Top 10 MC Hammer Songs List

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Our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list takes a look at one of hip-hop’s most famous rappers from the late 80s to early 90s. In addition to being known for his rapping, he is a dancer. He is also a humanitarian and reverend. The popular rapper has sold over 30 million albums and 50 million records. He was one of the first rappers to have a diamond album. This is an impressive feat for a rapper. He is known for being a pioneer for pop rap music. He was so famous at a point that he even had a Saturday morning cartoon. He was involved in a lot of endorsement deals throughout his career. He is a mogul and an activist.

MC Hammer has won numerous awards such as Grammys, American Music Awards, Soul Train, Video Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, etc. Some of his hits include “U Can’t Touch This,” “Pray,” “2 Legit 2 Quit,” “Addam’s Groove,” “Have You Seen Her,” “Pumps and a Bump,” “Turn This Mutha Out” as well as other songs. He made guest appearances television and movies such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990), Hot Shots! (1990), The Super (1990), Doogie Howser (1992), Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking You’re Juice in the Hood (1996), Charlie Angels: Full Throttle (2003), Into The Wild (2007), Tropic Thunder (2008) as well as other appearances.

MC Hammer was born Stanley Kirk Burrell on March 30, 1962. He got his nickname for being a master of ceremonies. He used the name when he was performing in clubs when he was traveling with the Oakland A’s. He was a dancer with the Oakland A’s. He got his start rapping in clubs. He had to borrow money from baseball players to start his own label. He released his first album Feel My Power in 1986. He released it independently. The album was a success for an independent project. It features the singles “Ring ‘Em” and “Get It Started.” The album sold over 60,000 copies, which was considered a hit. After this album was released, he got a record deal.

Let’s Get It Started was released in 1988. It peaked at number one on the r&b charts and number 30 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Let’s Get It Started,” “Pump It Up,” “Turn This Mutha Out” and “They Put Me in the Mix.” The album sold over two million copies. He won two awards for this album. The album started a rivalry with fellow rapper LL Cool J. The rivalry happened because MC Hammer said no other artist compared to him.

Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em was released in 1990. It peaked at number one on the r&b charts and Billboard 200. It features the singles “Help the Children,” “Dancin’ Machine,” “U Can’t Touch This,” “Have You Seen Her,” “Pray” and “Here Comes the Hammer.” The album sold over 10 million copies. This is the album that made MC Hammer a superstar.

Too Legit To Quit was released in 1991. It peaked at number two on Billboard 200. It features the singles “2 Legit 2 Quit,” “Addams Groove,” “Do Not Pass Me By” and “This Is the Way We Roll.” The album sold over three million copies. The Funky Headhunter was released in 1994. This album was considered his comeback album. He created a different sound with this album. He ended up losing his fans because of the style change. It features the singles “Pumps and a Bump,” “It’s All Good” and “Don’t Stop.” The album sold over one million copies.

Inside Out was released in 1995. It peaked at number 23 on the r&b charts and number 119 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Sultry Funk,” “Keep On” and “Goin’ Up Yonder.” Active Duty was released in 2001. It features the singles “Who’s Stoppin’ Us (USA)” and “Pop Yo Collar. Full Blast was released in 2004. It features the single “Full Blast.”

Look Look Look was released in 2006. It features the singles “Look 3 x,” “So Long,” “Hyphy, Dumb, Buck, Krump,” “YAY,” “I Got It from the Town” and “What Happened to Our Hood?” The album sold over 300,000 copies. Dance Jam the Music was released in 2009. It features the singles “Getting Back to Hetton,” “I Got Gigs” and “I Go.”

MC Hammer was a trailblazer during his heyday. He made pop rap music popular. He was known for his dancing as well as rapping. He was an instant commercial success at the height of his career. He had a lot of endorsements throughout his career, which didn’t sit well with other rappers. Some rappers ridiculed him for taking endorsement deals. These same rappers ended up doing the same thing. He went through trials and tribulations. He dealt with controversies with his videos, bankruptcies, as well as other issues during his career. This Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list will feature his best songs.

# 10 – Turn This Mutha Out

The first song on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list is “Turn This Mutha Out” from the Let Get It Started album. The song has an r&b and hip-hop beat. This is a braggadocious song about him being better than others. He wants to convince people that he is the best. He may have started out as the student, but he became the teacher. This subject isn’t really new when it comes to rap because rappers discuss this a lot. MC Hammer manages to make it sound different. The song contains a sample of George Clinton’s “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker).”

The lyrics of the song were intense. He is talking about rising to the top and succeeding. The sample makes the song stand out from other rap songs from that era. There is an addictive chant in the background that will have you singing along with it. This song is out of MC Hammer’s wheelhouse because he was trying to change up his style of rapping. In the past, he did party rap songs that made you dance. With this particular song, he wanted to show that he was a hardcore rapper. He took heat from other rappers for his style of rap.

He was ridiculed because he didn’t want to do traditional rap songs. This song gave him a chance to prove his naysayers wrong because it was a Top three hit. He is direct when he wants people to know he is the best. Someone else might have come off sounding cocky or egotistical, but he sounded confident.

# 9 – Pumps and a Bump

The next song on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list is “Pumps and a Bump” from the album The Funky Headhunter. The song has a hip-hop beat. This is a descriptive song about females with large butts. The song contains another George Clinton sample. This time he uses a sample from the song “Atomic Dog.” The lyrics of the song may be offensive to women because it talks about females and their butts. If you can get passed the lyrics, you may find the song enjoyable.

This song is the original “Thong Song” by Sisqo. It’s also similar to “Rump Shaker” by Wreckx-N-Effect. This is another song that is out of MC Hammer’s wheelhouse. This wasn’t the kind of song he was known for recording. This is another attempt by MC Hammer to shed his pop-friendly image. The music is energetic. It has a great dance beat. It is a bumping club jam. If you like dancing, this song is for you. It will have you up on the dance floor. It is something that is great for the cookout as well as the club.

The chorus is infectious and will stay in your head. It is the best part of the song. He does a great job with his rhymes. You may not be to rap along with him in the verses because he races through the lines. You might have to read the lyrics in order to keep up with what he’s saying. Aaron Hall is singing in the background towards the end of the track. He does a great job vocalizing at the end. He adds something special to the song.

# 8 – Addam’s Groove

The reflective song is from the Addam’s Family soundtrack as well as the Too Legit To Quit album . The song has an r&b and hip-hop beat. The fun song is a tie in to the movie. The song is about the characters in the movie. Even though the song is for the movie, it does have a message.

It teaches you to be who you want to be. It doesn’t matter if you are “strange” or not. You should be who you want to be no matter what anyone else says. The lyrics have a powerful meaning behind them despite being a theme song for a movie. Unfortunately, this song is bittersweet for MC Hammer because it is his last Top 10 hit song. The music sounds like a slowed down version of ”Too Legit To Quit.” The music is groovy. It is the perfect party tune. It is guaranteed to get you dancing. This is one of the only songs that he did that didn’t contain a sample. It was nice to hear instruments being played. It has an impressive drum beat. It also has a great horn section.

His rhyming skills are fascinating. He raps really fast in the track. You may have to read the lyrics in order to understand what he is saying because of the speed he uses when he raps. The chorus is upbeat and catchy. It is the best part of the song.

# 7 – It’s All Good

The bouncy song is from the album The Funky Headhunter. This has a hip-hop beat. This is a thumping song about him being the best M.C. The song contains three samples. One of the samples is “Dusic” by Brick. Another sample is “Hobo Scratch” by Malcolm McLaren and World’s Famous Supreme Team. The last sample is “Funkin’ for Jamaica (N.Y.)” by Tom Browne.

This is another attempt by MC Hammer to have a harder sound. This is an edgier sound for the dancing rapper. The samples give the track a hardcore sound. Based on the music, you would never know this was an MC Hammer song. This could have easily been another rapper until he started rhyming. This song is from his fifth album so he had to try to change up his image. When this song was released, he was being ridiculed for his style of rapping. Just like with “Turn This Mutha Out” he wanted to prove that he could do hardcore rap.

“Pumps and a Bump” overshadow this song but the song is just as good. It doesn’t objectify women and isn’t offensive like “Pumps and a Bump.” The beat is sick and smoking hot. The melody is slightly similar to “Pumps and a Bump.” The beat is great for dancing and working out. He speed raps through the verses. He slows things down in the chorus, which will enable you to rap along with him. He was ahead of his time with this song. He made the term “It’s All Good” popular.

# 6 – Help The Children

The emotional song is from the Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em album. The song has a hip-hop, gospel and dance beat. The graceful song is about the social problems that affect the children. He talks about children who are suffering from hunger, diseases and other problems. The song contains a sample and interpolation of Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).” This is a departure from his party songs.

This song has a deep message about what is going on with the children of the world. The song was written in the 90s, but it can resonate today because children are still going through problems today. The message is caring and sincere. MC Hammer showed how much he wanted to help people with this track. He even named his charity after this single. The message might bring a tear to your eye thinking about what children are going through. This isn’t a typical rap song. He does rap the verses, but it’s not a typical rap song. He’s not bragging about himself or the women he has in his life. He is focusing on the children who are suffering in the world.

He wanted to write a song that made you think instead of dance. His rhymes are slow in this track. You can actually understand the majority of what he is saying without having to read the lyrics. He does sound unrecognizable in the verses. He raps in a higher octave in this track. The background singers do a great job singing the chorus. This song gets overshadowed because it’s on the same album as the monster hit ”U Can’t Touch This.”

# 5 – Do Not Pass Me By

The next song on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list is “Do Not Pass Me By” from the Too Legit To Quit album. The song has a gospel beat. The uplifting song is about the Lord not passing you by. It is based on a hymn. The song is about needing the Lord in your life. This will resonate with people who need the Lord in his or her life. Rappers don’t usually rap about the Lord in this nature. MC Hammer was the original Kirk Franklin. MC Hammer wanted to bring gospel music to the rap scene the same way Kirk Franklin does today.

This song will lift you up when you are feeling down. It will give you hope that someone is looking out for you. With everything that is going on today, this song is appropriate. This song was written in the 90s, but is relatable today. The song has something for gospel fans as well as rap fans. MC Hammer shines in this song. He does his typical speed rapping in the verses, but you can understand what he is saying. Tramaine Hawkins is the guest vocalist in the song.

She takes you to church with her powerful vocals. Her voice is phenomenal. She holds notes and belts throughout the song. The choir harmonizes very well with each other. Their vocals are just as good as Tramaine Hawkins. MC Hammer’s bigger hit songs overshadow this song, but it is worth checking out.

# 4 – 2 Legit 2 Quit

The confident song is from the Too Legit To Quit album. The song has a hip-hop and New Jack Swing beat. This is an empowering song about him overcoming obstacles. He feels he is too good to quit doing what he is doing. The song is about perseverance. The track was ahead of its time because it started a catchphrase. This is another song on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list that doesn’t feature a sample. It has original music. The beat is very dance friendly. It will get your adrenaline pumping. You can use this track when you are working out. You will definitely get a workout with this song.

The guitar gives the song a rock edge. The banging drumbeat drives the song. MC Hammer does a great job with his rhymes. He raps in time with the beat. He never misses a beat. He does his signature speed racing through the lyrics. You may need to look at the lyrics in order to understand what he is saying. There is a guest vocalist named Sonia Moore who sings in the hook. She is a very talented singer. It’s too bad she didn’t become a bigger star. She has a big and powerful voice. She does an incredible job with her part. She should have had more to do in the song because she has a beautiful voice.

# 3 – Have You Seen Her

The tender song is from the Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em album. The song has an r&b beat. The heartbreaking song is about losing the woman he loves. He wants her to come back to him. This is an updated version of the Chi-Lites hit song “Have You Seen Her.” The song is a mix of r&b and rap. It is done in the same spoken word style as the original. MC Hammer changes up the lyrics to make the song his own. He keeps the hook and melody the same as the original track.

He took a risk covering this song because it is one of the Chi-Lites biggest hit singles, but he manages to pull it off. MC Hammer doesn’t do his signature speed rapping in this track. He actually slows things down so you can understand what he is saying. He sounds a little different in this track. He sounds similar to LL Cool J. Once again he proved he could do more than party songs. He showed off his soft and romantic side.

The group Special Generation sings the hook and the background. The lead singer of the group does an amazing job with his vocals. He sounds similar to El DeBarge when he sings in falsetto. Their harmonies in the background are flawless. They help make this song the gem that it is. They make it sound soulful. This version of the song is just as good as the Chi-Lites’ version. It is up to you to decide which one is better.

# 2 – Pray

The inspirational song is from the Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em album. The song has a hip-hop, synth pop and Christian hip-hop beat. The motivational song is about praying. He talks about praying “just to make it today.” This song was done in the 90s, but it works today. The subject is timeless because people always have a reason to “pray.”

The song contains a sample of Prince’s “When Doves Cry.” The two songs couldn’t be more different from each other, but it works. You don’t have to be religious to enjoy the message. The message will resonate with people whether they listen to gospel music or not. The lyrics are powerful and meaningful. The sample adds something extra to the music. When you listen to the music, it might be hard to get passed the original without thinking about “When Doves Cry.” If you can get passed it, the music is quite enjoyable. MC Hammer did the right thing by incorporating the sample for this song. The music will have you moving around in your seat or on the dance floor.

The lyrics will take you to church. Here’s a fun fact. The word “pray” is said 147 times throughout the track. It is the most a word has ever been said in a song. MC Hammer raps with a lot of passion. You can tell he is passionate about praying. He is convincing as he tells the listener to pray. The chorus is very memorable and will stay in your head. The background singers take you to church with their vocals. This is MC Hammer’s biggest hit single. It’s not his most popular song, but it’s easy to see why it’s his biggest hit single.

# 1 – U Can’t Touch This

The number one song on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list is “U Can’t Touch This” from the Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em album. The song has a hip-hop, pop and rap beat. The boastful song is about nobody being able to touch his rhyming skills. He is a pro on the microphone. This is a subjective claim because other people have said the same thing about their own skills.

The song contains a sample of Rick James’ hit song “Super Freak.” This is the song that made MC Hammer a superstar. It was a monster pop hit as well as a rap hit. Fans of both genres will enjoy this jam. Here is some trivia about the song. Rick James didn’t want rappers using his songs. The sample was used behind his back. Rick James was okay with MC Hammer using the song when he found out how much money he would make off the track. Rick James also wanted to be included as a songwriter. The sample works for the song. It made the song very dance friendly. We dare you to sit still while listening to this catchy beat.

MC Hammer’s rhyming skills are flawless. He does his signature speed rapping. Once again you may have to read the lyrics in order to get what he is saying. The chorus is engaging and memorable. It will stay in your head long after the song is finished. Everything about this song works. The song is candy for the ears. You will definitely want to put this song on repeat. It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that this song was number one on our Top 10 MC Hammer Songs list because it is his most popular song. It may or may not have been as big of a hit if it weren’t for the sample, but this song is excellent and deserved to be number one on our list.