Happy Birthday Stanley Burrell a.k.a. MC Hammer born on March 30, 1962.
I still remember that night at the Oakland Coliseum- November 29, 1989.It was two weeks before my 12th birthday.Was saw Patrick Ewing go for 40 as the Knicks took on the Golden State Warriors.Of course I was there rockin the Raider Nation black hoodie and Purple Lakers snapback, but nobody seemed to mind.Above else, I remember meeting MC Hammer.
My pops and I had some decent season tickets for Warrior games back then at the Oakland Colosseum- something like row A section 26 seats 15 and 16 along the floor aisle.Nobody in front of us so we could rest our arms along the front railing.We saw all the Oakland-Bay Area A-Listers at those Dubs games, from the legendary Ricky Henderson, to the great Baba Danny Glover and funk band Tony! Toni! Toné! just to name a few.To this day, the star above stars was MC Hammer.
1992 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS – Gallery – Airdate: January 27, 1992. (Photo by Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images)
Now keep in mind, this was about six months before he released the first certified Diamond selling album in Hip-Hop history- Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, but since I was already a certified Hip-Hop head and funketeer I knew exactly who Hammer was.I already scored some exclusive vinyl from DJ Super Snake right out the trunk near the Dunfy Hotel in San Mateo earlier that summer and I had the Let’s Get it Started tape too.So it turns out Hammer and his road dog 2 Big MC stopped and chopped it up with me and pops for nearly five minutes!
Now if I hadn’t met him and I would have still been a big fan because his music is banging and I appreciated the fact the he and his crew could step like no other outside of Michael Jackson himself!That’s saying a lot!Above all else, I’ve remained such a loyal fan because he makes relatively clean, yet banging Rap music.I was raised in strict household and it refreshing to be able to enjoy Hammer’s music given he didn’t cuss, didn’t glorify drugs and alcoholand tried his best to be a positive role model for Black children.
Hammer paved the way for Hip-Hop artists to have better access to venues and avenues of stardom, wealth and accolades.
So Im proud to wish Stanley Burrell a.k.a Reverend Pressure a.k.a. MC Hammer a happy 60th birthday this March 30th 2022.I am thankful to have witnessed your greatness!
*Special shout out to his producer, the legendary Con Funk Shun musician, Felton Pilate and his crew (then known as The Posse) 2 Bigg MC, Oaktown’s 357, DJ Redeemed, The Lone Mixer (RIP), Ace Juice, Ho Frat Ho, Act a Fool, No Bones, Snupe, Goofy and Randy*
Da Underground Sound : Top 5ive – 3.26.22 "Drip" - D3szn feat E-40 & Ohgeesy - "Wow Factor" - Phife Dawg, Maseo - "Child of God" - Chance the Rapper - "Diet Coke" - Pusha T feat. Rick Ross - "Ancestors" - Large Pro -
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