Pumps and a Bump (video)

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M.C. Hammer (right) and a female dance partner (left) are depicted dancing near a pool. Some felt such camera close-ups were not appropriate.

"Pumps and a Bump" was the first video release from M.C. Hammer's album The Funky Headhunter. At the time of the release of the album, M.C. Hammer was known simply as "Hammer".

The video "Pumps and a Bump" generated a great deal of controversy because it depicted M.C. Hammer in speedos. Many felt that this was too graphic a depiction of the male form in a music video, and as a result the video did not receive much airplay on MTV and similar music video stations. In response, M.C. Hammer filmed an alternative version of the video.

Some argue that the "Pumps and a Bump" video was the main factor in unraveling M.C. Hammer's career. After having built a relatively wholesome image in the rap genre, many felt that with the release of The Funky Headhunter M.C. Hammer was attempting to appear gangsta, and in the video for "Pumps and a Bump" he was presenting an overly sexualized image that did not dovetail very well with his earlier, relatively clean-cut image. (M.C. Hammer was known for being one of the few popular rap artists who did not use profanity and whose lyrics were not laced with sexual innuendo). Worse came in 1995 when he released the new album Inside Out, which critics have said that he tried to gain a mass audience and street cred at the same time.

Eventually, on April 3, 1996 MC Hammer declared bankruptcy.

[edit] Popular culture discussion and references

During a mid-1990s appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, 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. M.C. Hammer didn't give a direct answer, but instead laughed. Arsenio Hall then said, "I guess that's why they call you 'Hammer.' It ain't got nothin' to do with Hank Aaron."

M.C. Hammer performing a backbend between two female dancers while wearing speedos. Some viewers and critics felt the rapper appeared to have an erection in this video.

In 2000, M.C. Hammer released the music video compilation "MC Hammer - It's All Good/ The Adventures of the Funky Headhunter", which included the two versions of the "Pumps and a Bump" video, as well as videos for other songs from the The Funky Headhunter album. This video compilation includes brief interviews with M.C. Hammer. After the "Pumps and a Bump" video is shown, the female interviewer asks M.C. Hammer, "A lot of women want to know, inquiring minds want to know, what's up with the speedos? Tell us the truth, was there a sock in there?" M.C. Hammer appears to become embarrassed, then laughs and says, "I always have reservations from the standpoint of the questions that get asked. You know, 'Is it real?' 'Is this that?' You all know better than that. That's all real Hammer man." The female interviewer proceeds with the questioning, "But why did you make another version? Was it because there was a rumor that you had an erection?" Again, M.C. Hammer laughs, and then jokingly feigns ignorance and pretends to reiterate the question: "There was a rumor that it was headed in your direction?" He then proceeds to offer a serious explanation, saying that his scantily clad appearance in the video was too controversial because it seemed to endorse the stereotype that African American males have large penises. This prompted the filming of an alternative version of the "Pumps and a Bump" video in which M.C. Hammer remained fully clothed throughout the entire music video.