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Please Hammer don't hurt me
May 25, 2006
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Tiffani Helberg |
When was the last time MC Hammer had a song on the radio? Not since I was a teenager in the 80’s running around in my own set of MC Hammer parachute pants.
I was a loyal fan at the time. I even remember going to one of his concerts. It might have been my first concert.
So when I heard that Hammer had agreed to do an interview with 6NEWS I fought off fellow reporter John Romero for the chance to talk to Hammer. I was excited to finally come face to face with the man himself.
My photographer and I thought carefully about how and where to shoot the interview. It was set up for the side of the Coca Cola stage at Speed Street, but the area was too noisy and busy. We went half a block down and set up under a shaded awning in an area blocked off from the public. We hoped to ensure Hammer’s comfort on this blazing hot day and prevent fans from mobbing him during our interview. When he arrived at our spot he looked upset.
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“Where are the lights,” he asked. “Why are you doing it here? If you worked for me I’d have you set up in the crowd by the stage!”
I tried to explain to him that if we did that, we wouldn’t be able to understand anything he said in the interview because the band was playing at the time. He reluctantly sat down.
I started out with an easy question.. asking about the old parachute pants. Next I asked if he is really a reverend. I wanted to know if the rumors I heard were true. Hammer said he’s been involved in the ministry for a long time and it’s influenced some of his music. Not really a direct answer to the question so I asked him again… “so are you a reverend?"
He told me I wasn’t listening and I explained that I was. After all, you can be involved in the ministry and not be a reverend.
We moved on and I asked another tough one. I wanted to know if there was any truth to the commercial making fun of his bankruptcy. Is Hammer broke or does he have money? This seemed to further upset him. His response… “well the commercial was shot last year and I think the answer to your question is that was like 1996 what is this, it's 2007? I guess it speaks for itself.” So I said, “you're still not answering the question.” And Hammer responded, “it’s a dumb question. You're asking me about 11 years ago. How old were you 11 years ago?"
I continued on with my interview (click here to watch the interview) with a sinking feeling in my heart. The Hammer I grew up watching and loving wasn’t the Hammer I thought he was. Even though he hasn’t had a hit in years, his ego is as strong as ever. And I am as disappointed as ever. Next time John Romero can take the celebrity interview. I’ve had enough.
Posted by WCNC.com staff at May 25, 2006 7:23 PM
Comments
Yes, I agree. I wasn't excited of even going to see MC Hammer like a lot of my friends were. But I went with them, and wow, MC Hammer sucked! He didn't even seem to be singing but had to have a bunch of dancers on stage to distract the fact that he couldn't sing. and had to have another guy on stage holding a microphone as well. but were they even using them? I'm sure so many people were expecting what MC Hammer used to be. But that's all he'll ever be.
Posted by: Laura at May 25, 2006 11:39 PM
MC Hammer should lose the ego. He isn't a big star. He probably is broke. If he is going to claim to be "a man in the ministry" then maybe he should act like one.
Posted by: Laura at May 26, 2006 12:50 PM
Sounds like one of your heroes fell off the pedestal...was your interest in Hammer more than just passing one? Maybe I'm cynical but I have found it pays to realize that folks are just folks and sometimes folks wreck the image we have created for them in our minds. Trashing them however just ends up sounding like sour grapes--even when I myself do it.
Posted by: Fornmer Freelancer at May 26, 2006 1:30 PM
Hammer will always be a great entertainer. Is he perfect? No. Are you? No. Is any one of us perfect? No way! It took a lot of courage for him to come out to participate in a NASCAR event. Don't worry, Hammer, most of your fans are die-hards to the death!
Posted by: Margaretta at May 26, 2006 2:59 PM
I also went to the MC Hammer show at Speed Street and was excited to do so. All I can say is that I normally wouldn't walk out on a show but last night I did. It was a slap in the face of everyone in the audience and was more sad than entertaining.
The Hammer is a Milli Vanilli wannabe but without the flash. His show, unless it changed after the 4 songs that I sat trough, was a joke.
Hammer had the potential of being the best act at Speed Street this year. He is an underdog, fun, a loveable loser and all the things 30 somethings like me can relate to. Unfortunately last night Hammer was the no better that a American Idol Blooper Reel, again without the flash.
If there is anyone out there that can honestly say they enjoyed watching the Hammer jump around on stage, lip sync, and make a fool of himself and anyone that clapped they need to get thier heads checked.
Hammer deserved the boos he got last night. I'm glad he has gone!
Posted by: Mike C at May 26, 2006 3:20 PM
You can say what you want. But Hammer had a big movement that had the entire world singing and dancing to his songs. No matter what anybody thinks about him today, he will always be a legend. His songs are still played around the world and people go crazy. I think that he could have answered questions a little better during the interview but he doesnt owe anybody anything.
Posted by: Carl at May 26, 2006 3:44 PM
i did not go see him but was very disappointed in how RUDE he was in the interview to Tiffani. I was like oh my gosh how unacceptable.
Posted by: pikester at May 26, 2006 11:47 PM
Hammer was terrible and a complete waste of my time. #1) I think he was lipsynching. #2) You could barely hear him and I don't think his mic was turned up enough, #3) We didn't come to hear the new music, we came to hear the old stuff, which he barely played! How many songs did he do?- Like 8 songs? The guy phoned it in, IMO.
Posted by: Chris at May 27, 2006 10:05 AM
tell Hammer the year is 2006.
Posted by: sherry at May 29, 2006 12:51 AM
After reading this article it seems to me that Hammer needs to realize no one came to see his show because he's a musical talent.....they came because he's a novelty act. Tell him to get over himself and realize his career is a joke. He should probably be a little more humble next time, especially considering a cook at Jack In The Box probably has more money than he does.
Please Hammer don't hurt our ears by ever singing again.
Posted by: Hammer's a has been... at May 29, 2006 8:46 AM
2 Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Posted by: Gaddy at May 29, 2006 1:03 PM
Hammer should get over himself. I took my 2 teenagers hoping they would hear some real music. I'm not sure what we saw or heard. And when he busted out of his pants and didn't have a spare pair, I was just too done with him!!
Posted by: Renee at May 30, 2006 1:11 PM
Tiffani, I think you done a great job! I was sad to see the way you were treated. I could sense the hurt. I understand that everyone has "those days" but come on hammer do like the old song says. "Let others see Jesus in you" Keep up the great work Tiffani and keep asking those tough questions!
Posted by: Steve at June 4, 2006 12:14 AM
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