The Funky Headhunter - Release and Reception

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."

"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, who also helmed the video of rap group DRS' only hit single "Gangsta Lean".

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" was the second single released on this album, which would become a pop culture phrase as a result. It was also the most successful song by this title (and first commercially released), peaking on the record charts as follows: US #46; US R&B #14; US Rap #3; UK #52.

Within this album, such as during the rap "Break 'Em Off Somethin' Proper", Hammer disses A Tribe Called Quest (Q-Tip), Dres of Black Sheep, Redman, MC Serch, Rodney O and Run–D.M.C. for previous attacks some of them made against him on wax. This also quite possibly led to a decrease in his popularity after this follow-up record responded to music critics.

"Help Lord (Won't You Come)" appeared in Kingdom Come (2001 film).

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.