Stanley Kirk Burrell, better known by his stage name MC Hammer, is an American rapper. He is known for hit songs such as "U Can't Touch This", "2 Legit 2 Quit" and "Pumps and a Bump", flashy dance movements, extravagant choreography and his eponymous Hammer pants. Remembered for a rapid rise to fame, Hammer has also been an entrepreneur and celebrity spokesperson.
"One Week" is a song by Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies released as the first single from their 1998 album, Stunt. It was written by Ed Robertson, who is featured on the lead vocal of the rapped verses. Steven Page sings lead on the song's chorus, while the two co-lead the prechoruses in harmony. The song is notable for its significant number of pop culture references, and remains the band's best-known song in the United States, where it topped the Billboard Hot 100. Coincidentally, when the song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it remained in the top spot for one week.
"It's No Secret" is a song by Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue taken from her debut studio album Kylie (1988). The song was written and produced by Stock, Aitken and Waterman, who were also the producers of Minogue's first four studio albums. The song was intended to be released as the fifth single from Kylie, but due to the success and longevity of Kylie's massive selling duet with Jason Donovan, "Especially for You", over Christmas 1988 and the following new year, it was only released in a handful of countries. In the United States, "It's No Secret" was released as Kylie's third single where it reached the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100.
"Don't Dream It's Over" is a song by rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album. The song was composed and written by New Zealand frontman Neil Finn, and released in October 1986 as the fourth single from the album.
"Only When I Lose Myself" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode. It was made exclusively for their 1998 compilation The Singles 86>98 and released as a single on 7 September 1998. It is the first non-album studio single since "It's Called a Heart" in 1985 and is also one of the rare singles to have two limited editions.
"Truth Is" is the first single released by Fantasia from her debut album, Free Yourself. The song peaked at number twenty-one on the Billboard Hot 100 and had great success on the US R&B 100 chart, peaking at number two and setting a record for the longest stay at number one for a female artist on the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, with fourteen consecutive weeks. In 2006, Truth Is, along with "Free Yourself", won an ASCAP R&B/Hip-Hop award.
"Amazed" is a song by American country music group Lonestar, released on March 22, 1999, to country radio as the second single from their third studio album Lonely Grill (1999). The power ballad is the band's longest-lasting number one single and biggest hit, spending eight weeks at the top of the Billboard country chart. The song was written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo, and Chris Lindsey. A pop remix of the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts in 2000. The song has sold over 1,650,000 digital copies in the US as of February 2016.
"One by One" is a song by American singer Cher. Written by Anthony Griffiths of English rock band the Real People, it had initially been recorded by the band as a single in 1987, when they were signed to Polydor Records and called Jo Jo and the Real People. In 1989, Irish singer Johnny Logan recorded a cover for his album Mention My Name.
"Walk On By" is a song composed by Burt Bacharach, with lyrics by Hal David, for singer Dionne Warwick in 1963. The song peaked at number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the Cash Box Rhythm and Blues Chart In June 1964 and was nominated for a 1965 Grammy Award for the Best Rhythm and Blues Recording. Isaac Hayes recorded the song five years later, in 1969, and reached number 30 on the Hot 100 chart and number 13 in the R&B charts with his version. "Walk On By" has since charted numerous times in various countries, with wildly different arrangements.
"Diamonds" is a song by American trumpeter Herb Alpert from his 27th studio album, Keep Your Eye on Me (1987). Released as the second single from Keep Your Eye on Me on March 14, 1987, by A&M Records, the song features lead and background vocals by American singers Janet Jackson and Lisa Keith.
Too Legit to Quit is the fourth studio album by Hammer, released on October 29, 1991. Produced by Hammer and Felton Pilate, the album was released via Capitol Records and EMI Records.
"Roam" is a song by American new wave band the B-52's. It was released as the fourth single from their fifth studio album, Cosmic Thing (1989), following "(Shake That) Cosmic Thing", "Channel Z", and "Love Shack". The vocals are sung by Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, making it the only vocal track on the album without any vocal involvement from Fred Schneider.
Lalah Hathaway is the 1990 debut album of singer Lalah Hathaway. The album's first single was "Heaven Knows", produced by Derek Bramble. The follow-up single was "Baby Don't Cry", produced by Angela Winbush. The third single was "Somethin'". Virgin also released Night and Day, an EP available only in Japan. The disc featured two versions of the song "Night and Day" as well as two songs taken from the Lalah Hathaway album. Promotional music videos were shot for the singles "Heaven Knows", "Baby Don't Cry", and "Somethin'".
Back 2 Back Hits is a compilation album by rappers M.C. Hammer and Vanilla Ice. The album was released in 1997 for CEMA Special Markets and was re-released in 2006 for Capitol Records. The first five songs on the album are by M.C. Hammer; the last five are by Vanilla Ice. The 2006 release replaced "Pray" with "Help the Children."
"2 Legit 2 Quit" is a song by Hammer featuring Saja, released on September 5, 1991 as the first single from his fourth studio album, Too Legit to Quit (1991).
The discography of MC Hammer, or simply Hammer, includes hit records "U Can't Touch This", "Pray" and "2 Legit 2 Quit". Hammer is known for his flashy dance movements, choreography and Hammer pants. His superstar-status and entertaining showmanship made him a household name and hip hop icon. Hammer has sold more than 50 million records worldwide, breaking down numerous doors for rap music and demonstrating that hip-hop had the potential for blockbuster success. A multi-award winner, M.C. Hammer is considered a "forefather/pioneer" and innovator of pop rap, and is the first hip hop artist to achieve diamond status for an album.
"Rakata" is the debut single by Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel, released on January 27, 2005, by Machete Music. It is from the Luny Tunes-produced compilation Mas Flow 2, and was later included on Wisin & Yandel's fifth studio album Pa'l Mundo. The song was produced by Luny Tunes and Nely "El Arma Secreta". It is known to be one of their signature songs, as well as being their first major-charting single. Since the single's release, it has become one of the top-selling singles of 2005 and 2006 during the mainstream success years of reggaeton music. It was nominated for Best Latin/Reggaetón Track at the 22nd Annual International Dance Music Awards in 2007, which was ultimately won by Shakira and Wyclef Jean for their number one single "Hips Don't Lie".
"This Is the Way We Roll" is a single released by Hammer from the album Too Legit to Quit.
"Groove Thang" is a song by American R&B group Zhané from their debut album, Pronounced Jah-Nay (1994). Released in January 1994, it was produced by and features a rap verse from Naughty by Nature. The song is based on a sample of "Haven't You Heard" as performed by Patrice Rushen. It peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100. A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Markus Blunder.
"Call Me" is a song by American singer Tweet from her debut studio album, Southern Hummingbird (2002). It was written by Tweet and Missy Elliott, and produced by Timbaland. The song was released on April 22, 2002, as the album's second single. "Call Me" reached number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, becoming Tweet's second consecutive top-10 entry on the latter chart.
