Pumps and a Bump

Last updated
"Pumps and a Bump"
Hammer - Pumps And A Bump.jpg
Single cover
Single by Hammer
from the album The Funky Headhunter
ReleasedFebruary 28, 1994
Recorded1993
Genre West Coast hip hop [1]
Length5:05
Label Giant
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Hammer, Gerald Baillergeau [2]
Hammer singles chronology
"This Is the Way We Roll"
(1992)
"Pumps and a Bump"
(1994)
"It's All Good"
(1994)

"Pumps and a Bump" is a song by American rapper MC Hammer from his fifth album, The Funky Headhunter (1994). [3] The single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart and No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the final Top 40 hit of Hammer's career.

Contents

Release and reception

"Pumps and a Bump" was the first single off The Funky Headhunter, which represented a departure from Hammer's previous pop image. [4] The track contains a sample of George Clinton's 1982 single "Atomic Dog". [2]

The original music video featured Hammer wearing nothing but a Speedo and dancing suggestively alongside numerous swimsuit-clad women, which resulted in it being banned from MTV as it was considered too graphic. [5] An alternative video was filmed with Hammer fully clothed [6] and featuring an appearance by Deion Sanders, while promoted as representing a remix of the song. [7]

The video was nominated for Best Choreography at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.

Impact

In 2010, American Idol contestant Larry Platt performed his own song titled "Pants on the Ground", which Entertainment Weekly claimed sounded similar to "Pumps and a Bump". [8] Spin magazine described the banned music video as "'Elvis on the Ed Sullivan Show' cranked to 11". [4]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [12] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Hammer</span> American rapper (born 1962)

Stanley Kirk Burrell, better known by his stage name MC Hammer, is an American rapper and dancer. 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.

G-funk, short for gangsta funk, is a sub-genre of gangsta rap that emerged from the West Coast scene in the early 1990s. The genre was heavily influenced by the synthesizer-heavy 1970s funk sound of Parliament-Funkadelic, often incorporated through samples or re-recordings. It was represented by commercially successful albums such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic (1992) and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle (1993).

<i>The Funky Headhunter</i> 1994 studio album by Hammer

The Funky Headhunter is the fifth studio album by American rapper Hammer, released on March 1, 1994, via Giant Records and Reprise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U Can't Touch This</span> 1990 song by MC Hammer

"U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced, and performed by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released as the third single from his third album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (1990), and has been considered his signature song. Along with Hammer, Rick James shares songwriting credits with Alonzo Miller, as the song samples the prominent opening riff of James' 1981 single "Super Freak". The song has been used and referred to in many television shows, films, commercials, and other forms of media. It has also received multiple awards and recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regulate (song)</span> 1994 single by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg

"Regulate" is a song performed by American rapper Warren G featuring American singer Nate Dogg. It was released in the spring of 1994 as the first single on the soundtrack to the film Above the Rim and later Warren G's debut album, Regulate... G Funk Era (1994). It became an MTV staple and the song reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. "Regulate" was number 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and number 108 on Pitchfork Media's "Top 200 Tracks of the 90s".

<i>Lets Get It Started</i> (album) 1988 studio album by M.C. Hammer

Let's Get It Started is the second studio album, and first major-label debut, by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released via Capitol Records and EMI Records on September 28, 1988. The album was produced by Hammer and Felton Pilate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What a Man (song)</span> 1968 single by Linda Lyndell

"What a Man" is a song written by Dave Crawford, and originally recorded for Stax Records' Volt imprint by Linda Lyndell, whose recording reached number 50 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1968. The song was sampled and reinterpreted as "Whatta Man" in 1993 by the trio Salt-N-Pepa with En Vogue, which became a commercial success; reaching the top ten in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In 2011, German singer Lena Meyer-Landrut covered the song while retaining the original title and lyrics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hood Boy</span> 2006 single by Fantasia featuring Big Boi

"Hood Boy" is a song by American singer Fantasia featuring American rapper Big Boi, from her second and eponymous studio album (2006). It was released as the album's lead single by J Records on November 14, 2006. "Hood Boy" was written by Johnta Austin, Anthony McIntyre and Antwan Patton, and produced by Austin and the Canadian production team Tone Mason. It samples the introduction of the Supremes' 1967 single, "The Happening". An uptempo R&B and hip hop song, "Hood Boy" explores Fantasia's appreciation for thugs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Hammer discography</span> Discography of American rapper M.C. Hammer

The discography of MC Hammer, or simply Hammer, an American rapper, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Right Round</span> 2009 single by Flo Rida featuring Kesha

"Right Round" is a single performed by American rapper Flo Rida featuring guest vocals from American singer Kesha. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, R.O.O.T.S. (2009). It was released to radio on January 27, 2009 and was digitally released on February 10 by Poe Boy Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The song heavily interpolates the chorus of the Dead or Alive song "You Spin Me Round " in its hook. According to one of the song's writers, the chorus refers to a stripper. Kesha contributed guest vocals to the song, but was uncredited in the United States and Canada during its run atop the charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slam (Onyx song)</span> 1993 single by Onyx

"Slam" is a song by American hip hop group Onyx. It was released on May 11, 1993 by JMJ Records and Rush Associated Labels as the second single from Onyx's debut album, Bacdafucup. The song introduced slamdancing into hip-hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OMG (Usher song)</span> 2010 single by Usher

"OMG" is a song by American singer Usher featuring American rapper will.i.am, who also wrote and produced the song. It uses the auto-tune effect in several lines, as well as Jock Jams-esque sports arena chanting. It was released on March 22, 2010, as the first worldwide single off his sixth studio album, Raymond v. Raymond, and the fourth single overall, following the three US singles "Papers", "Hey Daddy ", and "Lil Freak". The song was met with a mixed reception from critics, who criticized the use of auto-tune, but commended the song's dance and club vibe. The song marks the second time that Usher has collaborated with will.i.am, following the single "What's Your Name", from his previous album Here I Stand (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rockstar 101</span> 2010 single by Rihanna featuring Slash

"Rockstar 101" is a song by Barbadian singer Rihanna from her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009). The song features the British-American guitarist Slash of the rock group Guns N' Roses. It was released on May 18, 2010, as the fifth single from the album. Rihanna wrote the song in collaboration with the producers The-Dream and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart; vocal production was carried out by Makeba Riddick. The album version is a grunge-crunk and hip hop song, while the remix EP's consist of dance, dubstep and electronic music adaptations, some of which were remixed by Dave Audé and Mark Picchiotti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleazy (song)</span> 2010 promotional single by Kesha

"Sleazy" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Kesha, taken from her first extended play (EP), Cannibal (2010). The song was written by Kesha alongside Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald, Benjamin Levin, Shondrae "Bangladesh" Crawford, and Klas Åhlund, with production done by Bangladesh, Dr. Luke and Levin. While working on the album she enlisted the help of producer Bangladesh so that she could give her music a more distinct edge. Kesha uses a "sing-rap" vocal style throughout the song and uses layered vocals that are enhanced in some parts with the use of auto-tune. Lyrically the song speaks of wealthy men hitting on Kesha, trying to buy her attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Bullshit</span> 2011 single by Chris Brown

"No Bullshit", also stylized as "No BS" is a song by American recording artist Chris Brown, released as a single from his collaborative mixtape with rapper Tyga, Fan of a Fan (2010). The song was originally recorded to be included on Brown's previous mixtape In My Zone (2010), but was later included on his fourth studio album F.A.M.E. (2011). Musically it has been described as an "R&B slow-jam", while lyrically the song explores sexual themes, with Brown encouraging a woman to come back to his apartment in the hope that she will "do it all night". "No BS" was written by Brown, Kevin McCall and produced by Tha Bizness. The song received comparisons to works by Jodeci and R. Kelly, for its similar musical direction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance Again</span> 2012 single by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

"Dance Again" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her first greatest hits album, Dance Again... the Hits (2012). It features guest vocals from American rapper Pitbull. The song was written by Enrique Iglesias, Bilal "The Chef" Hajji, AJ Junior, Pitbull and RedOne, who also produced the song. At the time of the song's production, Lopez was unsure whether or not the song would be the lead single from a greatest hits album, or a new studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">23 (Mike Will Made It song)</span> 2013 single by Mike Will Made It featuring Miley Cyrus, Wiz Khalifa, and Juicy J

"23" is a song by American record producer Mike Will Made It featuring American singer Miley Cyrus and American rappers Wiz Khalifa & Juicy J; released on September 10, 2013, by Interscope Records. The song was written by Mike Will Made It alongside the rappers, Pierre Ramon Slaughter, and Rock City. It is set to a midtempo beat and lyrically references Air Jordan sneakers and recreational drug use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Luh Ya Papi</span> 2014 single by Jennifer Lopez featuring French Montana

"I Luh Ya Papi" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her eighth studio album, A.K.A. (2014). Featuring guest vocals from American rapper French Montana, the song was released on March 11, 2014 as the lead single from the album by Capitol Records. The song was written and produced by Noel "Detail" Fisher, with additional writing from Andre Proctor, Karim Kharbouch, and Lopez. Cory Rooney and Fisher provided vocal production for the song. Musically, "I Luh Ya Papi" is a hip hop song, backed with synths and metallic beats, that lyrically contains innuendoes and references to Lopez's body.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Like That</span> 2017 single by Fifth Harmony

"He Like That" is a song recorded by American group Fifth Harmony for their self-titled third studio album (2017). It was released as the album's second single on September 19, 2017, after being sent to US contemporary hit radio. The song was written and produced by Ammo, DallasK and Ester Dean, and has an interpolation from MC Hammer's 1994 single "Pumps and a Bump". Influenced by reggae, R&B and hip-hop, the song is about a woman's appreciation of a man's body. The music video premiered on August 25, 2017, as part of a Vevo live stream to celebrate the album's release. A remix featuring French Montana was released on October 20, 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here Comes the Hammer</span> 1990 single by MC Hammer

"Here Comes the Hammer" is a song written and performed by American rapper MC Hammer, first released on his third album, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em (1990). It was also released as a single, which reached number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also reached the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. It was also nominated for a Grammy Award. At the time of its release, the music video accompanying the release of the single was one of the most expensive ever.

References

  1. https://hiphopnewsjournal.com/mc-hammer-work-with-notable-producers/
  2. 1 2 ""Pumps and a Bump"". Discogs. 1994.
  3. "The Funky Headhunter - MC Hammer". AllMusic . Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  4. 1 2 Staff (August 15, 2013). "A DECADE IN RAP CENSORSHIP (1990-1999)". Spin . Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  5. Sanchez, Karissa (June 27, 2013). "25. Hammer's animal skin Speedo - The Worst Hip-Hop Fashion Fails of All Time". Complex . Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  6. Holmes, Dave (June 12, 2014). "Dave Holmes Hits the Summer Songs of 1994". Vulture . Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  7. Billboard (April 16, 1994), p. 48.
  8. Slezak, Michael (January 14, 2010). "'American Idol' recap: Devil Went Down to Georgia". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on January 31, 2010.
  9. "Hammer – Pumps & A Bump". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  10. "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). April 30, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  11. "The Year in Music: Hot 100 Single Sales". Billboard. December 24, 1994. p. YE-30. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  12. "American single certifications – Hammer – Bumps and a Bump". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 26, 2022.