MC Hammer: Hip-Hop's Unacknowledged Trendsetter
MC Hammer's contributions to hip-hop were multifaceted, spanning music, fashion, and philanthropy. Let's reassess his influence on the genre.
MC Hammer was one of the biggest rap stars in the world in the early ‘90s, known for his infectious dance hit “U Can’t Touch This” and his flashy wardrobe of balloon pants and rhinestones. Despite his widespread commercial success that brought hip-hop music into pop mainstream, MC Hammer today is often dismissed as just a one-hit wonder or novelty act. But this reputation is unfair and underappreciates Hammer’s talent and influence.
He deserves more recognition for not only breaking sales records in hip-hop but also for his philanthropic work with his foundation that provides scholarships and his pioneering impact on fashion that helped shape pop culture trends of the 1990s. Though some may see him as simply a product of his time, MC Hammer made an essential and lasting contribution to hip-hop beyond a single song.
He achieved a level of mainstream commercial success in hip-hop that was unprecedented then. Not only did he achieve diamond certification with his singles and albums, but he also had tremendous success with his concerts and tours. When he embarked on his Hammer Don't Hurt ‘Em Tour in 1990 through 1991, it was groundbreaking for a hip-hop artist to headline arenas and stadiums. His tour featuring En Vogue and Vanilla Ice sold out venues with over 20,000 fans in attendance. It grossed over $25 million from 132 shows, setting records at the time, showing that hip-hop could succeed not just on the charts but as a highly marketable live act that could fill seats.
Hammer’s success extended beyond music as well. He signed numerous endorsement deals with companies like British Knights and Pepsi, showing the appeal of rap stars to advertisers. His Saturday morning cartoon show, Hammerman, aired on ABC. His success paved the way for the genre to become a multi-billion dollar industry by the end of the 1990s. From recording to touring to endorsements, MC Hammer achieved pop stardom and commercial success that genuinely broke down barriers for the genre. Even with his later bankruptcy and fading from the spotlight, his early 1990s peak still represents a milestone in hip-hop’s commercial and cultural rise.
In addition to his groundbreaking musical success, MC Hammer demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy and empowering communities through his foundation. During his peak fame, he started the foundation in the early 1990s as an outlet to give back and provide opportunities for underprivileged youth.
The foundation offered several critical programs for community support. One was their Help the Children program, which provided educational resources and activities for school-aged children in math, science, and reading. The foundation also motivated the kids to stay off the streets and drugs, as it ran rampant during that era. Hammer used his fortune and fame to give opportunities to those less fortunate through education, setting an example of how hip-hop stars can leverage their success for social good. His foundation highlights his enduring legacy beyond just music.
Hammer left a mark on hip-hop fashion, influencing trends and styles that became part of mainstream pop culture. His flashy and colorful wardrobe featuring exaggerated parachute pants was iconic and trend-setting. Hammer’s style was prominently showcased in his music videos, concerts, and public appearances, introducing his signature look to fans worldwide. “Hammer pants” became synonymous with the wide-legged trousers he popularized. MC Hammer demonstrated how hip-hop artists could leverage music and clothes and shape broader cultural trends.
Beyond his fashion, MC Hammer’s high-energy choreography and dance moves also impacted hip-hop style and performance. His rapid footwork, choreography, and dancing extensively influenced his energetic public persona. Hammer’s dance style was prominently featured in the famous “U Can’t Touch This” music video and his concerts. His flashy clothes, combined with his animated dancing, made his performances unforgettable spectacles. Hammer’s finesse showed how hip-hop artists could integrate dance and incorporate performance styles that appealed to pop audiences. His signature moves, steps, and flair for choreography demonstrated how hip-hop could influence broader dynamics of class, dance, and stage presence in pop culture.
Though often dismissed as a novelty act today, MC Hammer was a pioneering hip-hop artist who achieved unprecedented commercial success and brought rap music into the mainstream pop world. With his record-breaking album and single sales, sold-out concert tours, endorsements, and even a Saturday morning cartoon, MC Hammer was one of the biggest stars on the planet at his peak. Beyond music, he also tried to leverage his fortune and fame for good by starting a foundation to provide scholarships and opportunities for underprivileged youth.
His flashy fashion also forever impacted hip-hop style and seeped into broader pop culture trends. While Hammer’s superstardom eventually faded, for a time, he was the biggest rapper in the world, and his meteoric success helped cement hip-hop’s growing mainstream prominence in the 1990s and beyond. Though sometimes written off as a pop one-hit wonder, MC Hammer’s talent, influence, and legacy within hip-hop deserve more recognition and appreciation. At his best, he demonstrated the genre’s tremendous commercial and cultural potential.