MC Hammer

MC Hammer, born on March 30, 1962 in Oakland, California, started his music career after a failed attempt at pursuing baseball. He gained fame with his unique dancing skills and self-promotion, reaching stardom with the hit album 'Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em' in 1990.

At the age of 11, Stanley Burrell was offered a job as the batboy for the Oakland A's after impressing the owner, Charlie Finley. He received the nickname 'The Hammer' from Reggie Jackson, who thought he resembled 'Hammerin' Hank Aaron'. This event would later play a significant role in his music career.

After being discouraged by his studies and failing to secure a spot in professional baseball, MC Hammer enlisted in the United States Navy for three years. He served as a petty officer third class aviation store keeper.

In August 1986, MC Hammer released his first full-length album titled Feel My Power. With the help of his wife Stephanie, the album sold 60,000 copies and caught the attention of Capitol Records.

MC Hammer released his debut album Feel My Power in 1987 on his own record label, Bust It Productions, with financial support from two Oakland A's players. He was heavily involved in the recording, performing, marketing, and promotion of the album.

In 1988, MC Hammer signed a $10 million joint venture deal with Capitol Records, where he invested his $750,000 advance back into his label. Capitol re-released his album 'Feel My Power' as 'Let’s Get It Started', which included hit singles like 'Turn This Mutha Out' and 'Let’s Get It Started', propelling Hammer to fame in the hip-hop industry.

MC Hammer performed 'Pump It Up', 'Turn This Mutha Out', 'Let's Get It Started', and 'They Put Me in the Mix' during Showtime at the Apollo on September 16, 1989. These singles were the most popular from his re-issued first record with Capitol Records.

MC Hammer's third album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, was released on February 12, 1990. It included the successful single 'U Can't Touch This' which became a No. 1 success for 21 weeks.

In January 1991, MC Hammer continued his success by hitting the Top 40 with 'Here Comes The Hammer'. He also won five American Music Awards and received multiple nominations.

In February 1991, MC Hammer won three Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Solo Performance and Best R&B Song for 'U Can't Touch This'. He was also nominated for Album of the Year and Record of the Year.

In September 1991, MC Hammer's videos for 'Pray' and 'Here Comes The Hammer' were nominated for MTV Video Music Awards in different categories.

In November 1991, MC Hammer achieved success by hitting the Top 40 with his song '2 Legit 2 Quit'.

In December 1991, MC Hammer reached the Top 10 with '2 Legit 2 Quit' and also hit the Top 40 with 'Addams Groove'. He was recognized by ARC Weekly as the No. 43 Singles Artist of 1991.

In January 1992, MC Hammer won an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.

In February 1992, MC Hammer was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance for the song 'Here Comes The Hammer'.

In September 1992, MC Hammer was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards for the music video 'Addams Groove' and for Best Choreography in '2 Legit 2 Quit'.

In January 1993, MC Hammer was nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Solo Performance for 'Addams Groove' and Best Music Video: Long Form for 'Hammerin' Home'.

In March 1994, MC Hammer's song 'It's All Good' hit the Top 40 charts.

In April 1994, MC Hammer's song 'Pumps and a Bump' entered the Top 40 charts.

In September 1994, MC Hammer was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography for the song 'Pumps and a Bump'.

Bust It Records scored an unexpected hit in 1995 with a novelty song titled "Must Be the Money" by NFL superstar Deion Sanders.

In 1996, MC Hammer famously filed for bankruptcy despite having an estimated personal worth of over $30 million in the early 1990s. This event marked a significant financial downfall for the artist.

In 1997, MC Hammer appeared on gospel music's Stellar Awards show, where he expressed his renewed commitment to God and hinted at a new phase in his career.

MC Hammer continued to struggle with album sales with the release of 'Too Tight' in 1998. Despite exploring different genres like pop and gospel, his later albums failed to achieve significant commercial success.

In 1999, MC Hammer's 'U Can't Touch This' was ranked at No. 71 on MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made list.

In October 2000, MC Hammer's 'U Can't Touch This' was listed at No. 88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs.

On December 19, 2001, VH1 aired the movie Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story, produced by MC Hammer. The biopic depicts the rise and fall of the artist and became one of the highest-rated original movies in VH1's history.

In 2002, M.C. Hammer signed a book contract with Simon & Schuster for an inspirational book called Enemies of the Father, but the book was never submitted, leading to a lawsuit.

In April 2003, MC Hammer was placed at No. 44 on VH1's 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists list.

In 2004, MC Hammer was ranked as the No. 167 Top Pop Artist of the Past 25 Years.

In August 2005, MC Hammer's single 'U Can't Touch This' was certified gold.

Songs released digitally and via web in 2006 from Look Look Look, with videos originally via Myspace.

In April 2007, MC Hammer was ranked as the No. 7 'Best Dancer Of All Time' by BET.

In December 2007, 'U Can't Touch This' by MC Hammer was ranked at No. 16 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the 90s.

On June 12, 2008, MC Hammer attended the 36th AFI Life Achievement Awards to support Warren Beatty, showcasing his presence and recognition in the entertainment industry.

M.C. Hammer and Ed McMahon appeared in a commercial for Cash4Gold during Super Bowl XLIII.

On February 11, 2009, MC Hammer celebrated the Best of Twitter at the first Shorty Awards in Brooklyn, recognizing top short-form content creators on the platform.

M.C. Hammer's reality show 'Hammertime' debuted on A&E, focusing on his personal, business, and family life.

In January 2010, MC Hammer served as a panel judge for the Real-Time Academy of Short Form Arts & Sciences at the Second Annual Shorty Awards, highlighting his involvement in social media.

M.C. Hammer was a voice actor on an episode of Glenn Martin, DDS titled 'Step-Brother' alongside Betty White.

On September 28, 2010, M.C. Hammer headlined at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference for an official after-hours party.

Non-album single released online on October 31, 2010 with video.

Non-album track premiered on The Oprah Winfrey Show via Flipboard on February 3, 2011 without video.

On February 22, 2011, MC Hammer was recognized as the recipient of the first Gravity Summit Social Media Marketer of the Year Award, acknowledging his impact on social media and internet businesses.

The U.S. government filed a lawsuit against Hammer for unpaid taxes from 1996 and 1997 amounting to $779,585. Despite Hammer's claims of settling the debt, the District Court ruled against him.

At the 40th American Music Awards in November 2012, MC Hammer collaborated with Psy, performing a mashup of 'Gangnam Style' and '2 Legit 2 Quit', showcasing his enduring influence in the music industry.

On May 17, 2013, MC Hammer received the George and Ira Gershwin Award for Lifetime Musical Achievement, underscoring his lasting impact and contribution to music.

The entry on BlackPast.org discusses the life of Stanley Kirk Burrell, also known as M.C. Hammer, who was born in 1962. It provides information about his background and contributions to African American history.

Hammer released 'All in My Mind' in early 2014 with his newly formed group Oakland Fight Club, featuring Mistah F.A.B.

M.C. Hammer appeared on Beat Shazam on Fox in June 2017.

MC Hammer's tour named Hammer's All-star House Party Tour in 2019.

M.C. Hammer appeared on The Greatest AtHome Videos via Zoom in September 2020.

MC Hammer's impact on the music industry through Bust-It Records in Oakland is highlighted as a template for success.