Hammer's mansion was sold for a fraction of its former price. "My priorities were out of order", he told Ebony. He claimed, "My priorities should have always been God, family, community, and then business. Instead they had been business, business, and business". Along with Felton Pilate and other group members, Rick James sued Hammer for infringement of copyright, 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 record was earning. By the late 1990s, though, Hammer seemed to stabilize himself and made himself ready to undertake new projects.
In 1992, Hammer had admitted in depositions and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes The Hammer" from a Christian recording artist in Dallas, Texas named Kevin Christian. Christian had filed a 16 million dollar lawsuit against Hammer for copyright infringement for 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 with Capitol Records in 1994. The terms of the settlement remain sealed. Hammer settled with Christian the following year.
In 1997, just prior to beginning his ministry, M.C. Hammer (who by that time had re-adopted the "M.C.") was the subject of an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the VH1 series Behind the Music (music from his album V Inside Out was featured in this documentary). 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'. He would go on to express a similar point in other interviews as well.
During numerous interviews on radio stations and television channels throughout the years to come, Hammer has been questioned about his bankruptcy. For example, during an interview by WKQI-FM (95.5) for the promotion of his "Pioneers Of Hip Hop 2009" gig at the Fox Theatre (Detroit, Michigan) which featured 2 Live Crew, Naughty by Nature, Too Short, Biz Markie & Roxanne Shanté, Hammer was asked about his finances by the "Mojo in the Morning" host. Hammer responded on Twitter that Mojo was a 'coward' and threatened to cancel commercials for his upcoming show.
Personal life
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. US$12 million of this total was used to have his Xanadu-like home built in Fremont, California, 30 miles (50 km) south of where he grew up. Jet estimated that Hammer employed 200 people, with an annual payroll of US$6.8 million. He currently resides in a large ranch-style abode situated on a two-acre corner lot in Tracy, California with his wife Stephanie of 25 years (whom he met at a church revival meeting and married December 21, 1985 and their five children: three boys (Bobby, Jeremiah, Sammy) and two girls (Sarah, A'keiba), along with his nephew (Jamaris) and cousin (Marv).
Hammer frequently posts about his life and activities on his blog "Look Look Look," as well as other social websites such as Facebook, Myspace and Twitter (being one of the earliest celebs to contribute and join).
In March 2009, Ellen DeGeneres made plans for Hammer to be on her show (The Ellen DeGeneres Show) via communication with Twitter. As a result of his popularity with the site, he has been considered a "Tweeter star".
On September 28, 2010, M.C. Hammer headlined at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference for an official after-hours party.
M.C. Hammer returned to Oprah Winfrey's 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, YouTube and Twitter), and devices such as iPad and ZAGGmate. He also explained again 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 this "Whatever Happened to M.C. Hammer" episode, he discussed his current home, family and work life as well.
In 2011, Hammer will perform at the Gathering of the Juggalos.
Christian beliefs and pastoral ministry
In 1984, Burrell began attending Bible studies, joined a street ministry, and formed a gospel rap group known as the Holy Ghost Boys featuring Jon Gibson, another musician interested in Contemporary Christian music. In 1986, Burrell, along with Tramaine Hawkins, performed with Jon's band doing several concerts in various halls such as the Beverly Theatre in Beverly Hills and recording several rap songs. They collaborated on Gibson's 1988 album (Change of Heart) for a gospel-charged rap "This Wall" prior to M.C. Hammer's mainstream success. This was Contemporary Christian Music's first rap hit ever by anyone, in particular by a Caucasian (Gibson) and/or a duo.[38] Burrell also produced "Son of the King" at that time, releasing it on his debut album.
Raised Pentecostal, Hammer strayed from his faith during his success, before returning to ministry. His awareness of this could be found in a movie he made called Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990), in which he also plays the preacher character named "Reverend Pressure". Nonetheless, as a tribute to his faith, Hammer vowed to dedicate at least one song on each album to God.
Hammer later reaffirmed his beliefs in October 1997, and starred in the ministry television show M.C. Hammer and Friends on the Trinity Broadcasting Network as well as appearing on Praise the Lord programs where he went public about his devotion to ministry as an ordained minister. Hammer officiated at the celebrity weddings of actor Corey Feldman and Susie Sprague on October 30, 2002 (as seen on VH1's The Surreal Life), and also at Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil and Lia Gerardini's wedding in January 2005.
During an interview on TBN (between 1997–1998), Hammer claimed he adopted the "M.C." back into his name which now stood for 'Man of Christ'. Hammer continued to preach while still making music, running a social media business and television show, and devotes time to prison and youth ministries.
He has also recently joined Jaeson Ma in his crusade in Asia.
Legacy and pop culture fame
Widely considered the first "mainstream" rapper, even when it wasn't "cool" to be, Hammer continues to entertain while sharing his legacy with other rappers - as cited on BET's website. 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. He also established a children's foundation that first started in his own community.
Hammer has also influenced the music industry as well as pop culture catch phrases and slang. Digital Underground's rap "The Humpty Dance" included the lyrics "People say ya look like M.C. Hammer on crack, Humpty!", boasting about Hammer's showmanship versus Humpty Hump (Shock G)'s inability to match it in dance. Additionally, his sampling of large portions of well-know pop oldies (as opposed to short James Brown or George Clinton funk riffs) has become increasingly popular among mainstream rappers, particularly Diddy's Bad Boy Records stable. At the time, it was frowned upon.
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"). But Hammer set the pattern; musically, fashionably and financially, for practices that became common in hip-hop music later in the 1990s in the hands of such platinum-selling performers as Puff Daddy and Will Smith. Hammer admits, "When I look at Puffy with a choir, I say, 'Sure that's a take-off of what I do."
Hammer's clothing-lines, one later called J Slick, and flashy wardrobes also led to other performers being more conscientious about video outfits, "shiny suits" and baggie pants. During his early career (80s and early 90s), Hammer would tour, perform and record with his hype man 2 Bigg MC or Too Big (releasing a song in which he claimed "He's the King of the Hype"). It's interesting to note that this duo introduced the "shiny suit" 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", who was in an unspoken competition with Flavor Flav (hype man for Public Enemy) during the height of their careers.
During a 1991 episode of Rockline on MTV (with host Martha Quinn), in response to a caller's question, Hammer stated in 10 years he sees himself continuing to make "original material to establish longevity", "energetic... message-oriented songs for a long time to come" and "staying in good shape... working as long as God blesses him to be here".
Hammer also began the trend of rap artists being accepted as mainstream pitchmen. Prior to Hammer, it was virtually unheard of for a hip-hop artist to be seen in a major commercial spot. Hammer appeared in major marketing campaigns for companies such as Pepsi, KFC, Toshiba and Taco Bell to the point that he was criticized as a "sell-out". Hammer also did commercials for British Knights during the height of his career. The shoe company signed him to a $138 million (US) deal. Today, many rappers appear in various major commercials and market their own clothing lines. Ironically, three of Hammer's biggest detractors (LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C. and Ice Cube), would also appear in ads later.
Even in 2008, vandals continued to invoke Hammer's catchphrase.
In 1994, British TV presenter Mark Lamarr interrupted Hammer repeatedly with Hammer's catch phrase ("Stop! Hammer Time!") in an interview filmed for The Word, which he took in good humour. 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". This change had much to do with his failure due to the ignorance, jealousy and sabotage by the media, public and so-called fans.
After his rapid fall from commercial fame, M.C. Hammer spent most of the latter half of the 1990s as a punch line in the music business. In 2000, Nelly, in his breakthrough hit "Country Grammar (Hot Shit)", announced his intention to "blow 30 mill[ion] like I'm Hammer." According to VH1, "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 2003, Beam and Cyrus did a remix of "U Can't Touch This" featuring M.C. Hammer.
In 2006, M.C. Hammer's music catalog (approximately 40,000 songs) was sold to the music company Evergreen for nearly $3 million. Evergreen explained that the collection was "some of the best-selling and most popular rap songs of all time." Speaking for Evergreen, David K. Schulhof stated the songs "will emerge as a perfect fit for licensing in movies, television shows, and corporate advertising."
The Simpsons have made numerous references to the artist throughout its run. In season 11, episode 22, Behind the Laughter, Homer buys M.C. Hammer's mansion. The gates to the mansion are decorated with golden letters spelling the word "hammertime," which Homer bashes with a hammer to spell out "Homertime". In "Treehouse of Horror" IX, Homer tries to kill Bart with a sledgehammer, while making a reference to M.C. Hammer, "It's hammertime dude"!
In an episode of Family Guy, Peter Griffin visits the U.S. as a diplomat from his newly founded country of "Petoria". Exploiting his diplomatic immunity status by committing crimes such as vandalism and littering, Peter boastfully announces that he cannot be arrested by going into a musical montage featuring a song called "Can't Touch Me", a parody of M.C. Hammer's song, "U Can't Touch This".
In an episode of The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy called Goodbling and the Hip-Hop-Opotamus Irwin wears clothing similar to that of M.C. Hammer and dances to a variation of "U Can't Touch This". This track proved to be his most successfully used in many television shows and movies throughout his career.
Hammer continues to give media interviews, such as being a guest on Chelsea Lately (June 16, 2009), where he discussed his relationship with Vanilla Ice, his stint on The Surreal Life, his latest show, his family, his mansion, him being in shape, his current financial status and other "colorful topics" (subliminal jokes) regarding his baggy pants.
On the Disney Channel sketch comedy So Random, Hammer was parodied as M.C. Grammer who grammatically corrects rappers in a rap battle.
Influences and related artists
M.C. Hammer's impact 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 album Doin' What I Gotta Do with the track "Bustin' Out (On Funk)" sampling the Rick James single "Bustin' Out") & The Get Fresh Crew (Barry Bee and Chill Will), Run-D.M.C. and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
Hammer was followed by related musicians: Will 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, Vanilla Ice, Ho Frat Ho and Oaktown's 357.
Among others, some similar acts to Hammer are: Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, Sir Mix-a-Lot, Digital Underground, Gerardo, Heavy D & the Boyz, Jibri Wise One, Kid 'n Play, MC Skat Kat and The Stray Mob, MC Lyte, Salt-n-Pepa, Tone Lōc, Whodini, The U-Krew, P.M. Dawn, Candyman, M-Doc, Triple M, House of Pain, Bobby Brown, Milli Vanilli, Biz Markie, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Father MC, LL Cool J, Marley Marl, and Wreckx-n-Effect.
Hammer with Chamillionaire and Mistah F.A.B. at TechCrunch on July 24, 2008.
Award recipient, appearances and recognitions
M.C. Hammer has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, demonstrating hip-hop's potential for mass market success. He has won three Grammy Awards (one with Rick James and Alonzo Miller) for Best Rhythm and Blues Song (1990), Best Rap Solo (1990) and Best Music Video: Long Form (1990) taken from Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie. He also received eight American Music Awards, a People's Choice Award, an NAACP Image Awards and the Billboard Diamond Award (the first for a hip hop artist).
The International Album of the Year validated Hammer's talent as a world-class entertainer. Additionally, Hammer was also honored with a Soul Train Music Award (Sammy Davis, Jr. Award for Entertainer of the Year) in 1991.
Hammer appeared on gospel music's Stellar Awards show in 1997 and spoke of his renewed commitment to God. In the same interview, Hammer promised to unveil the "second leg" of his career.
In the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, Hammer made a surprise appearance in the middle of the show with best friend Jermaine Jackson.
On June 12, 2008, Hammer gave his support to Warren Beatty by attending the 36th AFI Life Achievement Awards.
In August 2008, at the World Hip Hop Dance Championships, Hammer won a Living Legends of Hip Hop Award from Hip Hop International in Las Vegas.
Hammer, Rick Sanchez and Shaquille O'Neal celebrated the Best of Twitter in Brooklyn at the Shorty Awards on February 11, 2009, which honored the top short-form content creators on Twitter.
Hammer attended the 2009 Soul Train Music Awards which aired on BET November 29, 2009.[264] 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).
On October 2 (aired October 12), Hammer opened the 2010 BET Hip Hop Awards performing "2 Legit 2 Quit" in Atlanta along with Rick Ross, Diddy and DJ Khaled (performing "MC Hammer" from the Teflon Don album).
In September 2009, Hammer made the "accomplishment appearance" in Zombie Apocalypse for the downloadable Smash TV/Left 4 Dead hybrid for the Xbox 360.
With nearly 2 million Twitter followers, his contribution to social media and as a co-founder of his own Internet businesses (such as DanceJam), Hammer has been announced as the recipient of the first Gravity Summit Social Media Marketer of the Year Award. The award will be presented to him at the 3rd Annual Gravity Summit on February 22, 2011 at the UCLA Covel Commons
Hammer's chronological summary of recognitions are as follows (according to sources provided within this and other supporting articles):
September 1989: The video for "Turn This Mutha Out" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video.
January 1990: Won two American Music Awards for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Let's Get It Started) and was nominated for Favorite Soul/R&B Album (Let's Get It Started).
April 1990: Hit the Top 40 with "U Can't Touch This" from the LP Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em.
May 1990: Hit the Top 10 with "U Can't Touch This".
July 1990: Hit the Top 40 with "Have You Seen Her".
August 1990: Hit the Top 10 with "Have You Seen Her".
September 1990: The video for "U Can't Touch This" won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and Best Dance Video and was nominated for Best Male Video, Best Editing, and Best Choreography.
October 1990: Hit the Top 40 and Top 10 with "Pray".
November 1990: Hit #1 for a week with "Pray".
Hammer was a 1990 Top Singles Artist of the Year, a 1990 Billboard Hot Single Artist of the Year and was the 1990 Billboard Music Award Artist of the Decade. Another milestone was accomplished for Hammer when his album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em spent 21 weeks at #1, according to Billboard 200, eventually resulting in diamond certification.
January 1991: Hit the Top 40 with "Here Comes The Hammer". Won five American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, Favorite Soul/R&B Single ("U Can't Touch This"), Favorite Soul/R&B Album and Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em), and was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist and Favorite Pop/Rock Album (Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em).
February 1991: Won three Grammy Awards including Best Rap Solo Performance and Best R&B Song ("U Can't Touch This") and Best Music Video: Long Form (Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie), and was nominated for Album of the Year (Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em) and Record of the Year ("U Can't Touch This").
September 1991: The video for "Pray" was nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography and "Here Comes The Hammer" was nominated for Best Special Effects.
November 1991: Hit the Top 40 with "2 Legit 2 Quit".
December 1991: Hit the Top 10 with "2 Legit 2 Quit". Hit the Top 40 with "Addams Groove".
According to ARC Weekly, Hammer ranked the #43 Singles Artist of 1991. He also received a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Original Song ("Addams Groove") in 1991.
January 1992: Won an American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. Hit the Top 10 with "Addams Groove."
February 1992: Nominated for another Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance ("Here Comes The Hammer").
September 1992: Nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards including Best Video from a Film ("Addams Groove") and Best Choreography ("2 Legit 2 Quit").
Hammer was a 1992 Billboard Hot Single Artist of the Year, and ranked the #34 Singles Artist of 1992 according to ARC Weekly
January 1993: Nominated for two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Solo Performance ("Hammer") and Best Music Video: Long Form (Hammerin' Home).
In 1994, Hammer ranked the #84 Singles Artist of the Year according to ARC Weekly.
March 1994: Hit the Top 40 with "It's All Good".
April 1994: Hit the Top 40 with "Pumps and a Bump".
September 1994: Nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography ("Pumps And A Bump").
In 1999, MTV's "100 Greatest Videos Ever Made" included Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" at #71.
In October 2000, VH1's "100 Greatest Dance Songs" included Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" at #88.
In May 2001, VH1's "100 Greatest Videos" included Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" at #59.
In April 2003, VH1's "50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists" included MC Hammer at #44.
In 2004, Hammer was ranked #167 on the Top Pop Artists of the Past 25 Years chart.
In August 2005, the single "U Can't Touch This" was certified gold.
In April 2007, BET ranked Hammer as the #7 "Best Dancer Of All Time".
In December 2007, VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90s" included "U Can't Touch This" at #16.
In October 2008, Vibe's "The Best Rapper Ever Tournament" declared Hammer the 17th favorite of all-time during the first round.
