U Can’t Touch This by MC Hammer

He is correct.

The confidence of Stanley Kirk Burrell

MC Hammer’s U Can’t Touch This, released on January 13, 1990, as part of his third studio album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, helped define early '90s hip-hop and became a cultural phenomenon.

The song samples Super Freak by Rick James, who sued MC Hammer—whose real name is Stanley Kirk Burrell—for copyright infringement due to its use without permission. James and Burrell settled out of court, with James becoming a co-composer on U Can’t Touch This.

The opening, repeated lyrics set the tone for the entire song with “You can’t touch this.” This is a bold declaration of untouchable confidence—Hammer is telling others that his skills, style, and success are unparalleled and out of reach.

Lyrically:

"My, my, my, my
(You can't touch this)
Music hits me so hard
Makes me say "Oh, my Lord
Thank you for blessing me
With a mind to rhyme and two hyped feet"

Hammer raps “My, my, my, my music hits me so hard / Makes me say, ‘Oh my Lord,’” expressing thankfulness for his gift of being able to rhyme and dance, a sentiment he echoed in interviews, saying he was "grateful for the opportunities music gave" him.

"It feels good when you know you're down
A super dope homeboy from the Oaktown"

Hammer’s lyrics also shout out to “Oaktown” (Oakland), where he grew up.

Before his music career took off, MC Hammer worked with the Oakland A's, which helped inspire his nickname "Hammer," given to him by Reggie Jackson due to his resemblance to baseball player Hank Aaron.

"Fresh new kicks and pants
You got it like that
Now you know you wanna dance
So, move outta your seat
And get a fly girl
And catch this beat
While it's rolling"

The Hammer Dance, first performed by MC Hammer with U Can’t Touch This, featured his iconic side-to-side steps and baggy pants. This energetic dance captivated audiences during his TV appearances and concerts and helped solidify his stature within the industry.

Lines like "Pump a little bit and let 'em know it's going on" encourage those to get hyped, while this lyric of "Cold on a mission, so fall on back" portrays him as calm and focused (“cold”) in pursuing his goals, suggesting he is serious about his success and won’t tolerate competition or distractions. The directive to “fall on back” implies that others should step aside and recognize his superiority.

However, there was some backlash within the rap community when the song came out. Notably, Tupac Shakur, in a rare interview, stated, "'Cause it's raging, and he's funky—funky dance steps. I'm not getting on Hammer, and I'm not gonna say he didn't sell 10 million records, but crack fiends bought 10 million rocks. That don't mean crack is good; it don't mean nothing. The reason I'm down with him is because he's a brother and he's making his mail. However, he's diluting rap, you know what I'm saying? He's playing that Sambo role, and the reason everybody's buying his record is because he's no threat, and everybody wants to see Sambo dance."

"What it's gonna take in the 90's to burn
The chart's legit
Either work hard or you might as well quit"

Despite what others said, MC Hammer pursued his dreams with confidence. In these lyrics, he stresses that hard work and dedication are essential for success in the competitive '90s music industry. His line "The chart's legit" reminds listeners that effort leads to recognition, evident in his Grammy and American Music Awards.

The lyric "Stop, Hammer time!" became a cultural catchphrase that defined early '90s hip-hop, promoting fun and celebration. It was widely used in pop culture, associated with dance and parties, and helped popularize the "Hammer Dance."

"I toured around the world
From London to The Bay
It's "Hammer! Go, Hammer! MC Hammer! Yo, Hammer!"
And the rest can go and play
'U Can't Touch This'"

MC Hammer must have recognized he had a hit with U Can’t Touch This when he penned the lyrics, as he forecasted his global success and the enthusiastic response from fans. The excitement in the lines "It's 'Hammer! Go, Hammer! MC Hammer! Yo, Hammer!'" reveals his awareness of the song's impact and popularity, distinguishing him from others in the industry.

Now over 30 years later, Hammer commented on the timelessness of U Can’t Touch This, noting, "I think what makes the song timeless is the melody, the energy, fun lyrics, the tones, and the bass line—obviously, the great Rick James, rest in peace. That combination is tied to fun memories, good memories, and good times, and I think that makes it very memorable."