album would feature no charting singles and was not certified by theRIAA. A video was produced for "Full Blast", a song that attacksEminem andBusta Rhymes for previous disrespect towards him. Some of the original songs didn't end up making the final album release. Guest artists included The Stooge Playaz, Pleasure, Rain, JD Greer and DasIt.[132]
After goingindependent, Hammer decided to create adigital label to release his tenth studio album,Look Look Look. The album was released in February 2006 and featured production fromScott Storch. The album featured the title-track single (Look Look Look) and amusic video. It would sell much better than his previous release (300,000 copies worldwide).
"YAY" was produced byLil Jon. "What Happened to Our Hood?" (featuring Sam Logan) was originally fromActive Duty. "I Got It From The Town" was used in themovie but is only present in one scene instead of the originally planned two onThe Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (soundtrack).
In June 2007, Hammer released a military-inspired rap song with a political message to PresidentGeorge W. Bush about sending American troops back home from war, called "Bring Our Brothers Home".[133] The video was filmed at theSanta Monica Pier.[134][135]
In 2008,Platinum MC Hammer was released byEMI Records. The compilation consists of 12 tracks from Hammer's previous albums, with a similar playlist as former "greatest hits" records (with the exception of including a remix of "Hammer Hammer, They Put Me In A Mix" which includes rap lyrics that "They Put Me In A Mix" originally did not). An import was released byCapitol Records.[136][137]
Since his 2006 album, Hammer continued to produce music and released several other raps that appeared on hissocial websites (such asMyspace and Dancejam.com) or in commercials,[138] with another album announced to be launched in late 2008 (via his own record label Fullblast Playhouse). Talks of the tour and a new album were expected in 2009.[70][139][140]
"Getting Back to Hetton" was made public in 2008 as adigital single. It was a departure for Hammer, bringing in funky deepsoul and mixing it with a morehouse style. Released through licence on Whippet Digital Recordings, media reviews were said to be "disappointing". However, the song "I Got Gigs" from this album was used in a 2009 ESPN commercial and performed duringHammertime (as well as played while he danced just prior to introducingSoulja Boy duringYouTube Live on November 22, 2008).[141]
Other tracks and videos from the album included: "I Go" (produced byLil Jon), "Keep It In Vegas", "Lookin' Out The Window", "Dem Jeans" (by DASIT), "Stooge Karma Sutra" (by The Stooge Playaz) and "Tried to Luv U" (by DASIT featuring Pleasure Ellis).[142]
In February 2009, MC Hammer andVanilla Ice had a one-off concert at theMcKay Events Center inOrem, Utah.[83] This concert aided in the promotion of Hammer's new music and television show. During the concert (as shown during an episode ofHammertime), it was mentioned between the two rappers that this was their first headline show together in nearly 20 years, since the time when they were touring together at the peak of their hip-hop careers. Hammer said: "Contrary to popular belief, Ice and I are not only cool with each other, we are like long lost friends. I've known him since he was 16, before he had a record contract and before I had a record contract. It is a great reunion." Vanilla Ice said: "It's like no time has passed at all. We set the world on fire back in the day ... I'm so happy right now, the magic is here."[143][144]
MC Hammer promised to release atrack (expected on October 31, 2010) responding to a song byKanye West featuringJay-Z which attacked him. On the "So Appalled" track, which featuresSwizz Beatz andRZA, Jay-Z raps a verse targeting Hammer about hisfinancial dilemma in the 1990s. On it, Jay says: 'Hammer went broke so you know I'm more focused / I lost 30 mil' so I spent another 30 / 'Cause unlike Hammer 30 million can't hurt me'. Hammer addressed his displeasure about the diss onTwitter, claiming he would react to Jay-Z onHalloween.[145][146][147]
Hammer released a sample of his "beef" with Jay-Z in a brief teaser trailer called "Better Run Run" by 'King Hammer'. At one point, it was uncertain if his reaction would be a film video, amusic video or a combination of both.[148] Regardless, he claimed he would show evidence that 'Jigga worships the devil'.[149][150] It is possible that Jay-Z was offended by ananalogy Hammer was conveying in an earlier interview in response to "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)" onAllHipHop.[151]
On November 1, Hammer's song with video called "Better Run Run!" hit theweb in retaliation to Jay-Z's September 2010 diss towards him.[152][153] Hammer accuses Jigga of being in league (and in the studio) with Satan—and then Hammer defeats the devil and forces Jay to be baptized. Speaking on the video, Jacob O'Gara ofEthos Magazine wrote: "What's more likely is that this feud is the last chapter in the tragic cautionary tale of MC Hammer, a tale that serves as a warning to all present and future kings of hip-hop. Keep your balance on the pedestal and wear the crown strong or you'll have theDevil to pay."[154]
In an interview withBBC'sDJ Semtex, Jay said he did not mean the verses as a personal attack. "I didn't know that [Hammer's financial status] wasn't on the table for discussion!" he said. "I didn't know I was the first person ever to say that..." He continued, "When I say things, I think people believe me so much that they take it a different way — it's, like, not rap anymore at that point. I say some great things about him in the book I have coming out [Decoded] — that wasn't a cheap plug," he laughed. "He's gonna be embarrassed, I said some really great things about him and people's perception of him. But it is what it is, he took it that wrong way, and I didn't know I said anything wrong!"[155]
On February 3, 2011, MC Hammer appeared onThe Oprah Winfrey Show premiering the track "See Her Face" viaFlipboard. It was the first time Flipboard included music in the application.[156][157][158]
Among other songs, Hammer released "Raider Nation (Oakland Raiders Anthem)" along with a video in late 2013 and "All in My Mind" (which samples "Summer Breeze" byThe Isley Brothers) in early 2014, with his newly formed group Oakland Fight Club (featuringMistah F.A.B.).[159][160]
Additionalhip-hop,R&B andsoul tracks released via Hammer'sFull Blast Music label include: "Better Man" (December 2013) by Gentry Kozia of the Oakland Fight Club, "Say It Isn't So" (December 2016) featuring Gentry Kozia, "Perfect Night" (March 2017) featuring Gentry Kozia, "Don't Stop" (September 2017) featuring Pleasure Ellis (remix fromThe Funky Headhunter), "Here We Go Again" (November 2017) featuring Gentry Kozia, "22 Pills" (December 2017) credited as BIG HAMM featuring Gentry Kozia, "Kalifornia Git Down" (December 2017) from themixtapeThe Chronicles of Big Hamm (viaBMI Publishing), "Best Life" (May 2018) featuring Gentry Kozia, and "Lit Up" (October 2018) featuring Booby Hammer and Ace Kayo.[161]
Hammer released a visualizer music video for his song "We Gotta Do Better" featuring Gentry Kozia on April 22, 2015. It was posted on his personalblogspot viaVimeo.[162]
Hammer released an updated version of his1990 charting song with a short film video in late 2017.[163]
Hammer released "U R Everything" with a music video in December 2024. The song samples "You Are Everything byThe Stylistics.[164][165]
In 1991, Hammer established Oaktown Stable that would eventually have nineteenThoroughbred racehorses. That year, his outstanding fillyLite Light won several Grade I stakes races including the prestigiousKentucky Oaks. HisD. Wayne Lukas-trained coltDance Floor won the Grade IIKentucky Jockey Club Stakes and theBreeders' Futurity Stakes in 1991, then the following year won theFountain of Youth Stakes and finished 3rd in the 1992Kentucky Derby. He continues to attend shows as well as many sporting events alongside celebrities.[39] In the late 1990s into the early 2000s, along with a newclothing line called J Slick, Hammer began creating and working on MC Hammer USA, an interactive online portal.[166]
In 2002, Hammer signed a book contract with publishing companySimon & Schuster which called for a release the following year. However, a manuscript for an inspirational book calledEnemies of the Father: Messages from the Heart on Being a Family Man (addressing the situation of African American men), for which Hammer received advance money to write, was never submitted in 2003. This resulted in Hammer being sued by the book company over claims that he never finished the book as promised. The company's March 2009 lawsuit sought return of the US$61,000 advance given to Hammer for the unwritten book about fatherhood.[40][167][168]
Hammer was a popularweb mogul andactivist, becoming involved in several Internet projects (includingTechCrunch40 conferences).[169][170][171] In 2007, Hammer was co-founder and chief strategy officer ofMenlo Park-based (Silicon Valley) DanceJam.com along withGeoffrey Arone.[172] The community site (valued at $4.5 million)[173] was exclusively dedicated to dancing video competitions, techniques and styles which Hammer sometimes judged or rated.[174][175]
In July 2010, Hammer started amixed martial arts management company to manage, market, promote and brand-build for fighters. Artists includedNate Marquardt,Tim F. Kennedy andVladimir Matyushenko, among others. According to MMAWeekly.com andBizjournals, his new company was Alchemist Management based inLos Angeles, managing at least ten fighters.[176] That same month, Hammer also announced an apparel line called Alchemist Clothing. The brand described as colorful lifestyle clothing debuted during anUltimate Fighting Championship fight inAustin.Middleweight fighter Nate "The Great" Marquardt wore an Alchemist shirt as he walked out to theboxing ring. Hammer had shown an interest inboxing throughout his career.[177]
On September 28, 2010, Hammer headlined at theTechCrunch Disrupt conference for an official after-hours party.[178] Hammer appeared onThe Oprah Winfrey Show in February 2011 to discuss his tech-media-mogul status, as well as his creation, demonstration and consulting of social applications/sites/media (such as having an involvement with the Internet since 1994 includingYouTube andTwitter), and devices such asiPad and ZAGGmate by Zagg.[179][180] He also explained how employing/helping so many people in the past never really caused him to be broke in terms of the average person, as the media made it seem, nor would he have changed any experiences that has led him to where he is today. During the "Whatever Happened to MC Hammer" episode, he discussed his current home, family and work life as well.[181][182][183]
In October 2011, Hammer announced a new internet venture calledWireDoo, a "deepsearch engine" that planned to compete with the major search engines,Google andBing.[184] With the motto, "Search once and see what's related", Hammer's team planned to eventually open up the site to a select number ofbeta testers.[185][186] However, WireDoo never left beta mode.[187][188]
Hammerproduced and starred in his own movie,Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990).[189] The film is about a rapper returning to his hometown who defeats a drug lord using kids totraffic his product. For this project, Hammer earned aGrammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video at the33rd Grammy Awards (having been nominated for two).[190] He later producedMC Hammer: 2 Legit (The Videos), which included many actors and athletes.[191]
Hammer appeared in major marketing campaigns for companies such asPepsi,KFC,Toshiba,British Knights andTaco Bell during the height of his career.[192][193][194][195]
In 1991, Hammer hosted, sang/rapped andvoiced aSaturday-morning cartoon calledHammerman. That same year, he and Bust It Productions (includingB Angie B,Special Generation and Ho Frat Hoo!) appeared in concert fromNew Orleans onBET.[196]
Hammer has madecameos and/or performed on many television shows such asSaturday Night Live (as host and musical guest),Amen andMartin. He also made a cameo in the 1993Arnold Schwarzenegger filmLast Action Hero. Hammer would also go on to appear as himself onThe History of Rock 'N' Roll, Vol. 5 (1995).[197] Additionally, he has been involved in movies as an actor such as,One Tough Bastard (1996),Reggie's Prayer (1996), theShowtime filmThe Right Connections (1997),Deadly Rhapsody (2001),Finishing the Game (2007) and1040 (2010),[198] as well as a television and movie producer.[199][200][201][202]
Despite his financial status being publicly attacked, after meeting at theNational Association of Broadcasters convention inLas Vegas in April 2001, Hammer (credited as a producer)[92] provided the much-needed funding to filmmakerJustin Lin forBetter Luck Tomorrow (2002). In its first ever film acquisition, MTV Films eventually acquiredBetter Luck Tomorrow after it debuted at TheSundance Film Festival.[202][203] The director said, "Out of desperation, I called up MC Hammer because he had read the script and liked it. Two hours later, he wired the money we needed into a bank account and saved us."[200][204]
Hammer appeared in two cable television movies.[40] At the age of 39, he was one of the producers for theVH1 movieToo Legit: The MC Hammer Story, starringRomany Malco andTangi Miller as his wife, which aired on December 19, 2001. The film is a biopic which chronicles the rise and fall of the artist.2 Legit To Quit: The Life Story of MC Hammer became the second highest-rated original movie in the history of VH1 and broadcast simultaneously on BET.[92][205] "The whole script came from me," says Hammer, "I sat down with a writer and gave him all the information."[67]
In 2003, Hammer appeared onThe WB's first season ofThe Surreal Life, a reality show known for assembling an eclectic mix of celebrities to live together. He was also adance judge on the 2003ABC Family TV seriesDance Fever. Additionally, he appeared on VH1'sAnd You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip-Hop (2004) as well as in100 Greatest Songs of the 90s (2008), a countdown which he was also commentator on. His eldest child, A'Keiba Burrell, was a contestant on MTV'sRock the Cradle in April 2008 (which Hammer also made appearances on).
Hammer had shown an interest in having his own reality show with specific television networks at one point. Already being a part of shows for VH1 and The WB (I Married... MC Hammer andThe Surreal Life), it was later confirmed he would appear inHammertime onA&E in the summer of 2009.[16] This reality show was about his personal, business and family life.[206][207] The following year, Hammer appeared onLive with Regis and Kelly June 3, 2009, to promote his show which began June 14, 2009, at 10 p.m.Eastern Time Zone (EST).[208][209][210]
In August 2008, a newESPN ad featured Hammer in it, showcasing his single "I Got Gigs'" (from hisDanceJamtheMusic album).[211][212] The commercial was forMonday Night Football's upcoming football season.[43] This is not the first commercial in more recent years that Hammer has been in, or his songs/raps/dancing was used for and included in such asLay's,Hallmark Cards,Purell,Lysol,Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, andCitibank. On February 1, 2009, Hammer andEd McMahon were featured in aSuper Bowl XLIII commercial forCash4Gold.[213]
In addition to appearing in television commercials, Hammer's music has also been used in television shows and movies, especially "U Can't Touch This" during:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990),Hot Shots! (1990),The Super (1991),Doogie Howser, M.D. (1992),Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996),Kung Pow! Enter the Fist (2002),Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle (2003),Into the Wild (2007),Tropic Thunder (2008),Dancing with the Stars (2009),Glee (2010) and many more. Additionally, "This Is What We Do" was a 1990 track by Hammer (featuringB Angie B) for theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film andsoundtrack. Tracks "That's What I Said" and "Feel My Power" were used for theRocky V film andsoundtrack. Some examples of other raps by Hammer used in movies and television were: "Addams Groove" (The Addams Family), "Pray" (License to Wed), "2 Legit 2 Quit" (Hot Rod), "I Got It From The Town" (The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift), "Help Lord, Won't You Come" (Kingdom Come), "Let's Go Deeper" (Beverly Hills, 90210) and "Straight to My Feet" (Street Fighter).
Along withBetty White, Hammer was a voice actor on the September 17, 2010, episode ofGlenn Martin, DDS called "Step-Brother".[214] In 2016, MC Hammer appeared as himself in an episode ofUncle Grandpa onCartoon Network. In June 2017, Hammer appeared duringBeat Shazam onFox.[215] Hammer has most recently been a spokesman for3M Command Strips andStarburst.[216] In September 2020, Hammer appeared onThe Greatest AtHome Videos viaZoom.[217][218][219]
Hammer'sdance style not only helped pave the way for theSan Francisco Bay Area movement calledhyphy,[220] but also helped to bring hip-hop and rap to the Bay Area. With his popular trademarkHammer pants, one phenomenal difference from Hammer versus other performers during his heyday was that he was an entertainer, both during live shows and in music videos. His flamboyant dancing was as much a part of his performances as rapping and musical instruments were. With high-energy dance routines, he is often considered one of the greatest dancers. While adding his own techniques, Hammer adopted styles fromJames Brown andNicholas Brothers such as thesplits, as well as feverishly choreographed dance routines includingleaps andslides. His creation of such dances as the "Hammer dance"[221] (or the "typewriter dance") and "the bump" from "U Can't Touch This", as well as the "running man" and the "butterfly", made his flashy and creative dance skills unlike any others at the time.[222]
Hammer'sshowmanship and elaborate stagechoreography (involving fifteen dancers, twelve backup singers, seven live musicians and two disc jockeys), gave him a powerful visual appeal. Hammer was the first rap artist to put together a choreographed show of this type, and his visual flair attracted heavy airplay for his videos on MTV, which at the time had a predominantly white viewership that had aired little rap music before Hammer.[40]
During a 1990 visit from Hammer (accompanied by his friendFab Five Freddy) onYo! MTV Raps, one of the dancers whom Hammer was holding auditions for was then-unknownJennifer Lopez. At the height of his career, Hammer had his legs insured for a substantial amount of money (into the millions), as mentioned in an interview byMaria Shriver in 1990.[223] He later suffered an injury to his knee that halted his dancing career for a period of time.[54] Eventually,BET ranked Hammer as the 7th Best Dancer of All Time.[28] Some of Hammer's entourage, or "posse" as he called them, were also trained/skilled dancers (including Tiffany Patterson). They participated in videos and at concerts, yet too many dancers and band members eventually contributed to Hammer's downfall, proving to be too much for him to finance.[224]
Hammer stayed active in the dance media/genre, both on television shows and as co-founder of DanceJam.com (which showcased dance competitions and instructional videos on all the latest dance styles) until he and his partnerGeoffrey Arone sold it to Grind Networks.[170] Well known for bringing choreography to hip-hop, many of his dancing skills can still be seen on dance-focused and social networking sites. "Dance is unlike any other social medium. It's the core of our culture", Burrell toldWired.[174]
In addition to his websites and Internet presence,[171] Hammer has also appeared demonstrating much of his dancing abilities on talk shows such asThe Arsenio Hall Show,Soul Train,Late Night with Conan O'Brien (performingO'Brien's famous "string dance" together as well),The Ellen DeGeneres Show andThe View. Hammer was also adance judge onDance Fever. On June 3, 2009, he performed his "Hammer dance" onLive with Regis and Kelly withWill Ferrell as co-host.[209][225][226]
While Hammer may have challenged and competed withMichael Jackson during the height of his career, they were friends, proven by a phone call Hammer had with Jackson about his "Too Legit to Quit" video which he shared onThe Wendy Williams Show in July 2009. Hammer wanted to ensure he was not offended by the ending of the video where a purported Jackson (seen only from behind) does the "2 Legit 2 Quit" hand gesture with his famous glove.[100][101] They also appeared together at the funeral service for James Brown in 2006, where Hammer danced in honor of the "Godfather of Soul".[102] After Jackson's death, Hammer posted his remembrance and sympathy of the superstar on Twitter. Michael's friend and fellow pop culture icon Hammer toldSpinner that, "now that the "King of Pop" has passed, it's the duty of his fans and loved ones to carry Jackson's creative torch." He went on to say, "Michael Jackson lit the fuse that ignited the spirit of dance in us all. He gave us a song and a sweet melody that will never die. Now we all carry his legacy with joy and pride."[227]
In 2022,Bobby Brown claimed he started wearing the "diaper pants" that Hammer altered and made famous, on hisA&E showBobby Brown: Every Little Step.[228] However, Brown wore a less sagging variation during some concerts and in music videos, such as "My Prerogative" (1988) and "Every Little Step" (1989).[229][230]
At the time of his first album, Hammer opened his own music management firm. As a result of the success of his third album,Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, Hammer had amassed approximately US$33 million.[231] In 1997, Hammer sold hisFremont, California estate and mansion[232] for US$5.3 million, after filing for bankruptcy in 1996.[233][234] Hammer most recently resided in a largeranch-style adobe home, situated on a two-acre corner lot inTracy, California,[235] with his wife Stephanie. They met at a church revival meeting and married December 21, 1985.[236] They have five children and also raised Hammer's nephew.[237][238][239] It was reported in July 2012 that Hammer was encouraged to marryWhitney Houston by her father at theSuper Bowl in 1991.[240][241]
Hammer frequently posted about his life and activities on his blog "Look Look Look", as well as othersocial websites such asFacebook,Myspace andTwitter (being one of the earliest celebrities to contribute and join).[242] A self-described "super geek" who consulted for or invested in eight technology companies, Hammer claimed to spend 10–12 hours daily working on his technology projects, and tweeted 30–40 times a day as of 2012.[158][243] He has been noted as a popularizer and defender ofphilosophy in his social media posts.[244] Hammer was anendorser of theSAFE California Act, which, if passed in November 2012, would have replaced thedeath penalty.[245] However, the proposition was defeated.
Contrary to public rumor, Hammer claimed he was really never "down-and-out" as reported by the media (eventually expressed onThe Opie & Anthony Show andThe Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2009). Originally having an estimated net worth of over $33 million according toForbes magazine, speculations about Hammer's status first emerged during delays between albumsToo Legit to Quit andThe Funky Headhunter, with Hammer having spent much of his money on staff and personal luxuries.[246] In addition to excessive spending while supporting friends and family,[247] Hammer ultimately became over $13 million in debt[248]—due to dwindling album sales, unpaid loans, a large payroll, and a lavish lifestyle. Therefore, Hammer eventually filed forChapter 11 bankruptcy at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland, California,[249] on April 1, 1996.[250] The case was converted toChapter 7 on September 23, 1998. However, Hammer was denied abankruptcy discharge on April 23, 2002.[251]
Hammer'smansion was sold for a fraction of its former price.[252][231] "My priorities were out of order," he toldEbony. He said: "My priorities should have always been God, family, community and then business. Instead they had been business, business and business."[253] Along withFelton Pilate and other group members,Rick James sued Hammer for infringement of copyright on "U Can't Touch This", but the suit was settled out of court when Hammer agreed to credit James as co-composer, effectively cutting James in on the millions of dollars the song was earning. By the late 1990s, Hammer seemed to stabilize himself and made himself ready to undertake new projects.[40]
In 1992, Hammer had admitted in depositions and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes the Hammer" from aChristian recording artist inDallas named Kevin Christian. Christian had filed a $16 million lawsuit against Hammer forcopyright infringement of his song entitled "Oh-Oh, You Got the Shing". This fact, compounded with witness testimony from both Hammer's and Christian's entourages, and other evidence (including photos), brought about a settlement withCapitol Records in 1994. The terms of the settlement remain sealed. Hammer settled with Christian the following year.[254][255]
In 1997, just prior to beginning his ministry, Hammer (who by that time had re-adopted "MC") was the subject of an episode ofThe Oprah Winfrey Show and theVH1 seriesBehind the Music (music from his albumInside Out was featured in this documentary).[256][257] In these appearances, Burrell admitted "that [he] had already used up most of [his] fortune of over $20 million, proving that money is nothing if it doesn't bring peace and if priorities are wrong".[258] He would go on to express a similar point in other interviews as well.[259]
During numerous interviews on radio stations and television channels throughout the years, Hammer was constantly questioned about his bankruptcy.[119][260][261] During an interview byWKQI-FM (95.5) for the promotion of his "Pioneers Of Hip Hop 2009" gig at theFox Theatre in Detroit (which featured2 Live Crew,Naughty by Nature,Too Short,Biz Markie andRoxanne Shanté), Hammer was asked about his finances by theMojo in the Morning host. Hammer responded on Twitter, saying that Mojo was a "coward" and threatened to cancel commercials for his upcoming show.[262][263][264]
On November 21, 2011, the U.S. government filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in California against Hammer to obtain a court judgment on his unpaid taxes for years 1996 and 1997.[265] In December 2011, this litigation was reported in the media. Hammer owed $779,585 in back taxes from his earnings dating back to 1996–1997; during the years, Hammer was believed to be facing his worst financial problems. After years of public and media ridicule regarding his financial problem, Hammer tried to assure fans and "naysayers" via Twitter, saying that he had proof he had already taken care of his debt with the IRS. "700k – Don't get too excited .. I paid them already and kept my receipt. Stamped by a US Federal Judge", Hammer tweeted from his account @MCHammer.[266]
However, the District Court ruled against Hammer. He appealed, but, on December 17, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Hammer's argument that because the government had not listed those taxes in the government's proof of claim filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the government should be stopped from collecting the taxes.[267] According to a 2017 episode of theReelz TV seriesBroke & Famous, the situation was eventually resolved.[268] As of the making of the aforementionedBroke & Famous episode, Hammer had a reported net worth of $1.5 million.[268]
Hammer was arrested in 2013 inDublin, California, for allegedlyobstructing an officer in the performance of his duties and resisting an officer (according to"stop and identify" statutes). Hammer claims he was a victim ofracial profiling by the police, stating an officer pulled out his gun and randomly asked him: "Are you on parole or probation?" Hammer stated that as he handed over hisID, the officer reached inside the car and tried to pull him out. Police in Dublin, east ofOakland, said Hammer was "blasting music" in a vehicle with expiredregistration and he was not the registered owner. "After asking Hammer who the registered owner was, he became very argumentative and refused to answer the officer's questions," police spokesman Herb Walters typed in an e-mail toCNN. Hammer was booked and released fromSanta Rita Jail in Dublin. A court date was scheduled; however, all charges were dropped in early March.[269][270] Hammer tweeted that he was not bitter and considered what happened "a teachable moment".[271][272][273][274]
In 1984, Burrell began attendingBible studies, joined a street ministry, and formed agospel rap group withJon Gibson known as the Holy Ghost Boy(s).[54] In 1986, Burrell andTramaine Hawkins performed with Gibson's band in concerts at various venues, such as the Beverly Theatre inBeverly Hills. Severalsongs were recorded together,[275]collaborating on "The Wall" from Gibson's albumChange of Heart (1988),[56] prior to Hammer's mainstream success.[60][64] This wasCCM's firstrap hit by ablue-eyed soul singer and/or duo.[63] Burrell also produced "Son of the King" at that time, releasing it on his debut albumFeel My Power (1986).
RaisedPentecostal, Hammer strayed from hisChristian faith during his success, before returning to ministry. His awareness of this can be found in a film he wrote and starred in calledPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990), in which he also plays thecharismatic preacher character named "Reverend Pressure".[88][93][224] Nonetheless, as a tribute to his faith, Hammervowed/promised to dedicate at least one song on each album to God.[276]
During 1991, Hammer was featured on the single "The Blood" from theBeBe & CeCe Winans album,Different Lifestyles. In 1992, the songpeaked at No. 8 on theChristian charts. Hammer later reaffirmed his beliefs in October 1997,[277] and began atelevision ministry calledMC Hammer and Friends on theTrinity Broadcasting Network, as well as appearing onPraise the Lord programs where he went public about his devotion to ministry as anordainedminister.[278][279][280] Hammerofficiated at the celebrity weddings of actorCorey Feldman and Susie Sprague on October 30, 2002[281][282] (as seen onVH1'sThe Surreal Life), and also atMötley Crüe'sVince Neil and Lia Gerardini's wedding in January 2005.[283]
During an interview on TBN (between 1997 and 1998), Hammer claimed he adopted the "MC" back into his name which now stood for 'Man of Christ'.[284][285] Hammer continued to preach while still making music, running a social media business andtelevision show, and devotes time to prison and youth ministries.[224] From 2009 to 2010, Hammer joinedJaeson Ma at acrusade in Asia. Minister and mentor to Ma for more than a decade, Hammer assisted and co-starred in his documentary film1040,[286] which explores the spread ofChristianity throughout Asia.[287]
Because of his commercial success during early stages ofhip hop music,BET named Hammer as the first "mainstream" rapper.[288] Hammer became a fixture of the television airwaves and the big screen, with his music being used in many popular shows, movies and commercials still to this day. Hammer appeared in major marketing campaigns for companies to the point that he was criticized as a "sellout",[192][193] including commercials forBritish Knights during the height of his career. The shoe company signed him to a $138 million deal.[194][195]
Hammer's impression on the music industry appeared almost as instantaneously asDigital Underground's rap "The Humpty Dance," which was released when Hammer was still early in his career and included the lyrics "People say ya look like M.C. Hammer oncrack, Humpty!", boasting about Hammer'sshowmanship versus Humpty Hump (Shock G)'s inability to match it in dance. Additionally, Hammer had severalcostly videos, two in particular were "Too Legit to Quit" or "2 Legit 2 Quit" (in which many celebrities appeared) and "Here Comes the Hammer".[99][289]
Hammer is well known for hisfashion style during the late 80s and early 90s. Hammer would tour, perform and record with hishype man 2 Bigg MC or Too Big (releasing a song in which he claimed "He's the King of the Hype").[290] This duo introduced the "shiny suit" and popularizedHammer pants to mainstream America, as seen in videos such as "(Hammer Hammer) They Put Me In A Mix", in which Hammer also claimed Too Big was the "King of Hype" and in an unspoken competition withFlavor Flav (hype man forPublic Enemy) during the height of their careers.[291][292]
Hammer also established a children's foundation, which first started in Hammer's own community, called Help The Children (HTC was named after and based on hissong by the same name which included a music video with a storyline from his filmPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie).[40] ASesame Street segment featuresElmo taking on the persona of Hammer; nicknaming himself "MC Elmo" and along with two backup singers they rap a song about the number five called "Five Jive".
In 1994, British TV presenterMark Lamarr interrupted Hammer repeatedly with Hammer's catch phrase ("Stop! Hammer Time!") in an interview filmed forThe Word, which he took in good humor. He claimed Hammer was a "living legend". It was also within this interview that Hammer explained the truth about his relationship with "gangsta rap" and that he was merely changing with the times, not holding onto his old image nor becoming a "hardcore gangsta".[293] By some accounts, this change contributed to his decline in popularity.[115][294]
In 2005, Hammer appeared in a commercial forNationwide Mutual Insurance Company which made a humorous reference to his career. First he is shown in his distinctive clothing with his dance troupe performing "U Can't Touch This" in front of a mansion representative of his former house with a monogram H on the gable. Then there is silence and a screen card saying "Fifteen Minutes Later" appears with a view of Hammer sadly sitting on the curb in front of the same house as a crane removes the monogram H and tow trucks pull away sports cars that were parked in front. After a large "Foreclosed" sign appears, thevoice-over said "Life comes at you fast. Be ready with Nationwide!"[295][296]
In 2006, Hammer's music catalog was sold to the music companyEvergreen/BMG for nearly $3 million. Evergreen explained that the collection was "some of the best-selling and most popular rap songs of all time". Speaking forEvergreen Copyrights,David Schulhof stated the songs "will emerge as a perfect fit for licensing in movies, television shows, and corporate advertising".[297] According toVH1, "Hammer was on the money. Hit singles and videos like "U Can't Touch This" and "Too Legit To Quit" created a template of lavish performance values that many rap artists still follow today".
In March 2009,Ellen DeGeneres made plans for Hammer to be on her show (The Ellen DeGeneres Show) after he contacted her via Twitter.[298][299] Hammer continued to give media interviews, such as being a guest onChelsea Lately on June 16, 2009. There he discussed his relationship withVanilla Ice, his stint onThe Surreal Life, his showHammertime, his family, his mansion, about him being in shape, his positive financial status and other "colorful topics" (subliminal jokes) regarding his baggy pants.[300][301][302]
In 2010,Rick Ross released "MC Hammer" from theTeflon Don album whichsamples Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit". To celebrate Hammer's 50th birthday,San Francisco game makerZynga offered up some recent player'sDraw Something drawings from his fans.[303] Other sources/services offered "props" on behalf of his special occasion and to show appreciation for his memorable persona/gimmicks used during the peak of his career.[304]
In 2012,Slaughterhouse released asingle called "Hammer Dance", along with avideo. "Hammer Dance" was thelead single from theWelcome to: Our House album. During the2013 Oakland Athletics season, the "2 Legit 2 Quit" music video played on theDiamond Vision in between innings, usually during the middle of the 8th inning. The video featured prominent players from theSan Francisco Bay Area's sports championships, such as formerA's playersJose Canseco andhall of fame inducteeRickey Henderson. Hammer appeared in aCheetos commercial during theSuper Bowl in 2020, the 30th anniversary of "U Can't Touch This".[305][306]
In January 2024, a storage unit was sold at auction containing what the buyer of the storage unit reported as 30 master tapes containing at least 14 unreleased tracks recorded during Hammer's time at Death Row Records. The former Death Row Records producer of these tapes, Craig Williams, stated that he believes the tapes are authentic. It is unclear what will become of these songs or who legally owns these recordings.[307][308]
Hammer's career in rap and entertainment has influenced and been influenced by such artists as:Kool Moe Dee;Big Daddy Kane;James Brown;Prince;Michael Jackson;Kurtis Blow;Earth, Wind & Fire;Rick James;Doug E. Fresh, who joined Hammer's Bust It Records label in 1992 and issued the albumDoin' What I Gotta Do with the track "Bustin' Out (On Funk)" sampling theRick James single "Bustin' Out";Run-DMC; andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Hammer was followed by related musicians such asWill Smith,DC Talk,BB Jay,Diddy (aka "Puffy" or "Puff Daddy"),Young MC,B Angie B,M.C. Brains,MC Breed,Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch,C+C Music Factory,Mystikal,Bell Biv DeVoe,Kris Kross, Ho Frat Hoo!,[309][310] andOaktown's 357. Hammer also influenced the music industry withpop culture catchphrases and slang.[311]
Some critics complained of a lack of originality in Hammer's early productions.Entertainment Weekly described "U Can't Touch This" as 'shamelessly copying its propulsive riff from Rick James ("Super Freak"). Hammer admits, "When I look at Puffy with a choir, I say, 'Sure that's a take-off of what I do."[67] Notablefeuds and beefs Hammer had with other rappers included:LL Cool J,[312][313]Vanilla Ice,[314][315][316]Too Short,[317]Redman,[318][319]3rd Bass,[320][321][322]Jay-Z,[323][324]Eminem,[325][326]A Tribe Called Quest,[327][328] and Run-DMC.[329] Severaldiss tracks were featured on his albums, includingLet's Get It Started andThe Funky Headhunter.
Throughout the years, Hammer has been awarded for his music, videos andchoreography. He has sold more than50 million records worldwide.[330] He has won threeGrammy Awards (one withRick James and Alonzo Miller) forBest Rhythm and Blues Song (1990),Best Rap Solo (1990) andBest Music Video: Long Form (1990) taken fromPlease Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie. He also received eightAmerican Music Awards, aPeople's Choice Award, anNAACP Image Awards and theBillboardDiamond Award (the first for a hip hop artist).[8][9][90]
TheInternational Album of the Year validated Hammer's talent as a world-class entertainer.[91] Additionally, Hammer was also honored with aSoul Train Music Award (Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year) in 1991. He has also been a presenter/performer at Soul Train's Music Awards several times, including The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1991), The 9th Annual Soul Train Music Awards (1995) and Soul Train's 25th Anniversary (1995).[331] Hammer appeared on gospel music'sStellar Awards show in 1997 and spoke of his renewed commitment to God. In the same interview, he promised to unveil the "second leg" of his career.[40] During the 2005MTV Video Music Awards, Hammer made a surprise appearance in the middle of the show with best friendJermaine Jackson.[332]
Hammer gave his support toWarren Beatty by attending the 36thAFI Life Achievement Awards on June 12, 2008.[333] In August 2008, at theWorld Hip Hop Dance Championship, Hammer won a Living Legends of Hip Hop Award from Hip Hop International inLas Vegas.[199][334]
Hammer,Gary Vaynerchuk,Shaquille O'Neal andRick Sanchez (host) celebrated the Best ofTwitter inBrooklyn at the firstShorty Awards on February 11, 2009, which honored the top short-form content creators on Twitter.[335] In September 2009, Hammer made the "accomplishment appearance" inZombie Apocalypse for thedownloadableSmash TV/Left 4 Deadhybrid for theXbox 360.[336] Hammer attended the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards which aired onBET November 29, 2009.[337]
Hammer (along withAlyssa Milano and others) was a member of panel judges for the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences at theSecond Annual Shorty Awards on January 5, 2010. Hammer opened the 2010BET Hip Hop Awards performing "2 Legit 2 Quit" inAtlanta along withRick Ross,Diddy andDJ Khaled (all performing together during "MC Hammer" from theTeflon Don album as well) on October 2 (televised October 12).[288][338][339][340]
With over 2.6 million Twitter followers in 2010, his contribution to social media and as a co-founder of his own Internet businesses (such as DanceJam.com), Hammer was announced as the recipient of the first Gravity Summit Social Media Marketer of the Year Award. The award was presented to him at the 3rd Annual Gravity Summit on February 22, 2011, at theUCLA Covel Commons.[341][342]
At the40th American Music Awards in November 2012, Hammer danced to amashup of "Gangnam Style" and "2 Legit 2 Quit" along with South Korean pop starPsy, both wearing his signatureHammer pants.[343][344] Thecollaboration was released oniTunes.[345] The performance idea with Hammer came from Psy's management.[346][347] They both performed it together again duringDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on December 31, 2012.
Hammer received theGeorge and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement (not to be confused with theGershwin Prize), presented during theUCLA Spring Sing inPauley Pavilion on May 17, 2013.[348]
Notable tours and concerts include: A Spring Affair Tour (1989),Summer Jam '89 (1989),Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em World Tour (1990 & 1991),Lawlor Events Center atUniversity of Nevada, Reno (1990–2017),Too Legit to Quit World Tour (1992),Red, White and Boom (2003),The Bamboozle Festival (2007),Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (2008–2013),McKay Events Center[83] withVanilla Ice (2009),Illinois State Fair withBoyz II Men (2011),MusicFest (2012), Jack's Seventh Show[349] atVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre (2012),Kool & the Gang Superjam atOutside Lands (2014), Hammer'sAll-starHouse Party Tour (2019) and 80's Weekend #9 atMicrosoft Theater (2020).[350][351][352][353]
West Coast rapper whose upbeat, pop-friendly style made him hip-hop's first multi-platinum, crossover superstar.
