MC Hammer: Enduring appeal of 'U Can't Touch This' is 'real blessing'

by
Rapper MC Hammer said his goal when writing "U Can't Touch This" more than 30 years ago was "to make a fun, celebratory song that celebrated hope, good times, dancing and fun." File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI | License Photo
Rapper MC Hammer is celebrating the 30th anniversary of his song "U Can't Touch This" by starring in a Super Bowl ad for Cheetos that prominently features the song. Photo courtesy of Goodby Silverstein & Partners

Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Rapper MC Hammer is marking the 30th anniversary of his seminal hit, "U Can't Touch This," and the musician and dancer said he attributes the track's longevity to the mere fact that "it's easy for people to connect with."

Hammer, 56, whose real name is Stanley Burrell, is marking the anniversary by starring in a Super Bowl commercial for Cheetos that prominently features the music. He told UPI in a recent interview he didn't even consider when he released the tune in 1990 that it would become ingrained in pop culture.

"I didn't have any idea," he said. "My goal was to make a fun, celebratory song that celebrated hope, good times, dancing and fun. The fact that it has resonated for 30 years is a real blessing."

Hammer said the song is "easy to connect with," in large part because of the bass line sampled from Rick James' "Super Freak."

"That bass line is a fantastic bass line. I recreated it to tell a story of great times, and I think the melodies that we added to it really connect with the human spirit," he said.

The Cheetos spot features the aforementioned bass line along with Hammer popping up to exclaim "You can't touch this" every time a man is asked to assist with a task, but can't due to Cheeto dust -- officially known as Cheetle by the company -- covering his fingers.

A teaser for the ad, released online this week, imagines a scenario in which having his fingers covered in Cheetle inspired Hammer to write the song at his piano.

"Cheetos approached me and said, 'Hey, listen. We know it's the 30th anniversary of 'U Can't Touch This' and we think it would be great to celebrate that anniversary together, and we have some ideas,'" Hammer recalled. "I said, 'This could be a lot of fun.'"