Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Who Is MC Hammer?
Stanley Kirk Burrell, more famously known by his stage name MC Hammer or simply Hammer, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Burrell gained mainstream fame for his smash hits like “U Can’t Touch This” and “2 Legit 2 Quit.”
MC Hammer is regarded by many as one of the greatest rappers and dancers of all time. He was particularly an influential figure during the 80s and 90s.
In addition to music, MC Hammer has also involved himself in numerous entrepreneurial ventures. Unfortunately, the Oakland-based rapper isn’t wealthier as most of his fans would expect. Read on to find out why.
MC Hammer Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Stanley Kirk Burrell |
| Popular Name: | MC Hammer |
| Nicknames: | M.C. Hammer, Hammer, Hammerman, Hammertime, King Hammer, K.B, Holy Ghost Boy, and Pipeline |
| Birth Date: | March 30, 1962 |
| Age: | 60 years |
| Parents: | Louis Burrell Sr. and Betty Burrell |
| Siblings: | Louis Burrell and Chris Burrell |
| Birth Place: | Oakland, California, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | African-American |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Education: | McClymonds High School |
| Marital Status: | Married to Stephanie Burrell (since December 21, 1985) |
| Husband/Spouse: | Johnny Depp (m. 2015; div. 2017) |
| Children: | Bobby Burrell, Jeremiah Burrell, Samuel “Sammy” Burrell, Sarah Burrell, and A’keiba Burrell |
| Net Worth: | USD 2 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Record & Album Sales, Dancing & Choreography, Songwriting, Record Producing, Endorsement Deals, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 11″ (1.82 m) |
| Weight: | In kilograms: 78 kg; In pounds: 171 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Stanley Kirk Burrell was born on March 30, 1962, in Oakland, California, United States, to Louis Burrell Sr. and Betty Burrell. His father was a warehouse supervisor who also worked as a casino manager and professional poker player, whereas his mother was a secretary.
Burrell attended McClymonds High School and graduated from the school in 1980. He played second base while in high school and harbored dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. However, he failed to make the cut during a San Francisco Giants tryouts.
Music Career
After graduating from high school, MC Hammer served in the United States Navy for three years before shifting his attention to music.
Hammer kicked off his music career by co-founding a Christian rap group known as the Holy Ghost Boys, alongside fellow rapper Jon Gibson (J.G). Some of the songs credited to the group include “Word” and “B. Boy Chill.”
After failing to clinch a record deal, M.C Hammer borrowed $20,000 from Dwayne Murphy and Mike Davis. He invested the funds in starting a record label known as Bust It Productions (later Bustin’ Records). In 1987, Hammer released his debut album, ‘Feel My Power,’ through his record label. The album sold more than 60,000 copies, with the singles ‘Let’s Get it Started’ and ‘Ring Em’ emerging as its most popular hits.
MC Hammer has since followed up with ten more studio albums. They include;
• Let’s Get It Started (1988)
• Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990)
• Too Legit to Quit (1991)
• The Funky Headhunter (1994)
• Inside Out (1995)
• Family Affair (1998)
• Active Duty (2001)
• Full Blast (2004)
• Look Look Look (2006)
• DanceJamtheMusic (2009)
Some of Hammer’s most successful hits from his various albums include “U Cant Touch This,” “Don’t Hurt ‘Em,” and “Too Legit To Quit.”
Other Ventures
Although best known for his rapping prowess, MC Hammer is a multitalented musician who has successfully dabbled in many other ventures.
In 1990, Hammer produced and starred in his own movie, titled ‘Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em: The Movie.’ He has also made several film appearances, including One Tough Bastard (1996), Reggie’s Prayer (1996), The Right Connections (1997), Deadly Rhapsody (2001), Finishing the Game (2007) and 1040 (2010).
MC Hammer also worked as an ordained preacher. Besides, he has hosted a number of TV shows and worked as a judge in dance competitions. Not to mention his many business endeavors.
MC Hammer’s Net Worth
MC Hammer has a net worth of $2 million, as of July 1, 2022. Hammer earned much of his fortune from his various exploits in the music industry, which include rapping, singing, songwriting, dancing, choreography, and record producing.
A significant portion of MC Hammer’s wealth also comes from entrepreneurial ventures. The rapper has invested in numerous successful businesses over the years.
In 1991, MC Hammer established Oaktown Stable. The business became an instant success and went on to have nineteen thoroughbred horses. Many of the horses won several prestigious horse-racing championships, adding more money to Hammer’s bank accounts.
From the late-1990s to the early-2000s, Hammer partnered with a clothing line known as J Slick in a deal that saw him found an interactive online portal called M.C Hammer USA. As it turned out, this was only the beginning of Hammer’s many involvements in the internet industry. He would later be associated with numerous online projects, such as TechCrunch 40 conferences and DanceJam.com. The latter investment, which was a Menlo Park-based community website dedicated exclusively to dancing video competitions and techniques, was valued at $4.5 million.
In July 2010, MC Hammer founded a mixed martial arts (MMA) management company known as Alchemist Management. The company sought to manage and promote fighters. It featured a number of high-profile artists, including Nate Marquardt, Vladimir Matyushenko, and Tim. F. Kennedy. Shortly after establishing Alchemist Management, M.C Hammer founded a related clothing line known as Alchemist Clothing.
MC Hammer has also appeared in marketing ads for several renowned brands. Examples include Pepsi, Toshiba, Taco Bell, KFC, and British Knights.
But for a successful rapper with such ambitious entrepreneurial spirits, one would expect MC Hammer’s net worth to be in the regions of hundreds of millions. In fact, during the height of his career, Hammer was one of the highest-earning rappers. He made a cool $33 million in 1991, which works out at around $70 million after adjusting for inflation.
Unfortunately, Hammer was not a very mindful spender during his career. The rapper cum dancer gained notoriety for his lavish lifestyle, which many credit for the decline in his fortunes. He blew much of his wealth on luxury sports cars, private jets, and unsound real estate investments. Besides, he maintained a huge entourage on which he spent up to half a million dollars every month.
Between 1990 and 1996, MC Hammer had accumulated debt amounting to around $10 million. He officially filed for bankruptcy in 1996. By 2013, Hammer still owed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) $800,000 in back taxes and penalties.
Lessons from MC Hammer
1. Everything happens for a reason
While in high school, MC Hammer dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. But when he failed to make the cut at a San Francisco Giants tryout, Hammer decided to shift his attention to music. The rest is history.
2. Always maintain a proper expense management system
MC Hammer’s rags-to-riches-to-rags-and-back story teaches us one fundamental money lesson – that we should always track our expenditures. Spending like there’s no tomorrow is the surest way to bankruptcy.
3. Never tire of stretching a helping hand
Some media outlets have attributed MC Hammer’s bankruptcy to his ‘overly generous’ nature. However, the rapper has since explained that he doesn’t regret helping others and wouldn’t hesitate to do so if given another chance.
Quotes by MC Hammer
A long time ago, I made the commitment to dedicate at least one song per album to God. He has been very good to me, and never for one minute do I want Him to think I’ve forgotten, because I haven’t.
I always believe that the sky is the beginning of the limit.
I make an active effort to remain a positive role model to kids. They need people to show them there’s another way.
Money has never been an issue with me. I will make and continue to make plenty of money.
You don’t have to invent the wheel, but you might want to be the company that invents the rims.
Wrap Up
MC Hammer is an accomplished rapper with an experience spanning more than three decades. Although he’s in his 60s, Hammer hasn’t shown any signs of exiting the stage yet.
