MC Hammer's insane work-ethic

MC Hammer made it out of East Oakland, CA, into super-stardom with willpower, vision, and hard work.

He was more than a star, he was, and still is, a cultural icon.

We all know the name and the infamous parachute pants.

At age 11, Hammer (Stan Burrell) became a bat boy and then assistant to Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley. During his 7 years with the team, Hammer witnessed major league baseball players first hand – their workout routines and how they handled being famous.

He then tried making it in baseball and later joined the Navy. Once he got out, he put all his energy and experience into a music career.

Hammer started his own record label, promoted his music relentlessly, and was determined to put on the best live show possible.

It paid off with a major record deal and massive numbers of sales.

Hammer's music took enless flak from rap purists – even though he described himself as an "entertainer" rather than a rapper.

His answer to his critics:

"If you want to continue to say what you is is 'pure' rap, OK, you can have that. You take the Chevrolet, I'll take the Mercedes"

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MC Hammer was interviewed in 1990 by Maria Shriver.
@mchammer

[anitagibson]

He still here doing him 2024, what you doing?

[lisajones]

I was thinking the same thing! It’s the same with most black ppl they just don’t know how to manage their finances!