.gif)
Pumps and a Bump (video)
Encyclopedia
"Pumps and a Bump" is a song by Hammer
, released as the first single from his album The Funky Headhunter
.
because it showed Hammer in swimming briefs
and with what appeared to be an erection
. As a result, the video did not receive much airplay on MTV
since it was considered too graphic. In response, Hammer filmed an alternative version of the video.
NFL cornerback
Deion Sanders
appeared in the re-shoot of the video.
The original video may have been one factor in unraveling Hammers's career. After having built a relatively wholesome image in the rap
genre prior to releasing The Funky Headhunter
, Hammer appeared to take on a gangsta
persona
to adjust to the changing landscape of hip hop
. Within the video, he presented an overly sexualized
image that did not coincide with his relatively clean-cut image from previous records
. For example, Hammer was known for not using profanity
or lyrics laced with sexual innuendo
s. Yet, he was trying to gain a new audience while still maintaining street cred at the same time.
In 2000, MC 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 Hammer. After the "Pumps and a Bump" video is shown, a female interviewer asks 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?" 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 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, Hammer laughs, and then jokingly asks "There was a rumor that it was headed in your direction?" He proceeds to offer a serious explanation, saying that his appearance in the video was too controversial because it seemed to endorse
the stereotype
that African American
males have large penis
es. This prompted the filming of an alternative version in which Hammer remains fully clothed throughout the video.
Additional chart positions: US R&B
#21 / US Rap
#3 / US Dance #34
, talk show host Arsenio Hall
said to 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. 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."
In 2010 American Idol
contestant General Larry Platt
sang a self-penned
tune called "Pants on the Ground
" that some in the media said sounded similar to "Pumps and a Bump".
MC Hammer
Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...
, released as the first single from his album The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter was the fifth official album by Hammer, released in 1994.In 1993, Hammer began recording this album. To adapt to the changing landscape of hip-hop, the album was a more aggressive sounding album. He co-produced this record with funky rapper and producer, Stefan Adamek...
.
Music video information
The video for "Pumps and a Bump" generated a great deal of controversyControversy
Controversy is a state of prolonged public dispute or debate, usually concerning a matter of opinion. The word was coined from the Latin controversia, as a composite of controversus – "turned in an opposite direction," from contra – "against" – and vertere – to turn, or versus , hence, "to turn...
because it showed Hammer in swimming briefs
Swim briefs
A swim brief, or racing brief, refers to any briefs style male swimsuit such as those worn in competitive swimming and diving. The popularity of the Australian Speedo brand racing brief has led to the use of its name to refer to any racing brief, regardless of the maker...
and with what appeared to be an erection
Erection
Penile erection is a physiological phenomenon where the penis becomes enlarged and firm. Penile erection is the result of a complex interaction of psychological, neural, vascular and endocrine factors, and is usually, though not exclusively, associated with sexual arousal...
. As a result, the video did not receive much airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
since it was considered too graphic. In response, Hammer filmed an alternative version of the video.
NFL cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
appeared in the re-shoot of the video.
The original video may have been one factor in unraveling Hammers's career. After having built a relatively wholesome image in the rap
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
genre prior to releasing The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter
The Funky Headhunter was the fifth official album by Hammer, released in 1994.In 1993, Hammer began recording this album. To adapt to the changing landscape of hip-hop, the album was a more aggressive sounding album. He co-produced this record with funky rapper and producer, Stefan Adamek...
, Hammer appeared to take on a gangsta
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
persona
Persona
A persona, in the word's everyday usage, is a social role or a character played by an actor. The word is derived from Latin, where it originally referred to a theatrical mask. The Latin word probably derived from the Etruscan word "phersu", with the same meaning, and that from the Greek πρόσωπον...
to adjust to the changing landscape of hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
. Within the video, he presented an overly sexualized
Sexualization
The definition of the term, Sexualization has been the subject of debate and dispute. It has been described as the act or process of sexualizing. It refers to the making of a person, group or thing to be seen as sexual in nature or a person to become aware of sexuality...
image that did not coincide with his relatively clean-cut image from previous records
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
. For example, Hammer was known for not using profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
or lyrics laced with sexual innuendo
Innuendo
An innuendo is a baseless invention of thoughts or ideas. It can also be a remark or question, typically disparaging , that works obliquely by allusion...
s. Yet, he was trying to gain a new audience while still maintaining street cred at the same time.
In 2000, MC 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
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
includes brief interviews with Hammer. After the "Pumps and a Bump" video is shown, a female interviewer asks 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?" 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 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, Hammer laughs, and then jokingly asks "There was a rumor that it was headed in your direction?" He proceeds to offer a serious explanation, saying that his appearance in the video was too controversial because it seemed to endorse
Testimonial
In promotion and of advertising, a testimonial or show consists of a written or spoken statement, sometimes from a person figure, sometimes from a private citizen, extolling the virtue of some product. The term "testimonial" most commonly applies to the sales-pitches attributed to ordinary...
the stereotype
Stereotype
A stereotype is a popular belief about specific social groups or types of individuals. The concepts of "stereotype" and "prejudice" are often confused with many other different meanings...
that African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
males have large penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
es. This prompted the filming of an alternative version in which Hammer remains fully clothed throughout the video.
Chart positions
| Charts | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
26 |
Additional chart positions: US R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
#21 / US Rap
Hot Rap Songs
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
#3 / US Dance #34
Pop culture impact
During a mid-1990s appearance on The Arsenio Hall ShowThe Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American variety/talk show that aired late weeknights in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian/actor Arsenio Hall.- Background :...
, talk show host Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall
Arsenio Hall is an American actor, comedian, and former talk show host. He is best known for his talk show The Arsenio Hall Show, which ran between 1989 and 1994, and his roles in the films Coming to America and Harlem Nights.Hall is also known for his appearance as Alan Thicke's sidekick on the...
said to 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. 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."
In 2010 American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
contestant General Larry Platt
Larry Platt
"General" Larry Platt is an American Civil and political rights activist and rapper who gained fame with his performance of "Pants on the Ground" on the ninth season of American Idol. His hit release song "Pants on the Ground" was released on iTunes and received over 150,000 hits...
sang a self-penned
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
tune called "Pants on the Ground
Pants on the Ground
"Pants on the Ground" is the first single by civil rights activist "General" Larry Platt. The song is meant to protest the practice of sagging. It was released on American King Music on February 4, 2010...
" that some in the media said sounded similar to "Pumps and a Bump".