MC Hammer’s House Party Hits The Island

Last updated on February 18th, 2022 at 09:28 pm

MC Hammer’s House Party hit Treasure Island Saturday night on his first official tour since 1991! Yes, you read that correctly! It’s been almost 30 years since Hammer hit the tour circuit bringing, and he brought three old school legends to Minnesota with him.

Tone Loc of “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina” fame got the show started with his legendary raspy voice. He got the crowd going with his short 20-minute set. The last song of the night for Loc was, of course, “Wild Thing.” The crowd sang along while he asked, “What’s the name of the song?”

Just to make everyone feel old, the album in which his two hit songs came from just turned 30 years old earlier this year.

Kid ‘N Play was the next duo to get their 20-minute set (All acts got 20-minute sets except MC Hammer.) The New York duo was easily my favorite act of the night! The stage presence these two have is amazing.

Kid ‘N Play started the show out with a shoutout to their sponsors. They first showed their appreciation for Icy Hot and Ben Gay, joking that the endorsements help with those old bones, it’s not so easy to move as back in the day. They then gave a shout out to Hair Care For Men, because, “We got to keep the hair looking good! And guys the drapes have to match the curtains!” The last chuckle came when they announced, “WE ARE NOT Sponsored by Viagra!”

Kid ‘N Play finished their night with “Kid vs Play (the battle)” In which the audience was asked who was the best. As usual, Kid took the honors for the night with DJ Wiz going with the sappy response, “The audience was the winner tonight!” which then led into the top hit “Rollin’ With Kid ‘N Play.”

Rob Base was the last of the opening acts to come on. One thing Rob Base does extremely well is getting the crowd involved! Everyone’s hands were in the air and waving side to side for most of Base’s set. Especially on his two main songs “It Takes Two” and “Joy N’ Pain.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same! MC Hammer is a good case in point. Twenty-eight years later many things are still the same for Hammer, including his great choreography, his positivity, and the oversized entourage and performance crew for his show.

The night started with a wave of dancers flooding the stage for the first few minutes as MC Hammer made his way onto the stage during the intro.

Hammer broke into “Pumps And A Bump” from the album The Funky Headhunter before he got all sentimental and brought out an armful of roses, giving and throwing them to all the ladies in the crowd during his ballad, “Have You Seen Her.”

Hammer didn’t dance as much as he did before. He mainly let everyone else dance around him. When he danced though, it showed that his dancing skills haven’t diminished.

As the lights temporarily faded, Hammer disappeared for a short bit, only to reemerge in the middle of the crowd as he sang a couple of songs and had a little bit of a struggle getting back to the stage.

Hammer may have been the main act, but at times he seemed more content letting everyone else around him have the spotlight. On multiple occasions, two of his kids were featured as Hammer stayed in the background. 

Hammer brought out his hit song “Addam’s Groove” (from the Addam’s Family), and again let his dancers take the spotlight. Each member took their turn doing a solo dance as Hammer rapped in the background.

Even during the hit song “2 Legit 2 Quit,” Hammer had the stage full! Not just with dancers either. Hammer brought a full group of people on stage (although in the background) as Hammer and his dancers took centerstage, upfront.

Hammer shined on several occasions, especially on two of his hit songs, “U Can’t Touch This” and “Praym” which uses a sample of Prince‘s “When Doves Cry.” He talked about spending the summer at Paisley Park with Prince and summer in the Twin Cities.

Hammer is known as one of the nicest guys in the music business, sometimes maybe a little too much.

As much as I enjoyed the show, Hammer could’ve spent a little longer in the spotlight! Also, could he break out the parachute pants again? Come on! That was his trademark. Maybe next time.