As MC Hammer rose to fame, rappers dissed him because of his appearance and music. What they didn’t know, was that Hammer was arguably one of the most dangerous artists in the industry.
Thread below. @_ValTown_
MC Hammer had strong ties in his hometown of Oakland, California. Hammer had family, and friends that were heavy in the streets, and he took care of them as his wealth grew.
MC Hammer mentioned LL’s name in his song “Let’s Get It Started” in 1987. LL responded in 1990, on his track “To da Break of Dawn.”
Hammer’s people pulled up on LL Cool J after one of his shows, and after an argument LL got punched. Later on LL and Hammer hashed out their issues and got back cool.
MC Hammer & LL Cool J pictured together.
3rd Bass dissed MC Hammer and mentioned his mother in their song “The Cactus.”
MC Hammer took the insult seriously, and as 3rd Bass traveled to Los Angeles, MC Hammer’s brother allegedly phoned Def Jam, and told them the group would die as soon as they got to Los Angeles.
A $50,000 bounty was put on 3rd Bass, and MC Serch was the special target. Eric B confirmed the hit to MC Serch.
The Rollin 60’s were hired for the job.
MC Serch & Pete Nice pictured below.
Russell Simmons asked Barefoot Pookie to protect 3rd Bass while they were in Los Angeles.
MC Serch was at the mall with his girl, and while signing autographs he was approached by some crips that were there. Pookie stopped them from harming Serch.
Pookie pictured to the far left.
MC Serch went on radio the following day and called MC Hammer a b*tch, moments later the Rollin 60’s called the station and said Serch was going to die.
MC Serch and the rest of 3rd Bass left the station, and were followed by the Rollin 60’s, who began pointing their weapons ready to shoot.
MC Serch had to do 25 years worth of therapy to get over the situation, and MC Hammer refuted Serch’s claims.
Ice Cube released the video to “True to The Game,” which featured symbolism of a rapper selling out and crossing over into pop culture. The video was perceived as a diss towards MC Hammer.
MC Hammer was chilling at a hotel one day, with the person on the phone informing Hammer that Cube was at a Roscoe’s in Hollywood.
MC Hammer caught Cube leaving the establishment, and questioned Cube about the video.
Hammer told Cube to never let that happen again, and Cube said “no sir that won’t happen again.”
Redman dissed MC Hammer on his debut album, and Hammer went looking for Redman.
Hammer caught up with Redman when Redman and EPMD came to Oakland. They saw each other and MC Hammer told him “Red, imma tell you something you young, but I don’t allow nobody to talk about my mama.”
Red responded and said “Yes sir.”
MC Hammer signed with Death Row in 1995, after Suge reached out to him the year before. Hammer left the label after Tupac’s death.
Hammer was one of the only people Suge never tested in the industry out of fear.
Will Smith caught an assault charge in the days following his Grammy win in 1989, after a confrontation with record promoter William Hendricks.
Hendricks planned on pursuing a lawsuit, until his son Sheldon got kidnapped by JBM. Hendricks didn't know that Will was close friends with deceased JBM lieutenant and leader Leroy "Bucky" Davis.
Thread Below @_ValTown_
Will would hang out in Philadelphia even as he rose to fame, and was often seen with another close friend Charlie Mack. Charlie was heavy in the streets in Philly during the 80's and became a Hip-Hop pioneer after being convinced by Jazzy Jeff to leave the streets.
Charlie's reputation began to build as he went from Bodyguard, to executive personal assistant to Will. He was instrumental in the discovery of Boyz Il Men, pushing Meek Mill further to the masses and etc.
William Hendricks and Will Smith had an argument which escalated quickly. Will had strong ties with JBM, as he was a West Philly kid who made it big.
Will then turned to Charlie, and Charlie gave Hendricks a beating. Hendricks' left eye orbit fractured, nearly going blind, and he needed six stitches.
Richard Pryor and Pam Grier pictured together in the 70’s. When Richard was developing his drug addiction she tried to help him overcome it.
Their relationship ended after Pam went to the doctor for a checkup and was informed that she had Cocaine residue built up around her cervix. The doctor speculated that Richard may have dipped himself in Cocaine before he and Pam handled their business.
Pam told the doctor she never saw Richard do that, and after the doctor questioned her about if her mouth ever went numb as they handled their business, she said yes. This concluded that Richard used so much Cocaine it traced in his fluids. This was a probable cause to her infertility.
Curtis Mayfield was paralyzed from the neck down in 1990 after a lighting scaffold hit his neck and broke it. He was just about to perform and the wind knocked it out. This happened in Brooklyn.
Rick James and Michael Jackson had a funny relationship, and were closer than most people knew.
Michael was disappointed that he didn’t win Record of the Year at the Grammys. Rick James told Michael he needed to switch up his sound and create a lane of his own so he could win next time.
Michael brought Rick to LA when he was in the beginning stages of creating Thriller, and Rick’s idea of sparking inspiration was to get high. Unique Mecca Audio, a dealer from Harlem at the time said he saw Michael freebasing in Studio 54 in the late 70’s, so Rick tried to persuade Michael to do the record high.
Michael told Rick that getting high would mess his voice up, and after Rick wouldn’t stop suggesting, he told Rick at the studio he was stepping out, then jumped on a plane.
Rick also wanted to marry into the Jackson family, he wanted LaToya. Joe Jackson said “Hell No.” Michael would take Rick’s advice and innovate his sound on Thriller. 8 Grammys later he thanked Rick.
Interesting facts about what happened to the King Family after MLK’s death in 1968.
Thread below. @_ValTown_
A young MLK pictured to the bottom right in the 1930’s.
MLK’s push for reparations led to his demise, which he was ready for.
It was told that MLK was k*lled at the Lorraine Motel on April 4, 1968 by James Earl Ray. Although James was charged with the crime, the King family took the FBI to court and won.
The family believed it was more than just an assassination and they proved it.
Will Smith caught an assault charge in the days following his Grammy win in 1989, after a confrontation with record promoter William Hendricks.
Hendricks planned on pursuing a lawsuit, until his son Sheldon got kidnapped by JBM. Hendricks didn’t know that Will was close friends with deceased JBM lieutenant and leader Leroy “Bucky” Davis.
Thread Below @_ValTown_
Will would hang out in Philadelphia even as he rose to fame, and was often seen with another close friend Charlie Mack. Charlie was heavy in the streets in Philly during the 80’s and became a Hip-Hop pioneer after being convinced by Jazzy Jeff to leave the streets.
Charlie’s reputation began to build as he went from Bodyguard, to executive personal assistant to Will. He was instrumental in the discovery of Boyz II Men, pushing Meek Mill further to the masses and etc.
Leroy “Bucky” Davis, & Aaron Jones.
Bucky was an extremely skilled boxer who many believed had the potential to be a star in the sport. JBM stands for Junior Black Mafia, which was one of the strongest organizations in Philly. Bucky would leave Boxing and become Aaron Jones’ protege.
Michael Jackson and Prince were at a James Brown concert in 1983. James called up Michael mid performance to sing. Michael suggested that Prince be brought up as well, knowing Prince was high.
Prince embarrassed himself, then tried to run Michael over in the parking lot.
THREAD BELOW @_ValTown_
Michael was the biggest star in the world by 1983, after the success of Thriller. The following year in 1984 he would win 8 Grammy awards.
James Brown, knowing how influential he was in Michael’s career, calls him up to give his love and recognition in front of a sold-out crowd.
After Michael’s small performance, he and James embrace, and Michael suggests to James to bring Prince on stage.
According to Quincy Jones, Michael knew Prince was there and told James
“Call Prince up, I dare him to follow me.”
Quick facts about 50’s early days growing up on the Southside below.
50 grew up in South Jamaica, Queens, at a time when the Southside was a hot spot for drugs in Queens and the city. Organizations such as Fat Cat’s crew, The Feurtado Brothers, Corley Brothers, & The Supreme Team ran those streets.
50 is known to the neighborhood and family as “Boo-Boo,” a nickname given to him by his mother Sabrina. Sabrina had 50 at 15 years old, and lived in an apartment on South Road around Baisley Pond Park.