The Story of MC Hammer: Certified Gangster 

Just because someone endorses peace, doesn’t mean he’s soft…🙏

I worked concert security for MC Hammer. He was the coolest, most down to Earth celebrity I ever worked for. He was backstage slap boxing with us before he went on. He even let us come on his touring bus and hang out on the stage during his performance. That man definitely has hands and a kind heart.

MC Hammer the only person I know to get off Death Row Records with no problems

Respect to Hammer, he never glorified violence or the street. But it looks like he knew both well

Hammer is like that nice neighbor who goes to church but has a crazy backstory that tells you not to underestimate him

True definition of a real one. When I was young and in little league we had a practice at the batters box in Fremont Ca where he resided. He came in with his entourage to obviously do what he loves and crack some ball. One of my teammates asked for an autograph and he ended up signing them for my whole team. First autograph I ever got as a kid. Hammer was a true real one and an all around good solid dude… Bay Area Legend.

MC Hammer was a member of the F**k around and Find Out Gang😂💯

This video gave me a new respect for Hammer. I don’t care for that street stuff but the fact that he was with the business and still chose to make his music a positive influence tells me he’s the real deal. He could’ve easily done gangster rap but chose to do something better.

"That Hammer don't fuckin' play!" - Redman

That shit funny as hell . All these studio gangsters think they taking an easy shot at Hammer . Little did they know he was more gangster than them 😂

Hammer is the baddest dude in Rap History... Fact. And the fact he kept that life out of his music in order to not corrupt the youth makes him a gentleman, too. I have serious props for the dude. I outgrew his music when I got older, but I thought he was the sh1t when I was a kid.

Never judge a book by its cover. Hammer is a street legend. One of the smoothest gangster rappers ever. Hammer hit different than most

Nothing but respect. Definition of "Real Gs move in silence"

Actually MC Hammer was ahead of his time because he was the first rapper that really made commercial success like having a mansion, making million dollar deals, being on commercials, etc.

I'm from the Town (Oakland). As a kid Hammer was just a dance symbol to me. I never really looked at him as a rap artist. But when I grew up and found out who he was connected with it was immediate respect. The people named in this video, The MOB (My Other Brother), were and still are Legends. Hammer was definitely not one to mess wit.

So people was really out there yelling “Please Hammer don’t hurt em!!!”. 🤣🤣

I hear about these stories with Hammer and respect his demeanor and approach. With each of those scenarios, hammer gave them a warning instead having an immediate reaction out of anger, ego or disrespect. This is how someone who can, but see's the bigger picture, will first choose not to resort to violence. Some of those cats and their music lives on today, because how Hammer chose to respond to those circumstances. That's what's up.

*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !* _Tappin' in from South Central LA_ One of the many lessons I received in the streets from the OGs is that the quiet, smiling, humble cats are the ones you don't f**k around with ! Salute to Hammer for staying true ✊🏾

Don't Disrespect Hammer, His Squad Got Them Hammers.

Keep in mind. Paying someone $40 -$50k back then would be equal to paying someone $100k today. And that $30 mil he made is equivalent to nearly $100 mil today. So hammer was literally paying everyone a ton of money just to hang out and be apart of the crew

I've just gained a whole new level of respect for Hammer. Legendary!

Hammer has ALWAYS been a real dude and hes still a boss dudes a computer genius. This was great content right here! Respect bro

Respect to Hammer. Ice T bigged him up on his OG album when everyone else thought it was cool to diss, so respect to him too. I’ve heard a lot of crazy stuff about H - really enjoyed the vid. Thanks

I was a super fan of MC Hammer as a kid. Gangsta rap stopped that mentality. Now, as an adult, I appreciate the business mentality that Hammer showed. It's crazy that he was the most gangsta of them all.

Hammer was a good dude man he helped his people out & in my book that makes hammer SOLID

the fact that Suge was scared and respected Hammer says alot

Thank you for making this. I've been telling people for years that Hammer was a real one.

I've met many people like hammer. There are just some people you will either respect or you'll become a memory. This is why I always say never underestimate anyone nor disrespect people. Enemies can be made in seconds.

This voice over is hilarious... feel like I'm on the receiving end of an anonymous phone call.

I am 42 years old and I would watch Mc hammer on the jukeboxes and mtv. I wonder how many people knew it was a M.C Hammer cartoon that came on Saturday mornings. Now I know why I always like Hammer.

Hammer need a Netflix Series!!

Salute fellow shipmate Burrell. I was a machinist mate down in the engine room. Hammer was a aviation store keep.

I was born amd raised in East Oakland. EVERYBODY from thr spil know Stanley is wit da business. Dont let thay dancing stuff fool yall

That boy needed counseling 3 times a week still shook 20 years later after getting pressed and he had audacity to call anyone a bitch lmao

Some of my earliest hip hop memories as a kid were from Hammer. He had clean lyrics so my parents let be buy his first CD at Price Club aka Costco in the early 90’s. This video was fantastic. Thanks for putting it out ✌️

Dawg it sounds to me like MC Hammer was a stand up guy. Stood on what he stood on, didn’t glorify bangin and wasn’t scared to squab. Real G shit

I was a HUGE fan of Hammer back in the day,LOVED his music and dancing !!! LOVED watching his performances on tv also.Didn't know Hammer did a stint in the navy,other docs said it was the navy reserves.Very big difference.Glad Hammer went and made his dreams come true,instead of taking the easy way ( drugs,violence,not working )BET should do a film on Hammer like they did with New Edition.

Even though his music was over saturated on the airwaves back in the day I always had respect for MC Hammer as a performer…I would have gone to his concert in a second if someone has invited me…I never thought of MC Hammer as hard or soft..he just seemed like a good person but he still seem like someone you didn’t want to try…you can just tell if you been around people who are about that life

I remember seeing Hammer when I was lil boy I got the chance to see Hammer live in concert here in Oklahoma City. I was dressed in the whole Hammer get up gold and all. I can still see him on stage doing his thang, it was an helluva experience and I’m 36 now and can still remember it all.

I can't lie hammer was the 1st rapper to touch $30M"s and many rappers had better albums 😂😂

Even Suge Knight told a story to Vibe Magazine, about how Hammer directly stepped to him. Because Hammer thought Suge made death threats toward him, during a phone call. But it was somebody else. This was when Suge had damn near everybody shook in Cali. But not Hammer, Hammer didn't give a f**k. Lol 😂. #Pioneer #Legend 🐐💯

I try to explain that The Bay Gangsters are Different. They may seem flamboyant and dance around But they still wit the Business.

I grew up across the street from his place on Fairfax. He and his fam treated me like I was a lil brother! Nothin but MAD LOVE & RESPECT to HAMMER and the Bank Boys!

Growing up to Hammers music, it never was even a thought that he was really out there on some real G shit punking rappers over dissing him. Thank you for the upload this blew my mind about Hammer

This video was awesome my guy, very well put together. I'm from the bay area and remember seeing mc hammer perform when I was young. That dude really can dance his @$$ off lol. Thanks for making this video and not missing a beat!!💯👊🏾

Nice tribute. Hammer took rap to another level in the 80s.

MC Hammer is one of the most iconic entertainers of all time. Mad respect to him for representing the Bay Area on the level that he did. I will always be a super fan.

Hammer was a G. Never judge a book by its Cover.

EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY !!! LOVE THIS ONE.!!! ONE OF THE BEST DOCS ON ALL OF RU-vid !!! Hammer is a wild hard working self made playa. Such a cool and fascinating man 🙌🏻🤘🏻✌🏻

Damn, I had no idea Hammer was street. People had no idea who they were messing with! this was amazing!

"Please, Hammer, Don't Hurt Em" wasn't just an album title. But we already knew that

Hammer was a real G, he didn’t have to put on a tough guy front. He handled business accordingly.. I remember when he first dropped Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em, man, he blew up so quick.. everybody was bumpn it..

I bought his 1st album the year it came out . Classic , true hip hop. He was the 1st rapper i know to diss the east coast on that album. I was always a big fan . Saw him in concert and preaching at a church event. Much love and respect for him..

The white guy that played “White Mike” on the Wayans Bros, was also from Town Bizness. He too had hands. R.I.P to Mitch

If Hammer was round nowadays he woulda got hit witta RICO wit how they be doing music industry gangsters nowadays 😂

He was an excellent dancer as well. Style innovator, entertainer, superstar Legend. You had to be there. 2legit 2quit!

MC Hammer really from Oakland! 😂

*adding back MC Hammer to his workout playlists again*

I was with Burrell in the Navy, nightshift. He danced almost every night. 'Almost', because if he wasn't dancing, we were talking about music, the Navy, believe it or not, how we were raised etc. Anyhow, I want to share here regarding 'rapping'. I was with him in early 1984, sometimes he would dance and not say anything, just practicing his moves. Then sometimes, he would 'talk' as he was dancing, I would try to hone in on the words he was saying, I thought it was strange. I'd share with him that I didn't find what he was doing that entertaining, but that was just because I didn't get it back then. I'd never seen anything like that, I'd ask Burrell if he was trying to sing or what. He'd tell me that he didn't sing, that he was just telling a story. So you can try to imagine, watching this guy, in Navy uniform to boot, It was like I got a personal performance every night, lol. However, there were times that I'd be up all day, so by the time I made it to the hangar, I was exhausted and wanted to try to nap or sleep if I could. Burrell was just 110%, off the charts with his energy. Sometimes he would let me be, then other times he'd want me to check out what he was trying to put together. Got to remember, this is 1984, and so I never thought a guy doing these dance moves, while talking, was going to go anywhere, lol. And, I told him so many times, lol. Boy did we have conversations about that. One night I was so tired, I asked Burrell that if he wanted me to try and stay up with him, I needed some coffee. So sure enough he goes down the hallway, few minutes or so later, I can hear him doing his 'talking', and trying to make some kind of beat sound with his mouth, at the same time. Suddenly he appears, and he's doing some kind of, I don't know, like robotic kind of thing... is the best as I could describe it. And when he gets to me, I'm sitting at a desk, it's like he stopped suddenly, to startle me as if he was going to spill the coffee. But of course, he didn't. I can hear his laughter, with that handsome smile of his, and his slightly raspy voice. Anyhow, going on too much here... Go VP47, Go Navy, Go MC Hammer...one of our Veterans. Burrell, thanks for your service to our country, and to the worldwide audience you performed for!

Dude sounds like Batman 😂

Shout out to MC Hammer for representing Oakland & the bay the right way. Not backing down from other peoples accolades and who they are. He had New York rappers spooked

Was with SKB in the Navy, the two of us, night shift for a few months, incredible stories. I didn't find out he became MC Hammer until 1995. Blew my mind. Much love and respect for MC! He even served this country, go VP47 and VP19! Now let me watch this video, lol.

MCHammer & his brother was with the business 4 real

Have you ever been to a Hammer show? He can dance on fast forward for 2 hours straight. Nobody wants smoke with that kind of stamina.

Dam!! This was revealing. I NEVER knew Hammer was about that life like that. I also never knew that there were so many rappers sneak dissing him. I didn't know the fool that they tied up in Cube's 'Stay True to the Game' video was supposed to be Hammer. Just goes to show you that you should never underestimate any man or look for trouble. Sometimes the guy that you THINK is a soft mark can turn around and G-check you.

OutKast tried to warn cats about testing Hammer's gangster. They knew he was about that action back then.

MC Hammer was the only rapper that my dad allowed my brother to listen to Little did he know😮

Please Hammer dont hurt em! 💜✊🏿

You can’t judge a book by the cover. I loved MC Hammer as a kid, now it’s cool to say it out loud 👌🏻

My guy Hammer is on that East Oaktown time! Salute my G!

My Bro MC Hammer Actually Released One Album On Deathrow Management. It Was Called Funky Headhunter. Pumps And A Bump Was The First Single From That Album...One Love Fam.

Gangsters move in silence.

I loved Hammer and definitely salute him for being positive, not rapping about the streetlife rising above the madness

They really used DJ Pooh to imitate Hammer 🤣😭

I remember high street bank boys in the 80s. You did your homework on that. As someone who grew up in Oak in the 80s and 90s I can tell you... This video is accurate..Side note, that's DJ POOH dancing like Hammer in the cube vid lol

Man I've been hearing real OG say MC Hammer was bout that life for years now. older Rappers and street dudes vouch for him.

Hammer aint no joke. loved that man as a kid! was my 1st concert i went to and lost my mind it was that good!! i aint playin, never knew he was that gangster! wow thanks for the upload!

I was at the local Jamba juice getting a smoothie 😂 and hammer comes out the bathroom in his fur coat telling the manager that the toilets flooded 🚽🪠 . We would always run into hammer and he was always cool. We went outside and drank our fruit smoothies listening to a couple of his new songs he was playing in his hummer. His smoothie was dripping all over his fur coat. 😅 Hammer was always cool though.

That incident with Ice Cube and Hammer probably made Ice go straight to acting lmao

I respect the fact you putting this out there. Hammer was REALLY gangster. The industry owes Hammer. On camera they bumping gums, off camera they getting checked and ran down on. That’s what it is when you are loyal to your peoples and spread the wealth. If you from the hood and you run it all the way up. Go put the whole hood on don’t pick and choose even those you beefed with. Be the king by taking the thrown with the peoples blessing. Ain’t no love ain’t no hate like that which you get from your neighborhood.

4.99 for his Holy ghost album! Crazy.

Hammer with the Cazelles and Troop suit on the 1st tape was slapping!

East oakland in the building we dont play about hammer STILL

holy crap! that was such a great informational video.I need to get a hammer t-shirt with him on the cover saying yes sir!

All dudes that came up in the 80s like me know Hammer was no joke. He’s been G checking these dudes for over 30 years. It’s well known.

MC Hammer's a real one! Took care of his people and NEVER acted a fool rolling with all them goons! I gotta co-sign the "BIG HOMIE, MC HAMMER WITH DEM HAMMERS!" #CERTIFIED You the G.O.A.T., fool! Big ups and I always look for your content! Long time fan! Keep it going and thank you!

I remember meeting Hammer at the Oakland post office in downtown. My friends and I were hanging around the basketball courts in the nearby elementary school. We got word that Hammer was at the post office and we all ran there as quickly as we could. I remember that he was wearing a brown suit and his entourage of about 5 men were also wearing suits. Hammer was kind of enough to give us all autographs.

There's a video/interview of Redman admitting the Hammer pressed him. Hammer, a Oakland dude pressing Cube IN LA is crazy to me lol

Dude is a real one.. moved in silence and took care of his own

😂 M.C. Hammer would kill Chris Brown in a dance off I said what I said😂

I’ve heard this about Hammer before even Tupac respected him

Liked him when i was a kid for his music,respsct him more now for hiw solid he is. Respect Sir

Been waiting for this one

Yo this was a good one 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽I did not know hammer was with the business

I never once heard about Hammer getting slapped or Suge's goons punking him. Now I see why.

Damn Heroic! Was it L.L. who said, "Who wants to see a gangsta rap MC hammer?" My respect for hammer just shot up. Great documentation.

Just watching his stage energy you'd have to be crazy to catch them hands from Hammer. Shdddd, Hammer would whoop yo ass and then dance for 3 hours straight in concert

Saw him in concert in Murfreesboro TN on the 2 Legit to Quit Tour. Love ya my man. One of the best to ever do it

I salute hiim for not glorifying it he certified for that 💯💯🐐

I feel fortunate to have found this channel, I subbed.