Today In History: MC Hammer

[nexusgroove]

MC HAMMER

Born Stanley Burrell in 1962 in Oakland, Calif., pop rapper MC Hammer grew up in the ghetto, where his religious family often struggled to make ends meet. His big break came when he landed a job as ball-boy for the Oakland A's; his attention-getting sideline dances drew praise from the team, who encouraged him to go into entertainment and bankrolled his early ventures. Hammer recorded a dance-oriented rap album, Feel My Power, in 1987 for a local independent label, and sold it out of the trunk of his car and in inner city record stores. Through word of mouth and numerous club appearances -- always with a team of highly trained dancers -- the album sold tens of thousands of copies, earning him a major-label deal with Capitol.

Hammer's 1988 debut, Let's Get It Started, sold well, paving the way for his massive breakthrough effort, Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em. Featuring the megasingle "U Can't Touch This" (based on a loop from Rick James' "Superfreak") and the Top 40 hit "Pray."

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em sold millions of copies, establishing MC Hammer as the most popular hip-hop artist of the era, despite claims by music critics and other rappers that his musical and lyrical talents were minimal. (Few disagreed, however, that Hammer was an excellent dancer -- he was renowned for concerts and TV appearances that featured elaborately choreographed productions involving dozens of dancers, with whom he trained hours each day.) For 1991's Too Legit to Quit Hammer dropped the "MC" from his name, but kept his trademark wholesome pop-rap sound which had won over millions of fans worldwide. The title single became his second big smash, though the backlash against the upbeat rapper was growing steadily. Sensing that his popularity was waning, Hammer scored a final hit with the theme to the Addams Family movie, then left music to revamp his image, working in the meantime as a boxing promoter, cartoon superhero and all-around celebrity.

In 1994 the "new" Hammer returned with The Funky Headhunter (a gangsta rap album) and a rebellious ghetto image which drew only greater criticism from legitimate gansta rappers and urban music critics. Though The Funky Headhunter briefly peaked at No. 2 and went gold, Hammer quickly abandoned his look and returned to pop-rap with 1995's Inside Out. After declaring bankruptcy in 1997, Hammer publicly announced that he would take responsibility for his past actions and from now on would use his musical talents, such as they are, to praise God and emphasize traditional family values.

Hammer's latest album Family Affair, was released in 1998

[jeffy1]

very bad accountant

[kaysersoze]

very bad accountant

...not to mention the blood sucking posse....