I had this incredibly long reply but the power went out and I certainly don't have the time to type it out again. But the overall point I wanted 2 share is that MC Hammer was never a "single" rapper. He definitely was about full albums. His 1st was loaded with singles. Let's Get It Started and Turm This Mutha Out were HUGE. They Put Me In The Mix and Ring 'Em are west coast Hip-Hop classics. Not 2 mention The Thrill Is Gone and Feel My Power. Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em had a TONS of hits...U Can't Touch This, Here Comes The Hammer, Pray, Have U Seen Her, Dancin' Machine, and Help The Children. Too Legit To Quit had 2 Legit 2 Quit, Addam's Groove, This Is The Way We Roll, Do Not Pass Me By, Good To Go, and Gaining Momentum. Even with The Funky Headhunter he had It's All Good, Pumps And A Bump, and Don't Stop. Each album had it's own vibe.
I have always believed in the album. A handful of songs created in a certain time frame...all different, but created together for one purpose. A team of producers, the thank u's, the credits, that photography and art...it's all part of the album. Look at today's commercial rappers. They don't even last for an album. That have one hit single that sometimes is followed by another single or 2 that might get a little attention only for piggy backing their 1st single. But after that, they are gone. Young Joc. Hurricain Chris. J-Kwon. Where are these guys? Gone.
Think about Big Willie Style. That album screams Fresh Prince for 1997-1998. To fans like us, the pictures from that era, the sound of the album, etc. That stuff is iconic in our minds because FP works on making good albums...not hit singles. That's why Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em and Big Willie Style sold over 10 million albums and every Hip-Hop fan knows about them...even if they don't like Fresh Prince or MC Hammer.