The Funky Headhunter

Production

In 1993, Hammer began recording this album. To adapt to the changing landscape of hip-hop, the album was a more aggressive sounding album. He co-produced this record with funky rapper and producer, Stefan Adamek. While Hammer's appearance changed to keep up with the gangsta rap audience, his lyrics still remained honest and somewhat clean with minor swearing. Yet, on this album as with previous records, Hammer would continue to call out other rappers who had dissed him.

It was produced by innovative musicians and writers such as Teddy Riley (who had previously produced records for Guy, Blackstreet and Michael Jackson), The Whole 9, The Hines Brothers (Andra Hines & Dunkin Hines) and G-Bomb. It also featured Death Row Records head Suge Knight, and Death Row recording artists Tha Dogg Pound.

Release and reception

Hammer debuted the album and video for "Pumps and a Bump" two months before its release on The Arsenio Hall Show and finally released it in March. Talk show host Arsenio Hall said to M.C. Hammer, "Women in the audience want to know, what's in your speedos in the 'Pumps and a Bump' video?" A clip from the video was then shown, to much approval from the audience. Hammer didn't give a direct answer, but instead laughed. Arsenio then said, "I guess that's why they call you 'Hammer.' It ain't got nothin' to do with Hank Aaron" (which refers to the fact that Hammer was nicknamed after Aaron).

"Pumps and a Bump" proved to be a controversial track on this album, somewhat affecting Hammer's image. However, the single peaked at #3 on the US Rap charts. It was banned from heavy rotation on MTV with censors claiming that the depiction of Hammer in Speedos (and with what appeared to be an erection) was too graphic. This led to an alternative video being filmed (with Hammer fully clothed) that was directed by Bay Area native Craig S. Brooks.

On December 26, 1994, Deion Sanders released Prime Time, a rap album on Bust It Records (Hammer's label) that featured the minor hit "Must Be The Money". "Prime Time Keeps on Tickin'" was also released as a single. Sanders, a friend of Hammer's, had previously appeared in his "Too Legit to Quit" music video, and his alter-ego "Prime Time" is also used in Hammer's "Pumps and a Bump" video.

"It's All Good", produced by The Whole 9, was the second single released on this album, and peaked on the record charts as follows: US #46; US R&B #14; US Rap #3; UK #52.

This album peaked at number two on the R&B charts and remained in the Top 30 midway through the year. The album eventually reached #12 on the Billboard 200 album chart The album managed to become certified platinum.

Track listing

Source:

1. "Intro"
2. "Oaktown"
3. "It's All Good" (Response Diss to Black Sheep & Redman)
4. "Somethin' for the O.G's" (Contains Diss Towards Run-D.M.C.)
5. "Don't Stop"
6. "Pumps and a Bump"
7. "One Mo' Time"
8. "Clap Yo' Hands"
9. "Break 'Em Off Somethin' Proper" [feat. 2 Bigg MC & Suge Knight] (Response Diss to Q-Tip, Rodney-O, MC Serch, Black Sheep, Run-D.M.C. & Redman)
10. "Don't Fight the Feelin'"
11. "Somethin' Bout the Goldie In Me"
12. "Sleepin' on a Master Plan" [featuring Tha Dogg Pound]
13. "It's All That"
14. "Funky Headhunter" (Response Diss to MC Serch, Q-Tip & Redman)
15. "Pumps and a Bump (Reprise: Bump Teddy Bump)"
16. "Help Lord (Won't You Come)"
17. "Do It Like This" [bonus track]
18. "Heartbreaka (Is What They Call Me)" [Japanese Edition bonus track]

Samples

Break 'Em Off Somethin' Proper

Don't Fight the Feelin'

Don't Stop

It's All Good

Oaktown

Pumps and a Bump

Somethin' for the O.G.'s