Biography
Who is MC Hammer?
Early life and education
Stanley Kirk Burrell was born in Oakland, California, on March 30, 1962. His father worked as a professional poker player, gambling casino manager, and warehouse supervisor. He grew up in a small apartment in East Oakland with his mother, who worked as a secretary, and his eight siblings.
During his childhood, MC Hammer spent time at the Oakland Coliseum parking lot selling stray baseballs and dancing. Oakland Athletics team owner Charlie Finley noticed his energy and hired him as a clubhouse assistant and bat boy. He served with the team from 1973 to 1980 and earned nicknames such as Pipeline.
Music career and rise to fame
Before achieving mainstream success, MC Hammer formed a Christian rap group known as the Holy Ghost Boy or Boys with Jon Gibson. He borrowed twenty thousand dollars from former Oakland Athletics players Mike Davis and Dwayne Murphy to start an independent record label called Bust It Productions. He marketed himself relentlessly and sold records directly from the trunk of his car.
He released his debut album titled Feel My Power in 1986 on his independent label. After signing with Capitol Records, he released his second album titled Let's Get It Started in 1988, which became his first multi platinum hit. His next album titled Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em was released in 1990 and made him the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status.
Later career and business ventures
Throughout his career, MC Hammer has managed his own recording business as a record label chief executive officer. He has produced and created his own acts and music including groups such as Oaktown's 3.5.7, Special Generation, and Ho Frat Hoo. He also signed with Suge Knight's Death Row Records in 1995.
In the late 1990s, MC Hammer became an ordained preacher and hosted a Christian ministry program on the Trinity Broadcasting Network titled MC Hammer and Friends. He also served as a dance judge on Dance Fever in 2003, co created the dance website DanceJam.com, and executive produced his reality show titled Hammertime on the A and E Network in 2009.
Birthday and age
MC Hammer was born on March 30, 1962, which makes MC 64 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. MC shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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