Beyond the Parachute Pants: Mike Joseph’s Definitive MC Hammer Mix

I was a young teenage hooper playing one-on-one against my buddy George in his drive way. Even though we were the same age, physically, George was two years ahead of me. Just dipping his shoulder and going through my chest. He had his boom box out and was playing "It Takes Two" by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock. That's a great song to hoop to.

Then, the song changed and if my memory serves me right, it's the first time I heard "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer. I knew of Hammer a little from his previous album. But this was a little different, and a little too familiar at the same time. And then there was this moment that George seemed to be waiting for. As the song was going, George picked up the ball and stopped the game all so he could say, "Stop, Hammer time," right as Hammer did. He was so proud of himself.

George and I would hoop a lot over the years and he got the best of me pretty much all the way through high school. But then, he stopped growing. And I got bigger and stronger. And when we were adults, it was my turn for hammer time. He never beat me again.

It's amazing where music and memories can meet. Mike and I dedicate this MC Hammer playlist to George.