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Hammer to energize concert at the Trop

By Dalia Colon, Times Staff Writer
In print: Saturday, July 19, 2008

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ADVERTISEMENT [Times files] The singer says the Hammer moniker was bestowed on him by members of the Oakland A’s when he was working as a batboy because some players thought he resembled baseball legend Hank Aaron. The singer will be onstage tonight at the Trop.

If you've been jonesing for some early-'90s dance music, then dust off those parachute pants and head to the Trop.

As part of its summer concert series, Tropicana Field has declared Saturday '90s Night. After the Rays-Blue Jays game, none other than MC Hammer will get the party started with a glittery throwback performance.

"The material will be classic MC Hammer material, so expect a lot of what you would expect from MC Hammer. There'll be a ton of dancing, high energy, a lot of fun," said Stanley "MC Hammer" Burrell, 46, in a phone interview this week. "It's a big party on stage. A big performance."

Baseball and baggy pants may seem like a strange combination, but the pairing makes sense, given Hammer's history. While working as a batboy for his hometown Oakland A's, Hammer earned his nickname for his resemblance to Hammerin' Hank Aaron. An avid fan of the sport, Hammer said ballplayers and musicians have something in common.

"We feed off the energy of the crowd," he said. "That's why in most cases, most teams have the best records at home. They feed off the people. Entertainers certainly feed off the crowd."

As both the Rays and Hammer have experienced, the crowd can be a fickle animal.

You probably remember the Behind the Music: In the early '90s, Hammer ruled the charts with jams like U Can't Touch This, 2 Legit 2 Quit and It's All Good. The performer voiced the Hammerman cartoon and starred in commercials for Pepsi and Lay's potato chips. There was even a Hammer action figure in a shiny gold suit. The performer danced all the way to the bank, earning a reported $33-million in 1991 alone.

But it wasn't all good for long. Hammer's shift from Mr. Nice Guy to gangsta rapper was implausible to fans, who labeled him a sellout. His liabilities quickly outpaced his assets, and he could no longer afford the 11,000-square-foot mansion or the innumerable entourage he employed. In 1996, Hammer filed for bankruptcy.

"I don't live for popularity," he said of his fall from the spotlight.

Since then, Hammer has become an ordained minister, officiating the 2005 wedding of Surreal Life castmate Vince Neil. He founded DanceJam.com, which he calls "YouTube meets MySpace," and he stays in contact with fans through mchammer.blogspot.com. He says a TV show and album are in the works, and a Hammertime Las Vegas stage show kicks off around Halloween.

The performer, who has played stadiums all over the world, said he looks forward to his first trip to Tropicana Field.

"Just come out to enjoy yourself," he said. "It'll certainly be Hammertime."

Dalia Colon can be reached at dcolon@sptimes.com.