Born Stanley Kirk Burrell on March 30, 1962 in Oakland, California,
MC Hammer shot to fame during the late 1980s for being one of the top rappers of the time. He initially wanted to become a professional baseball player, after serving as an Oakland Athletics batboy for eight years from 1972 to 1980. However, he was unable to land any positions with any professional organization. Instead, he joined the US Navy and served in Mountain View, California.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he went on to perform in clubs and eventually set up his own record label. His independently released debut album “Feel My Power” in 1987 sold over 60,000 copies, considered noteworthy for independently produced albums. A year later in 1988, a disc jockey played “Let's Get it Started,” a cut off of “Feel My Power.” It quickly gained ample radio air time and became a staple in clubs. After this, offers from major record labels started pouring in. Capitol Records re-released “Let's Get it Started” and it sold more than 3 million units. His sophomore album which included the smash hit “U Can't Touch This” was released in 1990 and went on to be the first hip-hop album to reach diamond status, selling more than 10 million copies.
Over time, though, criticisms were raised regarding the repetitive and copied nature of his songs, the same comments directed toward white rapper
Vanilla Ice . The backlash, however, wasn't enough to water down MC Hammer's credibility. He went on to amass a total of $33 million from sales and appearances. In 1992, though, a $16-million lawsuit was filed against MC Hammer for copyright infringement, prompting him to file for bankruptcy in 1996.
In 2003, MC Hammer was cast in the very first season of the VH1 reality show
The Surreal Life . The show features celebrities who are said to be past their primes and puts them in a Hollywood Hills mansion for two weeks. As if this were not enough, unforgiving cameras also follow their every move. In this season, MC Hammer took the cast to a church, where he led a sermon, reminding the viewers of his new religious side. It nonetheless brought good vibes to the show. Other highlights of the season include a camping trip and Feldman's wedding to his girlfriend at the season finale with no less than MC Hammer leading the ceremony.
(Photo courtesy of VH1)