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/
Here Comes The Hammer
MC Hammer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Yes this is a mission that I'm on
Taking out the weak on the microphone
I'm hype so talk about the hard hitting HammerWhen you came to walk on the stage after me
And if you do your catastrophe happenin's
Just like that out like a mall white to black
Oh oh oh busted
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Naw no is what I say when I came to see a show
I look and it's dead, dead
You know like a body in the ground
Will your show ever grow?
Let me know, if not the gloves come off
'Cause you sure ain't hot
It needs work like a car in a wreck
They call me Hammer yeah, earn my respect
Oh oh oh yeah
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Busted
I don't hesitate or wait before the bell rings I'm out the gate
And rolling out for mine working so hard for such a long time
And life yes it's here and gone so pedal to the Hammer
While I'm watching the floor I'm not a king just filling pipe
You dance to the music while I'm on the mic
Oh oh oh here we go
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Busted
Been to a tomb and I'm rolling a whole new style
But the people are holding on too
I move I groove I rap the move is so plain, just plain
Your ego's so big that you miss the whole thing
And dang my crib the people wanted more
Tthat's why the Hammer's in
Oh oh oh yeah
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let's make it smooth, yeah
Let's make it smooth, come on
Let's make it smooth, yeah
Let's make it smooth
Check me out
Move on the floor and get hype
You get get with it and this is your mic
Yeah let 'em know, the cool the hard the fly oh
Their in here and it's pumpin'
Hammer's got the speakers
And you know the bass is bumpin' loud
And low it's about that time, so here we go
Oh oh oh busted
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Let's make it smooth, yeah
Let's make it smooth
Come on let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Busted
The song "Here Comes the Hammer" is an ode to MC Hammer's own talent and reputation as a performer. He declares that he's on a mission to take out weak performers on the microphone, and his confidence is evident through lines like "You know like a body in the ground / Will your show ever grow?" MC Hammer claims that he doesn't hesitate or wait for the bell to ring - he's out the gate and "rolling out for mine," working hard for a long time. He also recognizes that his showmanship and energy come together to create a unique style that his fans love. Overall, the song is a celebration of MC Hammer's talent, perseverance, and hard work, as well as a declaration of his dominance in the hip hop world.
Interestingly, "Here Comes the Hammer" was not originally released as a hit single. Instead, it was part of MC Hammer's 1990 album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em." But thanks to the popularity of MC Hammer's other hit songs, such as "U Can't Touch This," radio DJs began playing "Here Comes the Hammer" as well. The song quickly gained a following, and a music video was eventually created to accompany it.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
MC Hammer is entering the scene with his music.
Yes this is a mission that I'm on
Taking out the weak on the microphone
I'm hype so talk about the hard hitting Hammer
When you came to walk on the stage after me
And if you do your catastrophe happenin's
Just like that out like a mall white to black
Oh oh oh busted
MC Hammer is on a mission to show his talent on the microphone and is challenging others not to mess up their act when performing after him. If they do, they'll be out quickly.
Naw no is what I say when I came to see a show
I look and it's dead, dead
You know like a body in the ground
Will your show ever grow?
Let me know, if not the gloves come off
'Cause you sure ain't hot
It needs work like a car in a wreck
They call me Hammer yeah, earn my respect
Oh oh oh yeah
MC Hammer is unimpressed with some other performers and is ready to step up and show them how it's done.
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Let's make it smooth
Busted
MC Hammer wants the performance to be smooth and is highlighting that if it's not, it will be a failure.
I don't hesitate or wait before the bell rings I'm out the gate
And rolling out for mine working so hard for such a long time
And life yes it's here and gone so pedal to the Hammer
While I'm watching the floor I'm not a king just filling pipe
You dance to the music while I'm on the mic
Oh oh oh here we go
MC Hammer is confident in his skills and is ready to perform. Life is short, so he's going to give it his all, and let the audience enjoy the music.
Been to a tomb and I'm rolling a whole new style
But the people are holding on too
I move I groove I rap the move is so plain, just plain
Your ego's so big that you miss the whole thing
And dang my crib the people wanted more
That's why the Hammer's in
Oh oh oh yeah
MC Hammer has developed his own style of music and the audience is loving it. He criticizes those who let their ego get in the way and miss the point of the music.
Let's make it smooth, yeah
Let's make it smooth, come on
Let's make it smooth, yeah
Let's make it smooth
Check me out
MC Hammer is once again emphasizing that he wants the performance to be smooth and is inviting the audience to enjoy his music.
Move on the floor and get hype
You get get with it and this is your mic
Yeah let 'em know, the cool the hard the fly oh
Their in here and it's pumpin'
Hammer's got the speakers
And you know the bass is bumpin' loud
And low it's about that time, so here we go
Oh oh oh busted
MC Hammer is encouraging the audience to enjoy the music and get hyped up. He's confident in his skills and is ready to perform. If things don't go well though, he'll call it out.
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Here comes the Hammer
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
MC Hammer is again entering the scene and is ready to put on a great show.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: James Brown, Stanley Burrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jovan628
This man does not get the recognition he deserves! 🙌🏾👏🏾
@Chuckclc
He did back then. Especially in the Bay area. Look up how much he controlled the whole rap game in that area
@HoopmanX
Hammer!! The dancing was UNREAL!!!
@1968dogg
Too bad black music has devolved ---by design.
@MrRobertdcoker
Hammer still hit hard AF.
@briandelgado4985
Idc what anyone says when i was 10 yrs old hammer was my freaking hero! Still is. Hip hop needs to show him more respect. Rappers really weren't making serious money til hammer took it worldwide. They called him a sellout but technically he was the only one thinking outside the box.
@KevinBurnsjr
I love your statement! Peace ✌
@briandelgado4985
@@KevinBurnsjr thanks brother 🙏
@KevinBurnsjr
@@briandelgado4985 no problem dude 😎.
@jamescollier7360
All facts Hammer was my hero too wasn’t thinking about Gangster Rap until he faded from the scene.