MC Hammer's Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em: Inside the First Diamond Selling Rap Album (1990) | 50 For 50

Can a Diamond selling rap album actually alienate its own genre? In this episode of 50 For 50, hosts Garrett Gonzales and Mike Joseph dissect the massive 1990 cultural shift caused by MC Hammer’s Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em. While Stanley Burrell’s journey from Feel the Power to global superstardom resulted in the first-ever Diamond-certified rap LP, it also sparked a fierce debate: was this album bad for the genre? The duo analyzes the heavy use of samples—and the resulting high-profile lawsuits—that defined the album's sound. They explore the 1990 musical landscape, Hammer’s Grammy wins, and the reason behind his absence from Questlove’s Hip Hop 50th tribute. Finally, the guys break down the rapid decline of a career that once sat at the very top of the world. Whether you're a lifelong fan or a skeptic of the parachute pants era, this deep dive offers a definitive look at the man who made "Hammer Time" a household phrase.Find 50 For 50: Website: https://www.50for50.net/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@50_For_50 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/50-for-50-life-music-friendship/id1857746432 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ADmN7bp4fXQzAZsnSuFQj?si=a283674c59b44be2 Contact at: [email protected]