“U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer (born Stanley Kirk Burrell) is one of the most iconic tracks of the early 1990s, released in 1990 as the lead single from his third album, Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ’Em. It’s instantly recognizable for its use of the sample from Rick James’ 1981 hit “Super Freak”, which forms the foundation of the beat.
The song is a confident, swaggering celebration of Hammer’s success and style. With its catchy hooks, signature phrase (“You can’t touch this!”), and Hammer’s rapid-fire delivery, it became a pop culture sensation almost overnight. The lyrics center around bragging rights, dance skills, and invincibility, all delivered with playful bravado.
Beyond the audio, its music video—featuring Hammer’s energetic dance moves and flashy “Hammer pants”—was crucial to its impact. It became a staple on MTV, helping propel Hammer to global fame.
“U Can’t Touch This” was a massive commercial success, reaching No. 1 in multiple countries and peaking at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It won two Grammy Awards in 1991: Best R&B Song and Best Rap Solo Performance.
Today, it’s remembered as both a defining anthem of ’90s pop-rap and a symbol of Hammer’s larger-than-life persona. While it eventually became overplayed to the point of parody, there’s no denying its lasting place in music and pop culture history. It’s a song that, true to its name, still can’t quite be touched.