MC Hammer, born as Stanley Kirk Burrell, is a Bay Area rapper and entertainer, globally recognized for his iconic baggy pants, flashy dance moves, and catchy rap/pop tunes. He is accredited for bringing rap music into the mainstream arena in the late 80s and early 90s. During the peak of his career, MC Hammer sold over 50 million albums worldwide and won three Grammy Awards. In this article, we’ll take a look at his rise to fame, his most famous albums, and his most memorable songs.
Early Start in Music: MC Hammer's music career started in the mid-80s as a prompt street performer and dancer in Oakland, where he was discovered and mentored by hip-hop music executive Felton Pilate. Pilate helped him signed his earliest deal, as a member of the rap music group, Holy Ghost Boys. He released his debut album Feel My Power under his stage moniker ‘MC Hammer’ in 1987, which was relatively successful in the west coast’s underground hip-hop scene.
Breakthrough Albums: MC Hammer released his most famous album, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt 'Em in 1990 that helped him carve his way into the mainstream world by becoming the first hip-hop artist to go diamond by selling over ten million copies. In 1991 he followed his tremendous success with the album, Too Legit to Quit, which added more hits to his repertoire, including ‘Addams Groove’ and the title track. MC Hammer's albums were celebrated because of their blend of pop and rap and their catchy beats.
Sensational Songs: MC Hammer's most famous songs are without a doubt ‘U Can’t Touch This’ and ‘2 Legit 2 Quit’. ‘U Can't Touch This’ was released in 1990 and became an instant classic with its iconic ‘stop, hammer time' chorus and the unforgettable video. The song sampled the 1981 Rick James classic ‘Super Freak’ and won 2 Grammy Awards. ‘2 Legit 2 Quit’ was released in 1991 and had a catchy hook that had everyone singing along. It featured several famous cameos, including Queen Latifah, James Brown, and Kris Kross.
Musical Style and Influences: MC Hammer was influenced by the OGs of rap music, such as Run DMC, LL Cool J, and Whodini. Hammer’s music was unique and still carried the elements of his gospel roots in his tracks, plus, he was always experimenting with different sounds and incorporating other genres into his music. Throughout his career, Hammer was largely known for his outgoing personality, amazing dance moves, and eccentric fashion style.
Conclusion: MC Hammer’s contribution to hip-hop music and pop culture cannot be ignored. His infectious beats, amazing dance moves, and larger than life personality transformed rap music, making it more marketable to mainstream America. His songs will forever be the soundtrack of the 90s, and his influence will continue to inspire generations to come. We hope this article has given you an insight into the remarkable journey of one of the pioneers of rap music and that you will continue to enjoy his music for years to come!
