MC Hammer

MC Hammer, born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California in 1962, made a significant impact on rap music by bringing it to a mass pop audience with his flamboyant style and catchy source material. His second album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, became the best-selling rap album of all time, showcasing his talents as a dancer and showman. Despite facing criticism for his frequent borrowing of hooks and simplistic lyrics, Hammer's success demonstrated hip-hop's potential for mainstream blockbuster appeal.

Following the massive success of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em in 1990, MC Hammer continued to release albums that sold well but faced diminishing returns. Despite attempts to evolve his sound and image, Hammer struggled to maintain his commercial success and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 1996. He later focused on writing music with themes of spirituality and family, releasing limited albums through his own label. While he continued to work on various projects, including a patriotic-themed album in 2001, Hammer never regained the level of success he achieved in the early '90s.