His debut album Feel My Power was produced between 1986 and 1987 to be released independently in 1987. It was produced by VEH (of Con Funk Shun), and sold over 60,000 copies. In the spring of 1988, a DJ played the track "Let's Get it Started"—a song in which he declared he was "...second to none, from Doug E. Fresh, Cool LL, or DJ Run"—after which the track began to gain popularity in clubs. Hammer received several offers from major record labels after the successful release of the independent album.
Hammer initially refused to sign a contract with Capitol Records, but after a substantial signing bonus was added to his contract, he did. His debut album was then re-released as Let's Get It Started. A new video was shot for "Let's Get it Started," and another video was produced in fall of 1988 called "Pump It Up" (a new track added to Let's Get It Started). The "Pump It Up" video was added to the roster of "new wave" hip-hop videos that premiered or re-aired on the premiere season of Yo! MTV Raps. It depicted hip-hop legends Run-DMC getting disrespected by Hammer. The album eventually went triple-platinum (more than 3 million units sold). "Turn This Mutha Out" (the album's biggest hit), "Feel My Power", and "They Put Me in the Mix" saw heavy rotation on R&B/Hip-Hop radio stations throughout late 1988 into 1989.
His second album, 1990's Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, included the smash single "U Can't Touch This", which sampled Rick James' 1981 hit "Super Freak". Interestingly, despite heavy airplay, "U Can't Touch This" stopped at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart due to the fact that it was released only as a twelve-inch single. Follow-up hits included "Have You Seen Her" (cover of the Chi-Lites); and "Pray", which had a beat sampled from Prince's "When Doves Cry" and was his biggest hit in the US, peaking at #2. The album went on to become the first hip-hop album to reach diamond status, selling more than 10 million units.During 1990 Hammer toured extensively in Europe which included a sold-out concert at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. With the sponsorship of PepsiCo, PepsiCo International CEO Christopher A. Sinclair went on tour with him in 1991. At the same time, he also appeared in The West Coast Rap All-Stars posse cut "We're All in the same Gang".
The Addams Groove Songfacts that in 1991 Hammer recorded the theme for the launch of the 1990s run of the Addams' Family film series, which introduced a whole new generation of fans to the Addams Family franchise. MC Hammer was still on the rise, and having a rap artist do the theme song added a contemporary feel to the movie, which was based on a '60s TV series about a very creepy family.
Hammer's relationship with Suge Knight dates back to 1988. Hammer next signed with Death Row Records, then home to Snoop Dogg and his close friend, Tupac Shakur. The label did not release any of Hammer's music while he was with them. However, Burrell did record music with Shakur, most notebly the song "Too Late Playa", and the album (Too Late) he recorded leaked onto the internet some years later. Their collaborative efforts are yet to be released. After the death of Shakur in 1996, Burrell left the record company.
In 1996, Burrell and Oaktown signed with EMI, which saw the release of a compilation of Hammer's chart topping songs. The album, Greatest Hits, featured 12 former hits and was released in October, only six months after his bankruptcy.
In 1997, just prior to beginning his ministry, MC Hammer (who by that time had readopted the "MC") was the subject of an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the VH1 series Behind the Music (music from his previous album 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.
In 1998, MC Hammer released his first album in his new deal with EMI, titled Family Affair because it was to introduce the world to the artists he had signed to his Oaktown Records as they made their recording debut. This album was highly plugged on Trinity Broadcasting Network but featured no charting singles, and sold only 500,000 copies worldwide.
In 2001, MC Hammer released his 8th studio album, Active Duty, to pay homage to the ones lost in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The album followed that theme, it featured two singles, "No Stoppin' Us (USA)," and "Pop Yo Collar." The album, like its predecessor, failed to chart and would not sell as many copies as previous projects.
After leaving Capitol Records and EMI for the second time in his career, MC Hammer decided to move his Oaktown imprint to an independent distributor and released his ninth studio album, Full Blast, in 2003. The album would feature no charting singles and failed to certify in the RIAA. A video was produced for Full Blast, a song that attacks Eminem and Busta Rhymes.
After going independent, he decided to create a digital label to release his tenth studio album, Look Look Look. The album was released in 2006 and featured production from Scott Storch. The album featured the title-track single, and would sell much better than his previous release (300,000 copies worldwide).
Between 2006 and 2007, Hammer released a military-inspired rap song with a political message to President George W. Bush about sending the American troops back from war, called "Bring Our Brothers Home". The video was filmed at the Santa Monica Pier.
To see current information, check out his official blog: http://mchammer.blogspot.com/
Good To Go
MC Hammer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know it′s history in the making
Now, mathematically this doesn't make sense
But in this scenario, one plus one equals three
I like her and she likes her
We gon′ have a love fest
One, two, tres, ménage à trois
Let's get down to business
Tap that like a bongo
I like them and they like me
It takes 3 to tango
Ladies and ladies, I am your gentleman
I open up double doors, now go 'head and come in
I got that Voli305 getting live
I′m in the iLov305 getting live
So many options, so little time
A little bit of Erika with extra on the side
More and more for me (yeah)
More and more for them (yeah)
Switch up and then (yeah)
Switch it back again (yeah)
Two to one ratio (mmm, c′est-c'est-c′est-c'est la vie)
(Ooh la la)
Two to one ratio
Round and round and round and round we go.
I like her and she likes her
We gon′ have a love fest
One, two, tres, ménage à trois
Let's get down to business
Back it up and drop it low
Tap that like a bongo
I like them and they like me
It takes 3 to tango
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to a tango
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to a tango (eeeyyyooo! Tango)
My reputation is notorious
It ain′t gotta be serious
No time for mysterious
How 'bout we all get delirious
Sí mamita, tú y tu amiguita
Two to one ratio (mmm, c'est-c′est-c′est-c'est la vie)
(Ooh la la)
Two to one ratio (ha ha)
Round and round and round and round we go
I like her and she likes her
We gon′ have a love fest
One, two, tres, ménage à trois
Let's get down to business
Back it up and drop it low
Tap that like a bongo
I like them and they like me
It takes 3 to tango
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (tango) ...
Everybody here like to party now ...
3, 2, tango
Two to one ratio
One plus one equals three, makes sense to me
Two to one ratio (oh)
Round and round and round and round we go
Round and round and round and round we go
I like her and she likes her
We gon′ have a love fest
One, two, tres, ménage à trois (ménage à trois)
Let's get down to business
Back it up and drop it low
Tap that like a bongo
I like them and they like me
It takes 3 to tango (braaatt)
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (we gon′ have a love fest)
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (let's get down to business)
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (tango, bam, bam)
Rotate
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango!
The lyrics of MC Hammer's song "Good to Go" describe the scenario of a ménage à trois, which is a French term for a sexual encounter between three individuals. In the song, MC Hammer expresses his interest in two women who also like each other and suggests they all have a "love fest" together. He acknowledges that mathematically, one plus one does not equal three, but in this situation, it takes three people to tango. The lyrics also mention "two to one ratio," which implies that there is a higher number of women to men in the situation.
The chorus emphasizes that it takes three people to tango and accordingly, emphasizes "rotate" to suggest a perpetual movement between the three individuals. MC Hammer is known for his dance moves, and this song's lyrics encourage listeners to dance and "tap that like a bongo." The song's bridge implies that the encounter is meant to be casual and enjoyable, with no need for seriousness or mystery. The use of Spanish phrases ("Sí mamita") and French terms ("ménage à trois") adds to the song's playful tone.
Line by Line Meaning
Mr. Worldwide checking in
This song is going to be global
You know it′s history in the making
This song is going to be legendary
Now, mathematically this doesn't make sense
What happens next is unconventional
But in this scenario, one plus one equals three
Two is not the limit when it comes to love
I like her and she likes her
I'm into one girl, who is into another girl
We gon′ have a love fest
There will be a party with lots of love
One, two, tres, ménage à trois
Three people will be involved in the love fest
Let's get down to business
It's time to start the love fest
Back it up and drop it low
Dance and lower your body
Tap that like a bongo
Touch and feel the beat of the music
It takes 3 to tango
Three people are needed for this party
Ladies and ladies, I am your gentleman
I will take care of the two girls
I open up double doors, now go 'head and come in
I am welcoming both girls with open arms
I got that Voli305 getting live
I have some alcoholic drinks for everyone
I′m in the iLov305 getting live
We are partying at this Miami club
So many options, so little time
We have many choices and should make the most of our time
A little bit of Erika with extra on the side
We are mixing things up with some girl-on-girl action
More and more for me (yeah)
I am enjoying myself
More and more for them (yeah)
I am making sure the girls are having a good time too
Switch up and then (yeah)
We are switching things up for variety
Switch it back again (yeah)
We can always come back to what was working before
Two to one ratio (mmm, c′est-c'est-c′est-c'est la vie)
One girl is getting more attention than the other
(Ooh la la)
This is all very exciting
Round and round and round and round we go.
We've been switching partners and having fun
Rotate
Keep the party going
It takes three, it takes 3 to a tango
We need three people for this love fest
My reputation is notorious
I have a wild reputation
It ain′t gotta be serious
We don't need to be too serious tonight
No time for mysterious
There's no need for secrets, let's have fun
How 'bout we all get delirious
Let's get crazy and have fun together
Sí mamita, tú y tu amiguita
Yes, my darling, you and your friend
Round and round and round and round we go
We are still having fun and switching partners
Two to one ratio (mmm, c'est-c′est-c′est-c'est la vie)
One girl is still getting more attention than the other
(Ooh la la)
Things are heating up
3, 2, tango
We are still dancing and enjoying each other's company
Two to one ratio
The attention is still unevenly distributed
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango
We still need three people for this love fest
Rotate
Keep the party going
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (let's get down to business)
We still need three people to start having fun
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango (tango, bam, bam)
We are still partying and having a great time
It takes three, it takes 3 to tango!
The party is still going on
Writer(s): Felton Pilate, Mc Hammer
Contributed by Joseph B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.