MC Hammer was born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California on March 30, 1962. Still, he had an ear for catchy source material, and that helped his second album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, become the best-selling rap album of all time.Įven if he was never able to duplicate that level of success, and even if his street credibility was virtually non-existent, Hammer still broke down numerous doors for rap music in the mainstream, demonstrating that hip-hop had the potential for blockbuster success in the marketplace. Armed with a flamboyant wardrobe (particularly his trademark baggy parachute pants) and a raft of sampled hooks lifted straight from their sources, Hammer’s talents as a dancer and showman far exceeded his technique as an MC. There had been hit rap singles and albums before him, but MC Hammer was the man who truly brought rap music to a mass pop audience. While Hammer hasn't always been the most challenging artist in the world, the Oakland native has some noteworthy social commentary in "Living in a World Like This" and "Brothers Hang On" - both of which are disturbing commentaries on the harsh realities of ghetto life." (Alex Henderson, AMG) Although it fell short of Please Hammer's artistic and commercial success, Legit definitely had its share of inviting hits, including "This Is the Way We Roll" and the title song. For a few years, Hammer almost seemed to be the Michael Jackson of rap. Indeed, Legit provided a heavy dose of the thing that made Please Hammer, Don't Hurt Em so successful: likeable, fun pop-rap that appealed to mainstream Top 40 audiences more than the hood. "With his third album, Too Legit to Quit, Hammer dropped the "MC" from his name, but didn't undergo any major changes musically. The album managed to sell more than 5 million copies.Īfter dropping the "M.C." from his stage name, Hammer released Too Legit to Quit which answered critics within certain songs from the album. The album, also produced by Felton Pilate, has been certified silver in the UK by the BPI and triple platinum in the US by the RIAA. Too Legit to Quit is the fourth studio album by Hammer, released on Octoby Capitol Records and EMI Records.
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