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| released = {{start date|1990|2|12|mf=y}}
| released = {{start date|1990|2|12|mf=y}}
| recorded = 1988 – 1989
| recorded = 1988–1989
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| studio =
| studio =
| genre = {{hlist|[[Hip Hop music|Hip hop]]|[[pop rap]]|[[Dance music|dance]]}}
| genre = [[Hip Hop music|Hip hop]]
| length = 59:04
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| label = {{hlist|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[EMI]]}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[EMI]]}}
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'''''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em''''' is the third studio album by American rapper [[MC Hammer]], released on February 12, 1990<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.msn.com/album/?album=10027416 |title=MSN Music entry for Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em |access-date=2011-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606141546/http://music.msn.com/album/?album=10027416 |archive-date=2012-06-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by [[Capitol Records]] and [[EMI|EMI Records]]. Produced, recorded and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by [[Felton Pilate]] and James Earley. With a small budget of around $10,000 and recorded on a [[Customised buses|modified tour bus]] between May 1988 to November 1989, The album incorporates Hip Hop, pop rap and dance.
'''''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em''''' is the third studio album by American rapper [[MC Hammer]], released on February 12, 1990<ref>{{cite web |url=http://music.msn.com/album/?album=10027416 |title=MSN Music entry for Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em |access-date=2011-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606141546/http://music.msn.com/album/?album=10027416 |archive-date=2012-06-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> by [[Capitol Records]] and [[EMI|EMI Records]]. Produced, recorded and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by [[Felton Pilate]] and James Earley, the album was made on a small budget of around $10,000 and recorded on a [[Customised buses|modified tour bus]] between May 1988 and November 1989.


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''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' received lukewarm reviews from critics, yet received five nominations at the [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991 Grammy Awards]], including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], becoming the first hip hop record to be nominated in this category, as well as winning five awards at the [[1991 American Music Awards]]. The album is considered Hammer's mainstream breakthrough and a commercial juggernaut. It peaked at number one for twenty-one weeks on the [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]], becoming the first rap recording to top the pop chart, and was the best-selling album of 1990. It was the first hip hop album to be certified diamond in the US,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://community.allhiphop.com/go/thread/view/12461/5467055/TOP_10_selling_rap_albums_of_all_time |title=article |publisher=community.allhiphop.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201170003/http://community.allhiphop.com/go/thread/view/12461/5467055/TOP_10_selling_rap_albums_of_all_time |archive-date=2009-02-01 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1990-12-26|title=The Pop Life (Published 1990)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/26/arts/the-pop-life-407890.html|access-date=2020-10-20|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> was certified platinum in several countries, and was one of the best-selling hip hop albums worldwide, selling more than 18 million units to date.<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref>{{cite magazine |author=CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY |date=2001-06-24 |title=Rap's Teen Idols Return |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101940328-164065,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830163344/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101940328-164065,00.html |archive-date=August 30, 2010 |access-date=2012-04-10 |magazine=Time}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cassidy |first=John |title=The Talk of the Town: Under the Hammer |url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/1996/08/26/1996_08_26_062_TNY_CARDS_000376033 |access-date=2012-04-10 |magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref><ref name="sing365">{{cite web |title=MC Hammer Biography |url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715115902/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |archive-date=2012-07-15 |publisher=sing365.com}}</ref>
⚫
''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' received lukewarm reviews by critics and hip hop purist fans about over the repetitive nature of his lyrics, his clean-cut image and his perceived over-reliance on using [[Hook (music)|hooks]] from other artists for the basis of his singles. Despite this, the album received five nominations at the [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991 Grammy Awards]] including Album of the Year, becoming the first Hip Hop record to be nominated on this category and eventually winning [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance#1990s|Best Rap Solo Performance]] and Best R&B Song for "[[U Can't Touch This]]" and Best Music Video: Long Form. Also, it won five awards at the [[1991 American Music Awards]] including Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album and Favorite Pop/Rock album.


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Six official singles were released to promote the album, including the smash hit "[[U Can't Touch This]]" which reached the top 10 at the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and peaked at number one in [[Australia]], [[Netherlands]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Sweden]], and number 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Following the album's success, Hammer embarked on the [[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em World Tour]], which stretched from 1990 to 1991 with 144 dates, grossing over $32 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-11-09.pdf|title=Billboard|date=1991-11-09|website=Worldradiohistory.com|access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>
⚫
The album is considered Hammer's mainstream breakthrough album and a commercial juggernaut. It peaked at number one for twenty one weeks at the [[Billboard 200|US Billboard 200]] becoming the first time ever for a rap recording on the [[Record chart|pop charts]] and was best-selling album of 1990. It was the first Hip Hop album to be certified Diamond by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for sales of over ten million in the United States.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url=http://community.allhiphop.com/go/thread/view/12461/5467055/TOP_10_selling_rap_albums_of_all_time |title=article |publisher=community.allhiphop.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201170003/http://community.allhiphop.com/go/thread/view/12461/5467055/TOP_10_selling_rap_albums_of_all_time |archive-date=2009-02-01 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|date=1990-12-26|title=The Pop Life (Published 1990)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/26/arts/the-pop-life-407890.html|access-date=2020-10-20|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Also it was certified platinum in serverial territories including United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Spain. It was on the best-selling hip hop albums with over 17 million copies worldwide, as of July 15, 2012.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/1996/08/26/1996_08_26_062_TNY_CARDS_000376033 |title=article |date=19 August 1996 |publisher=newyorker.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web |url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |title=article |publisher=sing365.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715115902/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |archive-date=2012-07-15 }}</ref>

⚫
To promote the album, six official singles was released: ''"Help the Children", "Dancin' Machine", "Pray", "Have You Seen Her", "Here Comes the Hammer" and the smash hit "U Can't Touch This"'' that reached the Top 10 at the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one in [[Australia]], [[Netherlands]], [[New Zealand]] and [[Sweden]], and number 3 on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. Most of the singles released from the album proved to be successful on radio and video television. Following the album success, Hammer embarked on ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em World Tour]]'' that stretched from 1990 to 1991 with 144 dates grossing over $32 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-11-09.pdf|title=Billboard|date=1991-11-09|website=Worldradiohistory.com|access-date=March 25, 2022}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
Hammer previous Let's Get It Started (1988) was certified two times platinum for selling over two millions of copies in the United States. By the end of 1989, it sold over 1.5 million of units in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 21, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer // Surge in popularity surprises rapper |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/418232632 |url-access=subscription |id=418232632 |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref> Not quite satisfied with the [[Music recording certification#Certification thresholds|multi-platinum]] success, Hammer's music underwent a [[metamorphosis]], shifting from the standard rap format in his upcoming album. According to Hammer: "I decided the next album would be more musical." Purists chastised him for being more dancer than rapper. Sitting in a [[Animal print|leopard-print]] [[bodysuit]] before a concert, he defended his style: "People were ready for something different from the traditional rap style. The fact that the record has reached this level indicates the genre is growing."
Hammer's previous album, ''[[Let's Get It Started (album)|Let's Get It Started]]'', had sold over 1.5 million units in the United States by the end of 1989.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 21, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer // Surge in popularity surprises rapper |work=Star Tribune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/418232632 |url-access=subscription |id=418232632 |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref> Not satisfied with the [[Platinum album|platinum]] success, Hammer chose to deviate from the standard rap format in his next album. Though some purists{{Who|date=September 2024}} criticized him for being more of a dancer than a rapper, Hammer defended his style: "People were ready for something different from the traditional rap style. The fact that the record has reached this level indicates the genre is growing."


During the summer 1988, while he was on tour, Hammer started to record his third studio album on a modified tour bus. After spending part of his advance from Capitol Records on $50,000 worth of equipment for the back of the tour bus, he used his free time on the road to record his next album.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harris |first=Laurie Lanzen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AxSgSyK6KeEC&q=please+hammer+don't+hurt+em+world+tour |title=Biography Today, Annual Cumulation 1992: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers |date=February 1993 |publisher=Omnigraphics, Incorporated |isbn=978-1-55888-139-6 |language=en}}</ref> According to ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' of hit singles, the album cost just $10,000 to produce, roughly the same budget as his independent debut.<ref>{{cite web|work=Guinnessworldrecords.com|title=Music Feats|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/arts_and_media/music_feats_and_facts/default.aspx|access-date=2010-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122161911/http://guinnessworldrecords.com/records/arts_and_media/music_feats_and_facts/default.aspx|archive-date=2010-11-22|url-status=dead}}</ref>Capitol launched the album with an innovative marketing strategy, mailing out free cassette singles and a personalized letter to 100,000 kids, most of whom were black or Hispanic. The letter, signed by Hammer, asked the youths to phone MTV and request his video.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ressner |first=Jeffrey |date=1990-09-06 |title=Hammer Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hammer-time-2-231327/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>
While on tour in the summer of 1988, Hammer started to record his third studio album on a modified tour bus. After spending part of his advance from Capitol Records on $50,000 worth of equipment for the back of the tour bus, he used his free time on the road to record his next album.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Harris |first=Laurie Lanzen |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AxSgSyK6KeEC&q=please+hammer+don't+hurt+em+world+tour |title=Biography Today, Annual Cumulation 1992: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers |date=February 1993 |publisher=Omnigraphics, Incorporated |isbn=978-1-55888-139-6 |language=en}}</ref> It was produced, recorded and mixed by [[Felton Pilate]] and James Earley on the bus in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |title=MC Hammer: Biography from |url=http://www.answers.com/m.c.%20hammer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226043200/http://www.answers.com/m.c.%20hammer |archive-date=2012-02-26 |access-date=2010-03-31 |publisher=Answers.com}}</ref> According to ''[[Guinness World Records]]'', the album cost just $10,000 to produce, roughly the same budget as Hammer's independent debut.<ref>{{cite web|work=Guinnessworldrecords.com|title=Music Feats|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/arts_and_media/music_feats_and_facts/default.aspx|access-date=2010-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122161911/http://guinnessworldrecords.com/records/arts_and_media/music_feats_and_facts/default.aspx|archive-date=2010-11-22|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Capitol Records|Capitol]] marketed the album by sending free cassette singles and a personalized letter to 100,000 children, most of whom were Black or Hispanic. The letter, signed by Hammer, asked young people to phone MTV and request his video.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ressner |first=Jeffrey |date=1990-09-06 |title=Hammer Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hammer-time-2-231327/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Album overview and promotion ==
== Album overview and promotion ==
⚫
The album was supported by the single "[[U Can't Touch This]]"; follow-up singles included "[[Have You Seen Her#MC Hammer version|Have You Seen Her]]" (a cover of [[the Chi-Lites]]) and "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" (a beat sampled from [[Prince (musician)|Prince's]] "[[When Doves Cry]]" and [[Faith No More]]'s "[[We Care a Lot]]").<ref name="RS" /> The album was notable for sampling other high-profile artists: "[[Dancing Machine#Samples and cover versions|Dancin' Machine]]" sampled [[The Jackson 5]], "Help the Children" (also the name of an outreach foundation Hammer started)<ref name="macysinc">[http://www.macysinc.com/pressroom/macys/macyseast/media_kits.asp?strAction=ShowItem&itemid=8131] {{dead link|date=May 2018}}</ref> interpolates [[Marvin Gaye]]'s "[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]]", and "She's Soft and Wet" sampled Prince's "[[Soft and Wet]]".
''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' was released on February 12, 1990. It features the successful single "[[U Can't Touch This]]", which [[sampling (music)|sampled]] [[Rick James]]' 1981 single, "[[Super Freak]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/u-cant-touch-this-25-anniversary-mc-hammer-6436624 |title=U Can't Touch This at 25: Remembering MC Hammer's Breakthrough Single |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=January 13, 2015}}</ref> It was produced, recorded and [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixed]] by [[Felton Pilate]] and James Earley, on a [[Customised buses|modified tour bus]] in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/m.c.%20hammer |title=MC Hammer: Biography from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2010-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226043200/http://www.answers.com/m.c.%20hammer |archive-date=2012-02-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Despite heavy airplay and a No. 27 chart debut, "U Can't Touch This" peaked at No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart, because it was only released as a twelve-inch vinyl single with not other single type available.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB1990.pdf Billboard Hot 100 charts: 1990] Each week's chart has a key for a single's format availability (CD, cassette, etc.). Scroll down to any week where "U Can't Touch This" is on the Hot 100, and it will reflect that only a 12-inch single is available.</ref>{{clarify|date=October 2010}} However, the album was a No. 1 success for 21 weeks at the US Billboard 200. The song has been used in [[MC Hammer#Television and film career|many movies and television shows]] to date, and appears on [[soundtrack]] and [[compilation album]]s as well (such as ''[[Man of the House (2005 film)#Soundtrack|Man of the House]]'' and ''[[Back 2 Back Hits]]''). During this time, Hammer released "This Is What We Do" for the ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990 film)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]'' film and [[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack|soundtrack]] (1990)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/this-is-what-we-do-mt0008903021 |title=This Is What We Do by MC Hammer - Track Info |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref> and "That's What I Said" on the ''[[Rocky V]]'' [[Rocky V: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture|soundtrack]] (1990).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rocky-v-music-from-and-inspired-by-the-motion-picture--mw0000311815 |title=Various Artists - Rocky V (Music From and Inspired by the Motion Picture) |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 4, 2022}}</ref>

⚫
Follow-up singles included "[[Have You Seen Her#MC Hammer version|Have You Seen Her]]" (a [[cover version|cover]] of [[the Chi-Lites]]) and "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" (a beat sampled from [[Prince (musician)|Prince's]] "[[When Doves Cry]]" and [[Faith No More]]'s "[[We Care a Lot]]").<ref name="RS" /> "Pray" was his biggest hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. It was also a major [[UK]] success, peaking at No. 8. The album was notable for [[sampling (music)|sampling]] other high-profile artists, and gave some of these artists a new fan base. "[[Dancing Machine#Samples and cover versions|Dancin' Machine]]" sampled [[The Jackson 5]], "Help the Children" (also the name of an [[outreach]] [[foundation (nonprofit)|foundation]] Hammer started)<ref name="macysinc">[http://www.macysinc.com/pressroom/macys/macyseast/media_kits.asp?strAction=ShowItem&itemid=8131] {{dead link|date=May 2018}}</ref> interpolates [[Marvin Gaye]]'s "[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]]", and "She's Soft and Wet" also sampled Prince's "[[Soft and Wet]]".


Following the album's success, Hammer toured extensively in [[Europe]], including a sold-out concert at the [[National Exhibition Centre]] in [[Birmingham]]. With the sponsorship of [[PepsiCo]] International, Pepsi CEO [[Christopher A. Sinclair]] went on tour with him in 1991.
Following the sucess of the album, Hammer toured extensively in [[Europe]], which included a sold-out concert at the [[National Exhibition Centre]] in [[Birmingham]]. With the sponsorship of [[PepsiCo]] International, [[Pepsi]] CEO [[Christopher A. Sinclair]] went on tour with him during 1991. By June 1991, the album sold 14.5 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1991-06-06|title=Hammer Times|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-06-06/sports/sp-96_1_hammer-time}}</ref> It would go on to become the first hip-hop album to earn [[Music recording certification#Certification thresholds|diamond status]], selling more than 18 million units to date.<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref>{{cite magazine |author=CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101940328-164065,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830163344/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101940328-164065,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 30, 2010 |title=Rap's Teen Idols Return |magazine=Time |date=2001-06-24 |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cassidy |first=John |url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/1996/08/26/1996_08_26_062_TNY_CARDS_000376033 |title=The Talk of the Town: Under the Hammer |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=2012-04-10}}</ref><ref name="sing365">{{cite web |url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |publisher=sing365.com |title=MC Hammer Biography |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715115902/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/MC-Hammer-Biography/4E0F2063AA089C6748256E0700170A6C |archive-date=2012-07-15 }}</ref>


== Critical reception ==
== Critical reception ==
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Hammer experienced [[Criticism|critical backlash]] over the repetitive nature of his lyrics, his clean-cut image and his perceived over-reliance on using [[Hook (music)|hooks]] from other artists for the basis of his singles. He was [[diss (music)|dissed]] in [[music video]]s by [[The D.O.C.]] and [[Ice Cube]]. Oakland hip-hop group [[Digital Underground]] mocked him in the CD insert of its ''[[Sex Packets]]'' album, by placing his picture in with the other members, and referring to him as an unknown [[Homelessness|derelict]]. He was also mentioned in the song "[[The Humpty Dance]]", with [[Shock G]] claiming: "People say 'Ya look like MC Hammer on [[Crack cocaine|crack]], Humpty!'."
Hammer experienced critical backlash over the repetitive nature of his lyrics, his clean-cut image and his perceived over-reliance on [[Hook (music)|hooks]] from other artists for the basis of his singles. ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' was also criticized for its [[sampling (music)|sampling]] of songs by other musicians.<ref name="RS" /> Hammer was [[diss (music)|dissed]] in music videos by [[The D.O.C.]] and [[Ice Cube]]. Oakland hip-hop group [[Digital Underground]] mocked him in the CD insert of their ''[[Sex Packets]]'' album by placing his picture with the other members and referring to him as an unknown derelict. He was also mentioned in the song "[[The Humpty Dance]]", with [[Shock G]] claiming: "People say 'Ya look like MC Hammer on [[Crack cocaine|crack]], Humpty!'" On [[LL Cool J]]'s track "[[To da Break of Dawn]]", Hammer is referenced as an "amateur, swinging a Hammer from a [[body bag]] [his pants]". Additional lyrics included "my old gym teacher ain't supposed to rap." He later referenced Hammer in "[[I Shot Ya|I Shot Ya (remix)]]", a track on his 1995 album ''[[Mr. Smith (album)|Mr. Smith]]''. However, LL Cool J would later compliment and commend Hammer's talents on [[VH1]]'s'' 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop'', which aired in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2018/11/14/ll-cool-j-finally-talks-about-dissing-mc-hammer-30-years-ago-in-infamous-beef |title=LL Cool J Finally Talks About Dissing MC Hammer 30 Years Ago In Infamous Beef |website=Atlanta Blackstar |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>


⚫
The album received five nominations at the [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards|1991 Grammy Awards]], including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], becoming the first hip hop record nominated in this category. ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' won [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance#1990s|Best Rap Solo Performance]] and [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] for "[[U Can't Touch This]]" and [[Best Music Video, Long Form]] for the film accompanying the album. The album also won five awards at the [[1991 American Music Awards]], including [[American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album|Favorite Soul/R&B Album]], [[American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Album|Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album]] and [[American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album|Favorite Pop/Rock Album]].
On the track "[[To da Break of Dawn]]", Hammer is depicted as an "amateur, swinging a Hammer from a [[body bag]] [his pants]", from [[LL Cool J]]'s album ''[[Mama Said Knock You Out]]'' (1990). Additional lyrics included: "My old gym teacher ain't supposed to rap." He later referenced Hammer in "[[I Shot Ya|I Shot Ya (remix)]]", a track on his album ''[[Mr. Smith (album)|Mr. Smith]]'' (1995). However, LL Cool J would later compliment and commend Hammer's abilities/talents on [[VH1]]'s'' 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop'', which aired in 2008. On Hammer's second album, ''[[Let's Get It Started (album)|Let's Get It Started]]'' (1988), he originally claimed: "And when it comes to straight up rockin' / I'm second to none / from [[Doug E. Fresh]] to LL or [[Run-DMC|DJ Run]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://atlantablackstar.com/2018/11/14/ll-cool-j-finally-talks-about-dissing-mc-hammer-30-years-ago-in-infamous-beef |title=LL Cool J Finally Talks About Dissing MC Hammer 30 Years Ago In Infamous Beef |website=Atlanta Blackstar |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>

However, [[Ice-T]] came to Hammer's defense on his 1991 album ''[[O.G. Original Gangster]]'', stating: "A special shout-out to my man M.C. Hammer. A lot of people diss you, man, but they just jealous." Ice-T later explained that he had nothing against people who were [[pop rap]] from the start, but only against [[Master of ceremonies|emcees]] who switch from being [[Hardcore hip hop|hardcore]] or "dirty" to being pop rap, in order to sell more records.

''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' was also criticized for its [[sampling (music)|sampling]] of songs by other musicians.<ref name=RS/> The album sampled high-profile artists, and gave some of these artists a new [[fandom|fan base]] as a result. "U Can't Touch This" sampled "[[Super Freak]]" by [[Rick James]]; "[[Dancing Machine|Dancin' Machine]]" sampled the [[Jackson 5]]; "[[Have You Seen Her]]" is a semi-cover of [[The Chi-Lites]] song; "Help the Children" interpolates [[Marvin Gaye]]'s "[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]]"; "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" samples "[[When Doves Cry]]" and "She's Soft and Wet" samples "[[Soft and Wet]]", both songs by [[Prince (artist)|Prince]].


== Commercial reception ==
== Commercial reception ==
Released on February 12, 1990, ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' reached the number one position on the ''[[Billboard 200|US Billboard 200]]'' in the week ending June 9, 1990 becoming the first rap album to reach the top spot on the pop charts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 14, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer, nailing down pop hits |work=USA TODAY |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306323677 |id={{ProQuest|306323677}} |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref>By August, it was selling over 100,000 copies a day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dillard-Rosen |first=Sandra |date=August 10, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer performance a lot more than 'rap light' |pages=4B |work=Denver Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/291256295 |id={{ProQuest|291256295}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> In less than six months, it sold more than four million copies, making it the biggest selling rap album at the time, beating [[Beastie Boys]]' ''[[Licensed to Ill]].''<ref>{{Cite news |title=M.C. Hammer a rapper with plenty of appeal: [ |pages=5 |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282969117 |url-access=subscription |id=282969117 |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref>By October 1990, it had reached the six million mark, and by November of the same year it reached seven million units sold in the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gergen |first=Joe |date=October 7, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer Has a Baseball Background |pages=9 |work=Los Angeles Time |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/281156325 |url-access=subscription |id=281156325 |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=December 15, 1990 |title=Hammer, Aerosmith, Ice Tops in Nov. Certs |pages=9 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/226974223 |url-access=subscription |id=226974223 |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref>By January 1991, the album reached 8 million units sold, becoming the first album to do so in one calendar year since [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]'' in 1984 .<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 12, 1991 |title=LED ZEPPELIN, CCR SCORE BIG IN DECEMBER CERTIFICATIONS |pages=86 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-01-12-Billboard-Page-0086.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 12, 1991 |title=Rappers Pile On The Metal; Zep, CCR Also Score In Dec |pages=9 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-01-12-Billboard-Page-0009.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref>In the same month, it reached the 9 million mark in US sales.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1991 |title=Rapper M.C. Hammer adds new award |work=The Province |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/267397767 |id={{ProQuest|267397767}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref>By May 1991, the album [[RIAA certification|certified]] [[Music recording certification#Certification thresholds|diamond]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]], for sales of over ten million copies in the United States.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 11, 1991 |title=Hammer Hits 10-Times Platinum |pages=8 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/226977790 |id={{ProQuest|226977790}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Released on February 12, 1990, ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' reached the number one position on the [[Billboard 200|US ''Billboard'' 200]] in the week ending June 9, 1990, becoming the first rap album to reach the top spot on the pop charts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 14, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer, nailing down pop hits |work=USA TODAY |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306323677 |id={{ProQuest|306323677}} |via=[[Proquest]]}}</ref> It remained a total of 21 weeks at the top of US ''Billboard'' 200,<ref>{{cite web |author=MC Hammer |title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: Information from |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331204438/http://www.answers.com/topic/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em |archive-date=2012-03-31 |access-date=2012-04-10 |publisher=Answers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Chart Rewind: In 1990, MC Hammer Nailed Down the No. 1 Spot on the Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/rewinding-the-charts-in-1990-mc-hammer-nailed-no-1 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]].com}}</ref> the longest run by a male black artist since [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chan |first=Alfonso |date=January 16, 1991 |title=Hammer zooms up to the top |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19910116-1.2.31.4?qt=mc,%20hammer&q=MC%20Hammer}}</ref> Likewise, the album saw longevity on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, peaking at No. 1 and staying atop the chart for twenty-eight weeks. Most of the singles released from the album proved to be successful on radio and television, with "U Can't Touch This", "Pray", "Have You Seen Her", "[[Here Comes the Hammer]]" and UK exclusive "Yo!! Sweetness" all charting. Despite heavy airplay and a No. 27 chart debut, "U Can't Touch This" peaked at No. 8 on the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart because it was released only as a twelve-inch vinyl single with no other format available.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/BB1990.pdf Billboard Hot 100 charts: 1990] Each week's chart has a key for a single's format availability (CD, cassette, etc.). Scroll down to any week where "U Can't Touch This" is on the Hot 100, and it will reflect that only a 12-inch single is available.</ref>{{clarify|date=October 2010}}

The album ranked No. 1 for twenty-one weeks on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], due primarily to the success of the single "[[U Can't Touch This]]".<ref>{{cite web |author=MC Hammer |title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: Information from |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331204438/http://www.answers.com/topic/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em |archive-date=2012-03-31 |access-date=2012-04-10 |publisher=Answers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |date=April 28, 2021 |title=Chart Rewind: In 1990, MC Hammer Nailed Down the No. 1 Spot on the Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/rewinding-the-charts-in-1990-mc-hammer-nailed-no-1 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]].com}}</ref> Likewise, the album saw longevity on the [[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums]] chart, peaking at No. 1 and staying atop the chart for twenty-eight weeks.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/1990-04-28/r-b-hip-hop-albums |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=2012-07-13}}</ref> It was the top selling album of 1990 in the United States, and is one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time.<ref name=":1" />


In Canada, the album was the sixth best-selling album of 1990 and the single, "U Can't Touch This", was the sixth best-selling single of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pop toppers range from vice to Ice |pages=F3 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/243502646 |id={{ProQuest|243502646}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Eventually, it was certified 8x platinum for selling over 800,000 units in the country, and won International Album of the Year at the 1991 Juno Awards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernard |first=Michael |date=March 4, 1991 |title=Celine Dion a double winner at Junos; Dutoit, MSO claim classical-album prize |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/432097214 |id={{ProQuest|432097214}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Also, it was certified triple platinum in New Zealand. In May 1991, Hammer received an award for sales of more than 1 million units of his album "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em" in EMI Music Worldwide's international territories of Japan, SE Asia, Australasia, Africa and Latin America.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 18, 1991 |title=Hitmakers- EMI WELCOMES CAPITOL & CHRYSALIS TO AUSTRALIA |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-05-18-Billboard-Page-0066.pdf#search=%22mc%20hammer%22}}</ref>As of July 1991, it sold 17 million of copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1991 |title=THE M.C. HAMMER INTERVIEW: A RAP ON RIVALRY |work=Seattle Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/386031881 |id={{ProQuest|386031881}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
By August, the album was selling over 100,000 copies a day.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dillard-Rosen |first=Sandra |date=August 10, 1990 |title=M.C. Hammer performance a lot more than 'rap light' |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/291256295 |url-access=subscription |work=Denver Post |pages=4B |id={{ProQuest|291256295}}}}</ref> In fewer than six months, it sold more than four million copies, making it the best-selling rap album at the time, beating [[Beastie Boys]]' ''[[Licensed to Ill]].''<ref>{{Cite news |title=M.C. Hammer a rapper with plenty of appeal: [ |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/282969117 |url-access=subscription |work=Chicago Tribune |pages=5 |via=[[Proquest]] |id=282969117}}</ref> By January 1991, the album reached 8 million units sold, becoming the first album to do so in one calendar year since [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]'s ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain]]'' in 1984.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 12, 1991 |title=LED ZEPPELIN, CCR SCORE BIG IN DECEMBER CERTIFICATIONS |pages=86 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-01-12-Billboard-Page-0086.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 12, 1991 |title=Rappers Pile On The Metal; Zep, CCR Also Score In Dec |pages=9 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-01-12-Billboard-Page-0009.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1991 |title=Rapper M.C. Hammer adds new award |work=The Province |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/267397767 |id={{ProQuest|267397767}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> By May 1991, the album was certified diamond with over ten million sales in the US.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 11, 1991 |title=Hammer Hits 10-Times Platinum |pages=8 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/226977790 |id={{ProQuest|226977790}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> It was the top-selling album of 1990 in the United States, and is one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time.<ref name=":1" />


In Canada, the album was the sixth best-selling album of 1990, and the single "U Can't Touch This" was the sixth best-selling single of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Pop toppers range from vice to Ice |pages=F3 |work=The Vancouver Sun |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/243502646 |id={{ProQuest|243502646}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> Eventually, the album was certified 8× platinum for selling over 800,000 units in the country, and won International Album of the Year at the 1991 Juno Awards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernard |first=Michael |date=March 4, 1991 |title=Celine Dion a double winner at Junos; Dutoit, MSO claim classical-album prize |work=The Gazette |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/432097214 |id={{ProQuest|432097214}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref> The album was also certified triple platinum in New Zealand. In May 1991, Hammer received an award for sales of more than 1 million units of the album in EMI Music Worldwide's international territories of Japan, SE Asia, Australasia, Africa and Latin America.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 18, 1991 |title=Hitmakers- EMI WELCOMES CAPITOL & CHRYSALIS TO AUSTRALIA |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-05-18-Billboard-Page-0066.pdf#search=%22mc%20hammer%22}}</ref> As of July 1991, it had sold 17 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 26, 1991 |title=THE M.C. HAMMER INTERVIEW: A RAP ON RIVALRY |work=Seattle Post |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/386031881 |id={{ProQuest|386031881}} |url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Most of the singles released from the album proved to be successful on radio and television, with "[[U Can't Touch This]]", "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pra]]y", "Have You Seen Her", "Here Comes the Hammer" and "Yo!! Sweetness" ([[UK Singles Chart|UK]] only) all charting. The album raised [[rapping|rap music]] to a new level of popularity. It became the first hip-hop album to be ever nominated for the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year]] in 1991. The album has sold over 17 million copies worldwide, as of July 15, 2012.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />


== Lawsuits ==
== Lawsuits ==
[[Rick James]] sued Hammer for [[Copyright infringement|infringement of copyright]] on the song "[[U Can't Touch This]]", but the suit was settled out of court when Hammer agreed to credit James as co-composer, effectively cutting James in on the millions of dollars the record was earning. Hammer was also sued by a former producer, [[Felton Pilate]] (who is also a member of the successful R&B band [[Con Funk Shun]]), and by several of his former backers. Additionally, he faced charges that performance troupe members (aka posse) endured an abusive, militaristic atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/mc-hammer-1 |title=MC Hammer: Biography from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729093326/http://www.answers.com/topic/mc-hammer-1 |archive-date=2013-07-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[Rick James]] sued Hammer for [[copyright infringement]] on the song "U Can't Touch This", but the suit was settled out of court when Hammer agreed to credit James as co-composer, allowing him to earn royalties. Hammer was also sued by a former producer, [[Felton Pilate]], and by several of his former backers. Additionally, he faced charges that performance troupe members endured an abusive, militaristic atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/mc-hammer-1 |title=MC Hammer: Biography from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729093326/http://www.answers.com/topic/mc-hammer-1 |archive-date=2013-07-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


In 1992, Hammer admitted in [[deposition (law)|depositions]] and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes the Hammer", from a Texas-based [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian recording artist]] named Kevin Abdullah. Abdullah had filed a US$16 million lawsuit against Hammer for [[copyright infringement]] for his song entitled "Oh-Oh, You Got the Shing".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104232712/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |title=Songwriter claims Hammer stole his song: sues him. (Muhammad Bilal Abdullah) |date=February 1, 1993 |magazine=Jet}}</ref> Hammer settled with Abdullah for $250,000 in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/1998-02-26/news/hammered/ |newspaper=Dallas Observer |date=February 26, 1998 |first=Matt |last=Weitz |title=Hammered}}</ref>
In 1992, Hammer admitted in [[deposition (law)|depositions]] and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes the Hammer" from a Texas-based [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian recording artist]] named Kevin Abdullah. Abdullah had filed a US$16 million lawsuit against Hammer for [[copyright infringement]] for his song entitled "Oh-Oh, You Got the Shing".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104232712/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |title=Songwriter claims Hammer stole his song: sues him. (Muhammad Bilal Abdullah) |date=February 1, 1993 |magazine=Jet}}</ref> Hammer settled with Abdullah for $250,000 in 1995.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/1998-02-26/news/hammered/ |newspaper=Dallas Observer |date=February 26, 1998 |first=Matt |last=Weitz |title=Hammered}}</ref>


== Track listing ==
== Track listing ==
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| writer10 = Stanley Burrell, Prince, Chris Moon
| writer10 = Stanley Burrell, Prince, Chris Moon
| length10 = 3:25
| length10 = 3:25
| title11 = Black is Black
| title11 = Black Is Black
| writer11 = Stanley Burrell
| writer11 = Stanley Burrell
| length11 = 4:31
| length11 = 4:31
Line 142: Line 131:
}}
}}


== Samples ==
=== Samples ===

'''"Work This"'''
==== "Work This" ====
*"[[Let's Work]]" by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
*"[[Let's Work]]" by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]

'''"Help the Children"'''
==== "Help the Children" ====
*"[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]]" by [[Marvin Gaye]]
*"[[Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)]]" by [[Marvin Gaye]]

'''"Here Comes the Hammer"'''
==== "Here Comes the Hammer" ====
*"[[Super Bad (song)|Super Bad]]" by [[James Brown]]
*"[[Super Bad (song)|Super Bad]]" by [[James Brown]]

'''"Pray"'''
==== "Pray" ====
*"[[When Doves Cry]]" by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
*"[[When Doves Cry]]" by Prince
*"[[We Care a Lot (song)|We Care a Lot]]" by [[Faith No More]]
*"[[We Care a Lot (song)|We Care a Lot]]" by [[Faith No More]]

'''"U Can't Touch This"'''
==== "U Can't Touch This" ====
*"[[Super Freak]]" by [[Rick James]]
*"[[Super Freak]]" by [[Rick James]]

'''"Yo!! Sweetness"'''
==== "Yo!! Sweetness" ====
*"[[Give It to Me Baby]]" by [[Rick James]]
*"[[Give It to Me Baby]]" by Rick James
*"Your Sweetness Is My Weakness" by [[Barry White]]
*"Your Sweetness Is My Weakness" by [[Barry White]]

'''"She's Soft and Wet"'''
*"[[Soft and Wet]]" by [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
==== "She's Soft and Wet" ====
*"[[Soft and Wet]]" by Prince
⚫
'''"Black Is Black"'''

⚫
*"[[Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud]]" by [[James Brown]]
⚫
==== "Black Is Black" ====
⚫
*"[[Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud]]" by James Brown


== Charts ==
== Charts ==
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|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>[http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/MC+Hammer/15833/?type=longplay] {{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>[http://musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/MC+Hammer/15833/?type=longplay] {{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|14
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|Greek Album Charts (Music&Media)<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-07-09.pdf#search=%22mc%20hammer%22 |title=Top 10 Sales in Europe |last= |first= |date=9 July 1991 |publisher= |access-date=4 September 2024 |quote= | volume=8 | issue=27 | page=40 |magazine=Music & Media}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"| 10
|-
|-
|Hungarian Albums ([[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/top-40-album-dvd-es-valogataslemez-lista/1991/27 |title=Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége |website=Mahasz.hu |access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>
|Hungarian Albums ([[Association of Hungarian Record Companies|MAHASZ]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zene.slagerlistak.hu/top-40-album-dvd-es-valogataslemez-lista/1991/27 |title=Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ – Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége |website=Mahasz.hu |access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>
Line 235: Line 235:
|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
|Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1990/albums-chart|title=ARIA Top 100 Albums for 1990|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|49
|align="center"|49
|-
{{album chart|Canada|3|chartid=9145|access-date=December 12, 2024|refname=CA_YE90}}
|-
|-
|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1990|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1990&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1990|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
Line 242: Line 244:
|align="center"|93
|align="center"|93
|-
|-
|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3879|title=Top Selling Albums of 1990|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>
|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1990-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1990|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=February 15, 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|-
|-
Line 255: Line 257:
!Chart (1991)
!Chart (1991)
!Position
!Position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|23|chartid=1702|access-date=December 12, 2024|refname=CA_YE91}}
|-
|-
|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=February 20, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|37
|align="center"|37
|-
|-
|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/albums?chart=3880|title=Top Selling Albums of 1991|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>
|New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/annual-albums/1991-12-31|title=Top Selling Albums of 1991|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=February 11, 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|37
|align="center"|37
|-
|-
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|certmonth=4|access-date=October 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Japan|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|certmonth=4|access-date=October 22, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1991}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Netherlands|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Gold|relyear=1990|certyear=1991}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|id=3454|access-date=6 June 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|artist=M.C. Hammer|title=Please Hammer|award=Platinum|id=1991-05-10|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|relyear=1990}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|certref=<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/vqzno2c0fe48zam/Spanish+Certifications+for+1991-1995.pdf |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Sociedad General de Autores y Editores|Fundación Autor/SGAE]] |page=930 |isbn=84-8048-639-2 |access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|certref=<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverrie |first=Fernando |date=September 2005 |url=http://www.mediafire.com/file/vqzno2c0fe48zam/Spanish+Certifications+for+1991-1995.pdf |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |language=es |edition=1st |location=Madrid |publisher=[[Sociedad General de Autores y Editores|Fundación Autor/SGAE]] |page=930 |isbn=84-8048-639-2 |access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'em|award=Gold|relyear=1990}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'em|award=Gold|relyear=1990}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1990|id=5135-2642-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=MC Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=1990|id=5135-2642-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Diamond|relyear=1990|salesamount=10,100,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southpawer.com/2015/05/17/the-10-best-selling-rap-albums-of-all-time-in-usa/|title=The 10 Best Selling Rap Albums Of All Time In USA|work=Southpaw – Supporting Eminem|date=17 May 2015|access-date=11 July 2015}}{{better source needed|date=May 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Diamond|relyear=1990|salesamount=10,100,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southpawer.com/2015/05/17/the-10-best-selling-rap-albums-of-all-time-in-usa/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528204428/http://www.southpawer.com/2015/05/17/the-10-best-selling-rap-albums-of-all-time-in-usa/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 28, 2015|title=The 10 Best Selling Rap Albums Of All Time In USA|work=Southpaw – Supporting Eminem|date=17 May 2015|access-date=11 July 2015}}{{better source needed|date=May 2018}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=video|artist=Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|refname=video|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|note=Video longform}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=video|artist=Hammer|title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em|award=Platinum|number=2|refname=video|relyear=1990|certyear=1991|note=Video longform}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}


== Film ==
== Film ==
The ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' album was accompanied by a [[direct-to-video]] film titled '''''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie''''' (1990).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie/overview |title=MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617211600/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie/overview |archive-date=2013-06-17 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It stars Hammer as a rapper who returns to his old neighborhood, and defeats an [[illegal drug trade]] dealer who is using kids to traffic his product. Hammer plays an additional role of preacher "[[MC Hammer#Christian beliefs and ministry|Reverend Pressure]]". The film costarred Juice Sneed, Keyon White, Joe Mack and Davina H'Ollier.
The ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'' album was accompanied by a [[direct-to-video]] film titled ''Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie/overview |title=MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617211600/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Don-t-Hurt-em-The-Movie/overview |archive-date=2013-06-17 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It stars Hammer as a rapper who returns to his old neighborhood and defeats an [[illegal drug trade]] dealer who is using kids to traffic his product. Hammer plays the additional role of preacher Reverend Pressure. The film costarred Juice Sneed, Keyon White, Joe Mack and Davina H'Ollier.


The movie won Hammer, director [[Rupert Wainwright]] and producer John Oetjen a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Music Film|Best Music Video, Long Form]] at the [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards#Music video|33rd Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rwainwright.com/home.html |title=Rupert Wainwright – Director |publisher=Rwainwright.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707153349/http://rwainwright.com/home.html |archive-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/33rd-annual-grammy-awards-1990%23category-184 |title=33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1990): Best Music Video - Long Form - Winner |publisher=GRAMMY.com |access-date=2021-01-28 }}</ref> Besides Hammer, music talent included Ho Frat Hoo! ([[1991 MTV Video Music Awards]] [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards#Best Choreography in a Video|Best Choreography in a Video]] winner for "[[Pray (MC Hammer song)|Pray]]" along with Hammer), Torture, [[Special Generation (band)|Special Generation]] and rapper One Cause One Effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/242712-Ho-Frat-Hoo|title = Ho Frat Hoo|website = [[Discogs]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/ho-frat-ho|title = Kappa Alpha Psi Member Details His Journey from MC Hammer's Backup Dancer to Southern University-Educated Lawyer|date = 28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/u-cant-touch-this/Content?oid=1371067&showFullText=true|title = U Can't Touch This|date = 9 September 2009}}</ref>
The movie won Hammer, director [[Rupert Wainwright]] and producer John Oetjen a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Music Video, Long Form]] at the [[33rd Annual Grammy Awards#Music video|33rd Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rwainwright.com/home.html |title=Rupert Wainwright – Director |publisher=Rwainwright.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707153349/http://rwainwright.com/home.html |archive-date=2013-07-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/33rd-annual-grammy-awards-1990%23category-184 |title=33rd Annual GRAMMY Awards (1990): Best Music Video - Long Form - Winner |publisher=GRAMMY.com |access-date=2021-01-28 }}</ref> Besides Hammer, music talent included Ho Frat Hoo! ([[1991 MTV Video Music Awards]] [[1991 MTV Video Music Awards#Best Choreography in a Video|Best Choreography in a Video]] winner for "Pray" along with Hammer), Torture, [[Special Generation (band)|Special Generation]] and One Cause One Effect.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/242712-Ho-Frat-Hoo|title = Ho Frat Hoo|website = [[Discogs]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/ho-frat-ho|title = Kappa Alpha Psi Member Details His Journey from MC Hammer's Backup Dancer to Southern University-Educated Lawyer|date = 28 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/u-cant-touch-this/Content?oid=1371067&showFullText=true|title = U Can't Touch This|date = 9 September 2009}}</ref>


Additional releases included '''''The Making of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em''''' (1990),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/177439/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em-the-movie |title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990) |publisher=Moviesplanet.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210011501/http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/177439/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em-the-movie |archive-date=2013-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Hammer Time'' (1990) and ''Here Comes the Hammer'' (1991). All projects were [[Capitol Records]] Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.amctv.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Dont-Hurt-em-The-Mov/overview |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117100408/http://movies.amctv.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Dont-Hurt-em-The-Mov/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-17 |title=Movie Mashup |publisher=Movies.amctv.com |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://articles.latimes.com/1991-06-06/sports/sp-96_1_hammer-time |title=Hammer Time : When Big Money Comes Down From His Son, Lewis Burrell's Dream Sees the Light of Day|first=Andrew|last=Beyer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2007-05-20 |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1502362 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414110600/http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1502362 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-14 |title=Please Hammer don't hurt 'em [videorecording&#93; / Bust It Productions presents a Fragile Films Production of a Rupert Wainwright film. – Item Details – Chicago Public Library |publisher=Chipublib.org |date=2007-02-07 |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref>
Additional releases included ''The Making of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/177439/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em-the-movie |title=Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie (1990) |publisher=Moviesplanet.com |access-date=2013-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130210011501/http://www.moviesplanet.com/movies/177439/please-hammer-don-t-hurt-em-the-movie |archive-date=2013-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Hammer Time'' and ''Here Comes the Hammer''. All projects were [[Capitol Records]] Productions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.amctv.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Dont-Hurt-em-The-Mov/overview |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117100408/http://movies.amctv.com/movie/65547/MC-Hammer-Please-Hammer-Dont-Hurt-em-The-Mov/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-01-17 |title=Movie Mashup |publisher=Movies.amctv.com |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-06-sp-96-story.html |title=Hammer Time : When Big Money Comes Down From His Son, Lewis Burrell's Dream Sees the Light of Day|first=Andrew|last=Beyer|work=Los Angeles Times|date=2007-05-20 |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1502362 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414110600/http://www.chipublib.org/search/details/cn/1502362 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-04-14 |title=Please Hammer don't hurt 'em [videorecording&#93; / Bust It Productions presents a Fragile Films Production of a Rupert Wainwright film. – Item Details – Chicago Public Library |publisher=Chipublib.org |date=2007-02-07 |access-date=2013-07-25}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 01:28, 13 December 2024

Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
Studio album by
MC Hammer
ReleasedFebruary 12, 1990 (1990-02-12)
Recorded1988–1989
GenreHip hop
Length59:04
Label
Producer
MC Hammer chronology
Let's Get It Started
(1988) 		Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
(1990) 		Too Legit to Quit
(1991)
Singles from Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
  1. "Help the Children"
    Released: January 10, 1990
  2. "Dancin' Machine"
    Released: February 1990
  3. "U Can't Touch This"
    Released: April 1990
  4. "Have You Seen Her"
    Released: June 1990
  5. "Pray"
    Released: August 21, 1990
  6. "Here Comes the Hammer"
    Released: December 1990

Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em is the third studio album by American rapper MC Hammer, released on February 12, 1990[1] by Capitol Records and EMI Records. Produced, recorded and mixed by Felton Pilate and James Earley, the album was made on a small budget of around $10,000 and recorded on a modified tour bus between May 1988 and November 1989.

Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em received lukewarm reviews from critics, yet received five nominations at the 1991 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, becoming the first hip hop record to be nominated in this category, as well as winning five awards at the 1991 American Music Awards. The album is considered Hammer's mainstream breakthrough and a commercial juggernaut. It peaked at number one for twenty-one weeks on the US Billboard 200, becoming the first rap recording to top the pop chart, and was the best-selling album of 1990. It was the first hip hop album to be certified diamond in the US,[2][3] was certified platinum in several countries, and was one of the best-selling hip hop albums worldwide, selling more than 18 million units to date.[4][5][6][7]

Six official singles were released to promote the album, including the smash hit "U Can't Touch This" which reached the top 10 at the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one in Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden, and number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. Following the album's success, Hammer embarked on the Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em World Tour, which stretched from 1990 to 1991 with 144 dates, grossing over $32 million.[8]

Background

[edit]

Hammer's previous album, Let's Get It Started, had sold over 1.5 million units in the United States by the end of 1989.[9] Not satisfied with the platinum success, Hammer chose to deviate from the standard rap format in his next album. Though some purists[who?] criticized him for being more of a dancer than a rapper, Hammer defended his style: "People were ready for something different from the traditional rap style. The fact that the record has reached this level indicates the genre is growing."

While on tour in the summer of 1988, Hammer started to record his third studio album on a modified tour bus. After spending part of his advance from Capitol Records on $50,000 worth of equipment for the back of the tour bus, he used his free time on the road to record his next album.[10] It was produced, recorded and mixed by Felton Pilate and James Earley on the bus in 1989.[11] According to Guinness World Records, the album cost just $10,000 to produce, roughly the same budget as Hammer's independent debut.[12] Capitol marketed the album by sending free cassette singles and a personalized letter to 100,000 children, most of whom were Black or Hispanic. The letter, signed by Hammer, asked young people to phone MTV and request his video.[13]

Album overview and promotion

[edit]

The album was supported by the single "U Can't Touch This"; follow-up singles included "Have You Seen Her" (a cover of the Chi-Lites) and "Pray" (a beat sampled from Prince's "When Doves Cry" and Faith No More's "We Care a Lot").[14] The album was notable for sampling other high-profile artists: "Dancin' Machine" sampled The Jackson 5, "Help the Children" (also the name of an outreach foundation Hammer started)[15] interpolates Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)", and "She's Soft and Wet" sampled Prince's "Soft and Wet".

Following the album's success, Hammer toured extensively in Europe, including a sold-out concert at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. With the sponsorship of PepsiCo International, Pepsi CEO Christopher A. Sinclair went on tour with him in 1991.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[4]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[16]
Los Angeles Times[17]
RapReviews5/10[18]
Rolling Stone[14]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[19]
The Village VoiceC+[20]

Hammer experienced critical backlash over the repetitive nature of his lyrics, his clean-cut image and his perceived over-reliance on hooks from other artists for the basis of his singles. Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em was also criticized for its sampling of songs by other musicians.[14] Hammer was dissed in music videos by The D.O.C. and Ice Cube. Oakland hip-hop group Digital Underground mocked him in the CD insert of their Sex Packets album by placing his picture with the other members and referring to him as an unknown derelict. He was also mentioned in the song "The Humpty Dance", with Shock G claiming: "People say 'Ya look like MC Hammer on crack, Humpty!'" On LL Cool J's track "To da Break of Dawn", Hammer is referenced as an "amateur, swinging a Hammer from a body bag [his pants]". Additional lyrics included "my old gym teacher ain't supposed to rap." He later referenced Hammer in "I Shot Ya (remix)", a track on his 1995 album Mr. Smith. However, LL Cool J would later compliment and commend Hammer's talents on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop, which aired in 2008.[21]

The album received five nominations at the 1991 Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, becoming the first hip hop record nominated in this category. Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em won Best Rap Solo Performance and Best R&B Song for "U Can't Touch This" and Best Music Video, Long Form for the film accompanying the album. The album also won five awards at the 1991 American Music Awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Album, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album and Favorite Pop/Rock Album.

Commercial reception

[edit]

Released on February 12, 1990, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em reached the number one position on the US Billboard 200 in the week ending June 9, 1990, becoming the first rap album to reach the top spot on the pop charts.[22] It remained a total of 21 weeks at the top of US Billboard 200,[23][24] the longest run by a male black artist since Michael Jackson's Thriller.[25] Likewise, the album saw longevity on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, peaking at No. 1 and staying atop the chart for twenty-eight weeks. Most of the singles released from the album proved to be successful on radio and television, with "U Can't Touch This", "Pray", "Have You Seen Her", "Here Comes the Hammer" and UK exclusive "Yo!! Sweetness" all charting. Despite heavy airplay and a No. 27 chart debut, "U Can't Touch This" peaked at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart because it was released only as a twelve-inch vinyl single with no other format available.[26][clarification needed]

By August, the album was selling over 100,000 copies a day.[27] In fewer than six months, it sold more than four million copies, making it the best-selling rap album at the time, beating Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill.[28] By January 1991, the album reached 8 million units sold, becoming the first album to do so in one calendar year since Prince's Purple Rain in 1984.[29][30][31] By May 1991, the album was certified diamond with over ten million sales in the US.[2][32] It was the top-selling album of 1990 in the United States, and is one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time.[3]

In Canada, the album was the sixth best-selling album of 1990, and the single "U Can't Touch This" was the sixth best-selling single of that year.[33] Eventually, the album was certified 8× platinum for selling over 800,000 units in the country, and won International Album of the Year at the 1991 Juno Awards.[34] The album was also certified triple platinum in New Zealand. In May 1991, Hammer received an award for sales of more than 1 million units of the album in EMI Music Worldwide's international territories of Japan, SE Asia, Australasia, Africa and Latin America.[35] As of July 1991, it had sold 17 million copies worldwide.[36]

Lawsuits

[edit]

Rick James sued Hammer for copyright infringement on the song "U Can't Touch This", but the suit was settled out of court when Hammer agreed to credit James as co-composer, allowing him to earn royalties. Hammer was also sued by a former producer, Felton Pilate, and by several of his former backers. Additionally, he faced charges that performance troupe members endured an abusive, militaristic atmosphere.[37]

In 1992, Hammer admitted in depositions and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes the Hammer" from a Texas-based Christian recording artist named Kevin Abdullah. Abdullah had filed a US$16 million lawsuit against Hammer for copyright infringement for his song entitled "Oh-Oh, You Got the Shing".[38] Hammer settled with Abdullah for $250,000 in 1995.[39]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Here Comes the Hammer"Stanley Burrell4:32
2."U Can't Touch This"Stanley Burrell, Rick James, Alonzo Miller4:17
3."Have You Seen Her" (The Chi-Lites cover)Stanley Burrell, Barbara Acklin, Eugene Record4:42
4."Yo!! Sweetness"Stanley Burrell4:36
5."Help the Children"Stanley Burrell, Marvin Gaye5:17
6."On Your Face" (Earth, Wind & Fire cover)Charles Stepney, Maurice White, Philip Bailey4:32
7."Dancin' Machine" (The Jackson 5 cover)Hal Davis, Don Fletcher, Dean Parks2:55
8."Pray"Stanley Burrell, Prince5:13
9."Crime Story"Stanley Burrell5:09
10."She's Soft and Wet"Stanley Burrell, Prince, Chris Moon3:25
11."Black Is Black"Stanley Burrell4:31
12."Let's Go Deeper"Stanley Burrell5:16
13."Work This"Stanley Burrell5:03

Samples

[edit]

"Work This"

[edit]

"Help the Children"

[edit]

"Here Comes the Hammer"

[edit]

"Pray"

[edit]

"U Can't Touch This"

[edit]

"Yo!! Sweetness"

[edit]

"She's Soft and Wet"

[edit]

"Black Is Black"

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[74] Platinum 70,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[75] Gold 25,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[76] 8× Platinum 800,000^
France (SNEP)[77] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[78] Gold 250,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[79] 2× Platinum 400,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[80] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[81] Platinum 15,000^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[82] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[83] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[84] 2× Platinum 600,000^
United States (RIAA)[86] Diamond 10,100,000[85]
United States (RIAA)[87]
Video longform 		2× Platinum 200,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Film

[edit]

The Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em album was accompanied by a direct-to-video film titled Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie.[88] It stars Hammer as a rapper who returns to his old neighborhood and defeats an illegal drug trade dealer who is using kids to traffic his product. Hammer plays the additional role of preacher Reverend Pressure. The film costarred Juice Sneed, Keyon White, Joe Mack and Davina H'Ollier.

The movie won Hammer, director Rupert Wainwright and producer John Oetjen a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Long Form at the 33rd Grammy Awards.[89][90] Besides Hammer, music talent included Ho Frat Hoo! (1991 MTV Video Music Awards Best Choreography in a Video winner for "Pray" along with Hammer), Torture, Special Generation and One Cause One Effect.[91][92][93]

Additional releases included The Making of Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em,[94] Hammer Time and Here Comes the Hammer. All projects were Capitol Records Productions.[95][96][97]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "MSN Music entry for Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em". Archived from the original on 2012-06-06. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
  2. ^ a b "article". community.allhiphop.com. Archived from the original on 2009-02-01.
  3. ^ a b Holden, Stephen (1990-12-26). "The Pop Life (Published 1990)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  4. ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em – MC Hammer". AllMusic. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  5. ^ CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY (2001-06-24). "Rap's Teen Idols Return". Time. Archived from the original on August 30, 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  6. ^ Cassidy, John. "The Talk of the Town: Under the Hammer". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  7. ^ "MC Hammer Biography". sing365.com. Archived from the original on 2012-07-15.
  8. ^ "Billboard" (PDF). Worldradiohistory.com. 1991-11-09. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "M.C. Hammer // Surge in popularity surprises rapper". Star Tribune. September 21, 1990. 418232632 – via Proquest.
  10. ^ Harris, Laurie Lanzen (February 1993). Biography Today, Annual Cumulation 1992: Profiles of People of Interest to Young Readers. Omnigraphics, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-55888-139-6.
  11. ^ "MC Hammer: Biography from". Answers.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  12. ^ "Music Feats". Guinnessworldrecords.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-22. Retrieved 2010-10-24.
  13. ^ Ressner, Jeffrey (1990-09-06). "Hammer Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  14. ^ a b c Corcoran, Michael (May 17, 1990). "MC Hammer: Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  15. ^ [1] [dead link‍]
  16. ^ Sandow, Greg (February 16, 1990). "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  17. ^ Gold, Jonathan (February 25, 1990). "M.C. Hammer 'Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em' Capitol". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  18. ^ Juon, Steve "Flash" (June 24, 2008). "M.C. Hammer :: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em :: Capitol Records". RapReviews. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  19. ^ Considine, J. D.; Brackett, Nathan (2004). "Hammer". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. p. 359. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  20. ^ Christgau, Robert (July 31, 1990). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  21. ^ "LL Cool J Finally Talks About Dissing MC Hammer 30 Years Ago In Infamous Beef". Atlanta Blackstar. November 14, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  22. ^ "M.C. Hammer, nailing down pop hits". USA TODAY. June 14, 1990. ProQuest 306323677 – via Proquest.
  23. ^ MC Hammer. "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: Information from". Answers.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-04-10.
  24. ^ "Chart Rewind: In 1990, MC Hammer Nailed Down the No. 1 Spot on the Billboard 200". Billboard.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  25. ^ Chan, Alfonso (January 16, 1991). "Hammer zooms up to the top".
  26. ^ Billboard Hot 100 charts: 1990 Each week's chart has a key for a single's format availability (CD, cassette, etc.). Scroll down to any week where "U Can't Touch This" is on the Hot 100, and it will reflect that only a 12-inch single is available.
  27. ^ Dillard-Rosen, Sandra (August 10, 1990). "M.C. Hammer performance a lot more than 'rap light'". Denver Post. pp. 4B. ProQuest 291256295.
  28. ^ "M.C. Hammer a rapper with plenty of appeal: [". Chicago Tribune. p. 5. 282969117 – via Proquest.
  29. ^ "LED ZEPPELIN, CCR SCORE BIG IN DECEMBER CERTIFICATIONS" (PDF). Billboard. January 12, 1991. p. 86.
  30. ^ "Rappers Pile On The Metal; Zep, CCR Also Score In Dec" (PDF). Billboard. January 12, 1991. p. 9.
  31. ^ "Rapper M.C. Hammer adds new award". The Province. February 5, 1991. ProQuest 267397767.
  32. ^ "Hammer Hits 10-Times Platinum". Billboard. May 11, 1991. p. 8. ProQuest 226977790.
  33. ^ "Pop toppers range from vice to Ice". The Vancouver Sun. pp. F3. ProQuest 243502646.
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