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MC Hammer

Data updated on 2025-04-24 09:05:54 UTC
There had been hit rap singles and albums before him, but MC Hammer was the man who truly brought rap music to a mass pop audience. Armed with a flamboyant wardrobe (particularly his trademark baggy parachute pants) and a raft of sampled hooks lifted straight from their sources, Hammer's talents as a dancer and showman far exceeded his technique as an MC. Still, he had an ear for catchy source material, and that helped his second album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, become the best-selling rap album of all time. Even if he was never able to duplicate that level of success, and even if his street credibility was virtually non-existent, Hammer still broke down numerous doors for rap music in the mainstream, demonstrating that hip-hop had the potential for blockbuster success in the marketplace.

MC Hammer was born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California on March 30, 1962. A member of a strongly religious family, he landed a job as a bat/ball boy for the Oakland Athletics baseball team, where he entertained fans by dancing during breaks in the game, and earned the nickname "Hammer" for his resemblance to all-time home run leader "Hammerin'" Hank Aaron. An aspiring ballplayer himself, he failed to catch on with a professional organization following high school, and enlisted in the Navy for three years. Long a fan of funk and soul, he became interested in hip-hop upon returning to civilian life, and began performing in local clubs; with the financial help of several Athletics players, he also started his own record label, Bustin' Records, and recorded a couple of popular local singles. With ex-Con Funk Shun mastermind Felton Pilate producing, Hammer recorded an album titled Feel My Power in 1987. After impressing a Capitol Records executive with his already elaborate live show, he was signed to a multi-album deal, the first of which was a revamped version of Feel My Power retitled Let's Get It Started. Producing an R&B hit in "Turn This Mutha Out," Let's Get It Started went double platinum.

Still, nothing could have foreshadowed the phenomenon of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, the 1990-released follow-up. Its first single, "U Can't Touch This," blatantly copped most of its hooks from Rick James' funk classic "Super Freak," yet Hammer's added catch phrases (and young listeners' unfamiliarity with the original song) helped make it a smash. "U Can't Touch This" dominated radio and MTV during 1990 in a way few rap singles ever had, and won two Grammys (Best R&B Song, Best Solo Rap Performance); save for a quirk in its release format -- it was only available as a 12", which cut down on its sales -- it would easily have been the first rap single to top the Billboard pop chart. The next two singles, "Have You Seen Her" (a flat-out cover of the Chi-Lites' '70s soul ballad) and "Pray" (built on the keyboard hook from Prince's "When Doves Cry"), followed "U Can't Touch This" into the Top Ten, eventually pushing sales of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em past the ten-million mark and making it the number one album of the year. Still, a backlash was growing against Hammer's frequent borrowing (some said theft) of classic hooks for his own hits; hip-hop purists also railed about his often simplistic, repetitive lyrics (indeed, "Pray" set a new record for the number of times its title was repeated during the song, at well over 100). The charges of rank commercialism weren't lessened by the merchandising machine that soon kicked in: endorsement deals, MC Hammer dolls, even a Saturday morning cartoon show.

Seeking to counteract the criticism, Hammer dropped the "MC" from his name and used more live instrumentation on his 1991 follow-up album, Too Legit to Quit. While it sold very well (over three million copies) and produced a sizable hit in the title track, Hammer's stage show had become as lavish as his lifestyle; loaded with singers, dancers, and backup musicians, the supporting concert tour was too expensive for the album's sales to finance, and it was canceled partway through. Hammer scored his last big hit with "Addams Groove," the theme to the film version of The Addams Family, and then paused to reconsider his approach. In 1994, he returned with The Funky Headhunter, a harder-edged, more aggressive record that went gold, but failed to win him a new audience among hardcore hip-hop fans. On 1995's Inside Out, Hammer seemed unsure of whether he wanted to appeal to pop or rap audiences; the album flopped, and Hammer was let out of his contract. In 1996, Hammer filed for bankruptcy, his taste for luxury having gotten the better of his dwindling income; his mansion was sold at a fraction of its cost. The crisis prompted a religious reawakening, and he began to write new material with an emphasis on spirituality and family. The album Family Affair was slated for release on Hammer's own Oaktown Records label, but plans were aborted at the last minute; only 1,000 copies were pressed, and were never distributed nationally, save for limited Internet downloads. Several projects were rumored to be in the works, including another album (War Chest: Turn of the Century) and a soundtrack to the film Return to Glory: The Powerful Stirring of the Black Man, but none ever appeared. Finally, Hammer released a new album, the patriotic-themed Active Duty, through his own WorldHit label in late 2001. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

Total plays

554.4 million
Updated on 2025-04-24

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

3,335,657

Followers

721,703

Top Cities

  1. Chile
    57,228 listeners
  2. Australia
    44,612 listeners
  3. Australia
    37,903 listeners
  4. Brazil
    37,633 listeners
  5. Mexico
    41,976 listeners

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
U Can't Touch This
U Can't Touch This
472,414,358 4:17 1990-02-20
2 Legit 2 Quit
2 Legit 2 Quit
23,074,459 5:34 1991-01-01
Have You Seen Her
Have You Seen Her
9,593,556 4:43 1990-02-20
We're All In The Same Gang
We're All In The Same Gang
7,310,676 4:58 2013-10-08
Gangnam Style / 2 Legit 2 Quit Mashup
Gangnam Style / 2 Legit 2 Quit Mashup
6,325,100 3:58 2012-01-01
Addams Groove
Addams Groove
5,908,085 4:00 1996-10-01
Pray
Pray
4,181,982 5:13 1990-02-20
Here Comes The Hammer
Here Comes The Hammer
3,181,191 4:32 1990-02-20
Pumps and a Bump
Pumps and a Bump
3,172,110 5:05 1994-03-01
Let's Get It Started
Let's Get It Started
2,176,149 4:09 1988-01-01
Turn This Mutha Out
Turn This Mutha Out
2,010,564 4:44 1996-10-01
Do Not Pass Me By
Do Not Pass Me By
907,471 5:31 1991-01-01
Pump It Up (Here's The News)
Pump It Up (Here's The News)
790,550 4:35 1988-01-01
Intro: Turn This Mutha Out
Intro: Turn This Mutha Out
773,767 2:20 1988-01-01
Dancin' Machine
Dancin' Machine
703,118 2:56 1990-02-20
It's All Good
It's All Good
579,607 4:11 1994-03-01
Yo!! Sweetness
Yo!! Sweetness
571,065 4:36 1990-02-20
U Can't Touch This - Beam vs. Cyrus Radio Mix
U Can't Touch This - Beam vs. Cyrus Radio Mix
561,816 3:37 1990-01-01
On Your Face
On Your Face
505,815 4:33 1990-02-20
This Is The Way We Roll
This Is The Way We Roll
502,436 5:54 1991-01-01
Ring 'Em
Ring 'Em
500,364 4:19 1988-01-01
They Put Me In The Mix
They Put Me In The Mix
428,473 3:29 1988-01-01
Gaining Momentum
Gaining Momentum
407,127 5:41 1991-01-01
Help The Children
Help The Children
395,013 5:18 1990-02-20
Oaktown
Oaktown
303,448 4:17 1994-03-01
Wanna Be the Man (feat. MC Hammer)
Wanna Be the Man (feat. MC Hammer)
294,450 4:21 1990-01-01
Black Is Black
Black Is Black
271,885 4:32 1990-02-20
Crime Story
Crime Story
270,906 5:09 1990-02-20
Don't Stop
Don't Stop
254,321 5:34 1994-03-01
The Blood
The Blood
235,995 4:54 1991-01-01
Lets Go Deeper
Lets Go Deeper
230,903 5:17 1990-02-20
Feel My Power
Feel My Power
210,310 3:07 1988-01-01
It's Getting Hot - Town Bizznezz Remix
It's Getting Hot - Town Bizznezz Remix
209,917 7:18 2005-06-21
Count It Off
Count It Off
203,251 5:08 1991-01-01
Eurocop
Eurocop
194,347 4:19 2013-02-06
Living In A World Like This
Living In A World Like This
194,139 5:29 1991-01-01
She's Soft And Wet
She's Soft And Wet
185,555 3:26 1990-02-20
Work This
Work This
183,622 5:03 1990-02-20
Sultry Funk
Sultry Funk
176,474 4:59 1995-12-09
That's What I Said
That's What I Said
168,611 3:38 1988-01-01
Find Yourself A Friend
Find Yourself A Friend
163,170 3:58 1991-01-01
Goin' up Yonder
Goin' up Yonder
158,957 7:31 1995-12-09
For the Love of You (feat. MC Hammer)
For the Love of You (feat. MC Hammer)
150,998 4:27 1990-01-01
Tell Me
Tell Me
140,869 6:39 1991-01-01
Cold Go M.C. Hammer
Cold Go M.C. Hammer
136,090 4:06 1988-01-01
Releasing Some Pressure
Releasing Some Pressure
131,678 5:04 1991-01-01
Good To Go
Good To Go
129,877 4:54 1991-01-01
Pumps and a Bump (Reprise) - Bump Teddy Bump
Pumps and a Bump (Reprise) - Bump Teddy Bump
128,095 6:38 1994-03-01
Brothers Hang On
Brothers Hang On
125,753 7:12 1991-01-01
I Got The Music
I Got The Music
124,445 3:34 2013-01-11
Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
124,445 3:24 2015-06-18
I Got the Music
I Got the Music
124,445 3:34 2018-12-19
This Is The Way We Roll - Radio Edit
This Is The Way We Roll - Radio Edit
121,862 4:41 2003-01-01
Somethin' for the O.G.'s
Somethin' for the O.G.'s
116,507 4:15 1994-03-01
Son Of The King
Son Of The King
102,720 3:53 1988-01-01
U Can't Touch This - Karaoke Version
U Can't Touch This - Karaoke Version
101,440 4:23 1990-01-01
One Mo' Time
One Mo' Time
100,957 4:08 1994-03-01
Luv-N-Happiness
Luv-N-Happiness
98,701 4:53 1995-12-09
It's Gone
It's Gone
95,157 3:56 1988-01-01
Dont Worry
Dont Worry
94,079 3:32 2011-05-05
Bustin' Loose
Bustin' Loose
84,888 4:54 1995-12-09
You're Being Served
You're Being Served
83,072 4:45 1988-01-01
Keep On
Keep On
82,284 5:17 1995-12-09
Street Soldiers
Street Soldiers
75,633 5:01 1991-01-01
Do Not Pass Me By - Edit
Do Not Pass Me By - Edit
74,926 5:02 2003-01-01
Lovehold
Lovehold
70,360 4:56 1991-01-01
Break 'Em off Somethin' Proper
Break 'Em off Somethin' Proper
58,795 4:18 1994-03-01
He Keeps Doing Great Things for Me
He Keeps Doing Great Things for Me
50,841 6:40 1995-12-09
Time to Go
Time to Go
48,136 6:15 2012-10-12
The Wall (feat. MC Hammer)
The Wall (feat. MC Hammer)
43,426 4:39 1988-01-01
Anything Goes on the Dance Floor
Anything Goes on the Dance Floor
42,708 5:42 1995-12-09
Clap Yo' Hands
Clap Yo' Hands
37,506 3:48 1994-03-01
The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter
37,059 3:46 1994-03-01
Don't Fight the Feelin'
Don't Fight the Feelin'
31,917 3:40 1994-03-01
I Hope Things Change
I Hope Things Change
29,448 5:02 1995-12-09
It's All That
It's All That
29,307 3:57 1994-03-01
Sanctified Slide
Sanctified Slide
27,508 4:23 2000-01-05
Everything Is Alright
Everything Is Alright
27,474 3:50 1995-12-09
Sleepin' on the Master Plan
Sleepin' on the Master Plan
27,394 4:51 1994-03-01
Intro
Intro
27,155 2:12 1994-03-01
U Can't Touch This (feat. MC Hammer) - Flashrider Remix
U Can't Touch This (feat. MC Hammer) - Flashrider Remix
26,265 4:10 2016-07-15
Somethin' 'Bout the Goldie in Me
Somethin' 'Bout the Goldie in Me
25,878 3:49 1994-03-01
Running
Running
25,480 4:05 2000-01-05
Nothing but Love - A Song for Eazy
Nothing but Love - A Song for Eazy
24,669 5:49 1995-12-09
Pray - Slam The Hammer Mix
Pray - Slam The Hammer Mix
22,367 8:05 1990-01-01
Help Lord (Won't You Come)
Help Lord (Won't You Come)
22,319 3:45 1994-03-01
A Brighter Day
A Brighter Day
21,582 5:35 1995-12-09
I Need That Number
I Need That Number
19,318 5:06 1995-12-09
U Can't Touch This - Flashrider Remix
U Can't Touch This - Flashrider Remix
17,477 7:02 2003-09-30
Wanna Be the Man (feat. MC Hammer)
Wanna Be the Man (feat. MC Hammer)
17,135 1:43 2020-08-21
U Can't Touch This - Jens O. Remix
U Can't Touch This - Jens O. Remix
16,658 7:12 2003-09-30
Will To Live Fusion
Will To Live Fusion
14,842 5:37 2011-05-05
Pray - Jam The Hammer Mix
Pray - Jam The Hammer Mix
11,040 5:03 1990-01-01
So Long
So Long
10,976 5:51 2011-07-12
Dont Worry
Dont Worry
10,600 3:34 2012-11-26
Don't Worry
Don't Worry
10,600 3:34 2015-11-16
Pray - Hit Um Hard Mix
Pray - Hit Um Hard Mix
6,092 5:24 1990-01-01
U Can't Touch This - Beam vs. Cyrus Mix
U Can't Touch This - Beam vs. Cyrus Mix
5,220 6:45 2003-09-30
Pray - Slam The Hammer Piano Dub
Pray - Slam The Hammer Piano Dub
4,944 5:29 1990-01-01
Love And Inspiration Instrumental
Love And Inspiration Instrumental
3,850 5:36 2012-11-26
Pray - Nail Um Down Chant
Pray - Nail Um Down Chant
3,652 4:58 1990-01-01
Tell My Story
Tell My Story
3,637 6:51 2012-10-12
What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
2,865 7:48 2012-10-12
Death of a King
Death of a King
1,702 5:33 2016-06-03
B-Midtones
B-Midtones
1,214 4:07 2009-06-01

New releases

Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
2015-06-19
[Red Ribbon Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.]
Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
Celebrating World Music Day (I Got The Music)
2015-06-18
[Red Ribbon Entertainment Pvt Ltd]
I Got The Music
I Got The Music
2013-11-21
[Red Ribbon Entertainment Pvt Ltd]
I Got The Music
I Got The Music
2013-01-11
[Red Ribbon Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.]
Will To Live
Will To Live
2011-05-05
[Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd.]
2 Legit 2 Quit (Karaoke Version)
2 Legit 2 Quit (Karaoke Version)
2010-01-01
[Capitol Records]
U Can't Touch This: The Collection
U Can't Touch This: The Collection
2003-01-01
[EMI Gold]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1996-10-01
[EMI/EMI Records (USA)]
Inside Out
Inside Out
1995-12-09
[Giant]
The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter
1994-03-01
[Giant]
Too Legit To Quit
Too Legit To Quit
1991-01-01
[Capitol Records]
Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
1990-02-20
[EMI/EMI Records (USA)]
Pray
Pray
1990-01-01
[CAPITOL CATALOG MKT (C92)]
U Can't Touch This (Karaoke Version)
U Can't Touch This (Karaoke Version)
1990-01-01
[Capitol Records]
U Can'T Touch This
U Can'T Touch This
1990-01-01
[Capitol Records]
Let's Get It Started
Let's Get It Started
1988-01-01
[EMI/EMI Records (USA)]