The Day Jay-Z Discovered How Dangerous MC Hammer Really Was | HO
Hammer didn’t just take offense; he went all in. First, he vented on Twitter, accusing Jay-Z of selling his soul—a rumor that’s been floating around for ages but hit differently coming from Hammer. But he didn’t stop there. He turned up the heat with a diss track and an accompanying video called “Better Run Run.”
Hip-Hop has-been MC Hammer is coming down hard on Jay-Z with a music video that disses the Brooklyn mega-star.
The video for “Better Run Run,” released Monday, accuses Jay-Z of being an impostor and stealing Hammer’s “swagger.”
The video by the “U Can’t Touch This” rapper also shows a man impersonating Jay-Z — in a white T-shirt and a Yankees cap — running from a Devil-like figure.
“I can see it in his eyes, the boy sold his soul. Devil said, ‘I’mma give you the world.’ I’d take it, plus give me a girl,” the rapper says in a sly reference to Jay-Z’s wife, Beyoncé Knowles.
What’s behind the beef between the ’80s icon and the superstar? Apparently, some remarks by Jay-Z in a new Kanye West song, “So Appalled.”
“And Hammer went broke so you know I’m more focused/I lost 30 mil so I spent another 30/’Cause unlike Hammer 30 million can’t hurt me,” Jay-Z rapped about Hammer’s money woes.
The story of MC Hammer and Jay-Z’s unexpected conflict in 2010 is a reminder of how quickly the world of hip-hop can change, and how an artist’s reputation—whether earned or misunderstood—can shift the power dynamics in the industry. While Jay-Z is often viewed as one of the most influential and untouchable figures in hip-hop, his clash with MC Hammer demonstrated that even the most respected figures can find themselves on the wrong side of a battle with someone they might have underestimated. The episode also revealed that MC Hammer was more than just the flashy, pop-friendly figure known for parachute pants and high-energy dance moves. Beneath his mainstream persona, Hammer had a street edge, a powerful reputation, and an unrelenting loyalty to his name that could not be ignored.
The Prelude: Jay-Z’s Diss Track
The drama between the two hip-hop giants began in 2010 when Jay-Z, in a verse on Kanye West’s song So Appalled, took a direct jab at MC Hammer. The line, “Hammer went broke, so you know I’m more focused / I lost 30 mil, so I spent another 30,” seemed to be an offhand reference to Hammer’s financial troubles in the ’90s, a period when his career hit a major downfall. Jay-Z’s casual reference to Hammer’s bankruptcy seemed like just another shot at the artist, who was known for his flashy lifestyle and over-the-top public persona.
However, the line struck a nerve. For Hammer, the comment was not just an insult but an attack on his reputation. In the world of hip-hop, respect is everything. Jay-Z, with his reputation as a mogul and industry kingpin, might have thought the line was just a throwaway jab, but it quickly became apparent that he underestimated MC Hammer’s resolve and how far the former rap superstar would go to defend his name.
Hammer’s Response: A Serious Retaliation
Hammer, who had long been known for his easygoing, mainstream-friendly image, responded fiercely. Instead of letting the insult slide, he took to Twitter and launched a series of posts calling Jay-Z out. He accused the rapper of selling out, a common accusation in hip-hop when an artist shifts from underground credibility to mainstream success. This wasn’t just an offhand rant, however; it was clear that Hammer wasn’t looking for a lighthearted back-and-forth—he wanted to settle the score.
But Twitter posts weren’t enough for Hammer. The veteran rapper decided to go all-in with a diss track and a dramatic music video called Better Run Run. The video featured a lookalike of Jay-Z being chased through a dark forest by a devilish figure, only for Hammer to appear in the final twist, baptizing the Jay-Z figure by a lake. This was not your typical diss track; it was a theatrical statement, an attack on Jay-Z’s character and his perceived lack of respect for Hammer’s legacy. Hammer, through the video, symbolically reclaimed the narrative that Jay-Z had tried to tarnish.
The diss wasn’t just a musical response; it was a personal declaration of Hammer’s power and a reminder to the hip-hop world that despite being seen as a has-been, he was still someone to be reckoned with.
Jay-Z’s Backpedal: Trying to Smooth Things Over
Jay-Z, realizing the magnitude of his words and the public’s reaction, soon after attempted to clarify his statements. In an interview, he explained that the line wasn’t intended as a direct shot at Hammer and that he had nothing but respect for the rapper. He even cited passages from his book Decoded to show that he admired Hammer’s contributions to hip-hop. However, the damage had been done. Even though Jay-Z was known for being a master of the mic and a seasoned veteran in the game, it was clear that Hammer had reminded him—and the industry—that respect in hip-hop isn’t just about skill, but about the way you treat those who helped build the foundation of the genre.
Jay-Z’s attempt to defuse the situation only highlighted that, for a brief moment, even he had been caught off guard by Hammer’s response. It wasn’t just about the music anymore; it was about something deeper. It was about a man defending his honor in a world that often forgets those who came before.
Hammer’s Street Credibility
What made this beef even more shocking to many was the fact that MC Hammer wasn’t immediately recognized as someone who could throw down in a battle of words, let alone in a confrontation. For most people, Hammer’s mainstream success in the late ’80s and early ’90s painted him as a pop star, someone who danced more than he rapped. His flashy style, infectious beats, and high-energy performances made him a favorite in pop culture, but it also led to criticism from purists who felt he didn’t belong in hip-hop. Hammer faced criticism for being too commercial, too mainstream, and too disconnected from the “real” hip-hop scene.
However, beneath the surface, Hammer had a deep-rooted street credibility that many didn’t fully appreciate. He came from the tough streets of East Oakland, where he grew up surrounded by poverty and violence. His street credibility wasn’t just something he acquired later in life; it was a part of his identity, something that shaped his mindset and his approach to both music and life. In the Bay Area, where he was a local legend, Hammer wasn’t just seen as an entertainer—he was seen as a force to be reckoned with. His success came not just from his talent but from his ability to navigate and survive in a world where survival often meant earning respect the hard way.
Rivalries and Respect
Throughout his career, Hammer was no stranger to conflict. During the early ’90s, when he was at the height of his fame, he faced criticism from other artists, including Redman and Too Short, who were critical of his commercial success and mainstream appeal. Too Short, in particular, felt that Hammer’s rise to fame was fueled more by image and media attention than by raw talent. However, even in these conflicts, Hammer didn’t back down. Redman, for instance, once recalled a tense encounter with Hammer during an episode of Yo MTV Raps, where Hammer confronted him over disparaging comments Redman had made about his family. Despite the tension, Hammer showed respect for Redman’s artistry, and the two later became friends.
These moments were reminders that Hammer was not just a pop star or a dancer. He was a man who commanded respect, and in the hip-hop world, that respect was something you had to earn—no matter your background or your image.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Hustle and Loyalty
Hammer’s confrontation with Jay-Z in 2010 was more than just a rap beef; it was a reminder that in hip-hop, as in life, respect is earned through more than just success or image. It’s about authenticity, loyalty, and standing your ground. While Jay-Z may have been quick to dismiss Hammer’s street credibility, Hammer showed him that even in the world of hip-hop’s elite, there are still those who demand respect for everything they’ve built.
MC Hammer’s legacy isn’t just about the dance moves and the hits—it’s about hustle, resilience, and the determination to stand tall in the face of adversity. In the end, Hammer proved that no matter how far he had come from his days of parachute pants and mainstream pop, his roots were still firmly planted in the streets of Oakland, and he wasn’t about to let anyone forget it. Jay-Z learned the hard way that MC Hammer was a man not to be underestimated.
