American rapper and dancer born Stanley Kirk Burrell on March 30, 1962, in Oakland, California. Acquired his stage name during a stint as an Oakland Athletics batboy due to his resemblance to Hammerin' Hank Aaron. Distinguished by his high-energy stage shows, parachute pants, and crossover commercial success that briefly made him the best-selling rapper of the early 1990s.
Released 10 studio albums starting with Feel My Power (1986). Commercial peak: Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em (1990, diamond-certified, featuring "U Can't Touch This" and "Pray") — the first hip-hop album to be certified diamond. Filed for bankruptcy in 1996. Became an ordained minister in the late 1990s and continues to perform.
