February 12, 1990 marked the release of one of the biggest selling albums of the entire decade.  Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em is a diamond awarded album that sold over 10 million copies in the United States alone.  Some estimates have it easily over 20 million worldwide.  It was the first hip-hop album to be certified diamond by the RIAA.  It was number one on the Billboard 200 for a staggering twenty-one weeks.

The lead single, U Can’t Touch This, seems like a footnote now but believe me – it was a huge deal.  Hammer sampled the 1981 Rick James hit, ‘Super Freak’ and when that opening riff came on in any club, radio boom box or skating rink – It. Was. On.  For real, no one could get enough.  For me, M.C. Hammer was not a new thing.  Back in the 80’s at any Detroit Public School dance, you were sure to hear Turn This Mutha Out or Let’s Get It Started.  Along with tracks by artists like Kool Moe Dee, The Skinny Boys (do you remember Jock Box??), Eric B. & Rakim, The Beastie Boys (Paul Revere was the jam back then), Run D.M.C. and many, many more.  But the day I heard U Can’t Touch This, it was one of those late 80’s sayings that came to mind.. daaang, that’s fresh.

Hammer sampled and paid homage to other artists like the Chi-Lites, Earth, Wind & Fire and The Jackson 5.  Have You Seen Her went to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  As if the album wasn’t big enough by the time August of 1990 rolled around, Hammer left no doubters when he released Pray and used the familiar riff from another mega-star – Prince.  This time it was When Doves Cry and Hammer-time was bigger than ever.  It was one of the hottest concerts to score tickets to and one of the greatest world tours, music had ever seen.  M.C. Hammer was an international hit and audiences flocked to see him perform.  And perform he did.  Known for his dancing ability and a certain move called – Typewriter – Hammer wowed audiences on a nightly basis.  He was a cross-over superstar and one of the most famous people on the planet.

So today, February 12, 2020 I want to go back and re-live some Hammer-time.  I hope you share in some good memories of that time as well.  Now – let’s dance.

-Tommy Marz

You can follow Tommy on Twitter and Instagram let him know what you think.