M.C. Hammer's 1900 Commercial

M.C. Hammer's 1900 Commercial
Hammer 1900 number
Stanley Kirk Burrell (born March 30, 1962), known professionally as M.C. Hammer (and later simply Hammer), is an American rapper, dancer, entrepreneur, spokesman and occasional actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the late 1990s. Remembered for his rapid rise to fame, Hammer is known for hit records (such as "U Can't Touch This" and "2 Legit 2 Quit"), flashy dance movements, choreography and eponymous Hammer pants. Hammer's superstar-status and entertaining showmanship made him a household name and hip hop icon.[1] He has sold more than 50 million records worldwide.[2]

A multi-award winner, M.C. Hammer is considered a "forefather/pioneer" and innovator[3] of pop rap (incorporating elements of freestyle music), and is the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album.[4][5][6][7] Hammer was later considered a sellout due in part to overexposure as an entertainer (having live instrumentation/bands, choreographed dance routines and an impact on popular culture being regularly referenced on television and in music)[8] and as a result of being too "commercial" when rap was "hardcore" at one point, then his image later becoming increasingly "gritty" to once again adapt to the ever-changing landscape of rap.[9][10] Regardless, BET ranked Hammer as the #7 "Best Dancer Of All Time".[11] Vibe '​s "The Best Rapper Ever Tournament" declared him the 17th favorite of all-time during the first round.[12]

Throughout his career, Hammer has managed his own recording business. As a result, he has created and produced his own acts including Oaktown's 3.5.7, Common Unity, Special Generation, Analise, One Cause One Effect, Teabag, Dom Kimberley, Geeman, DRS, Pleasure Ellis, B Angie B, Stooge Playaz, Ho Frat Hoo![17] and Wee Wee, among others. A part of additional record labels, he has associated/collaborated/recorded with VMF, Tupac Shakur, Teddy Riley, Felton Pilate, Tha Dogg Pound, The Whole 9,[18] Deion Sanders, Big Daddy Kane, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Jon Gibson, as well as others. In 1992, Doug E. Fresh was signed to M.C. Hammer's Bust It Records label. In late 2012, Hammer appeared with Psy at the 40th American Music Awards and during Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest performing a mashup of "Gangnam Style" and "2 Legit 2 Quit" together which was released on iTunes.