^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. * Sales figures based on certification alone. US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales ĭecade-end charts Chart (1990–1999) In October 2005, Blender ranked the song at number 196 in their list of Greatest Songs Since You Were Born. During 2008, it ranked as number 26 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. In December 2007, VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s included it at number 16. In August 2005, the song was certified gold. In May 2001, VH1's 100 Greatest Videos included it at number 59. In October 2000, VH1's 100 Greatest Dance Songs included it at number 88. In 1999, MTV's 100 Greatest Videos Ever Made included the song at number 71. In 1991, Kids Incorporated covered the song in the season 7 episode "Pipe Dreams". It was also nominated for MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video, Best Editing, and Best Choreography. In September 1990, the music video for the song won a MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and a MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video. The track also performed successfully in other parts of the world, peaking at number 1 in Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and Sweden, and number 3 on the UK Singles Chart. The single was a major success, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart and number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also secured a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1991, a new category at the time, and the first rap song to be nominated for Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Hammer's hydraulic dance moves and outlandish fashions - harem pants and gold lamé, together at last! - were cartoonish". See also: MC Hammer discography § Accoladesīill Coleman from Billboard commented, "A Rick James classic paired with Hammer's distinctive rhyme styling has added up to a deserved smash." Whitney Pastorek from Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The good-natured boast, laid over the hook of Rick James' ' Superfreak', proved irresistible. Īs of May 2021, the video has over 620 million views on YouTube. As a result, the album went on to sell more than 18 million copies, gaining multi-platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.Ī music video directed by Rupert Wainwright was produced to promote the single, showing Hammer doing some of his signature dances including the " running man", "the bump" and the "Hammer dance" while wearing his iconic Hammer pants. The song was not initially released as a single. In late 1989, the song was first performed publicly on an episode of The Arsenio Hall Show. The suit was settled out of court, when Hammer agreed to credit James as a songwriter, effectively granting him millions of dollars in royalties. The sample of "Super Freak" that forms the basis of the song, led James (and other performers on the original record) to file a lawsuit for copyright infringement. Hammertime was later used as the title of a reality show starring Hammer on A&E during the summer of 2009. Additionally, the lyrics "you can't touch this" and "Stop! Hammer time!" became pop culture catchphrases. The lyrics describe Hammer as having "toured around the world, from London to the bay" and as being "magic on the mic", which he says coincides with James' "beat that you can't touch". The song samples the prominent opening riff of the Rick James song " Super Freak", which is repeated throughout the recording. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, and charted in several countries.
It was the first rap song to be nominated for the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1991, as well as the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video and MTV Video Music Award for Best Dance Video at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. The song is notable as the winner of the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and a Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. It has also received multiple awards and recognition. The song has been used and referenced in many television shows, films, commercials and other forms of media.
It has been considered his signature song.Īlong with Hammer, Rick James shares songwriting credits with Alonzo Miller because the song samples the prominent opening riff of " Super Freak". " U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced and performed by American rapper MC Hammer, It was released as the third single from his 1990 album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em.