Editing MC Hammer (section)

== Personal life ==
At the time of his first album, Hammer opened his own music management firm. As a result of the success of his third album, ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em]]'', Hammer had amassed approximately US$33 million.<ref name="thefreelibrary1"/> In 1997, Hammer sold his [[Fremont, California]] estate and mansion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/from-bank-to-broke-here-are-20-celebs-who-went-bankrupt-2012-5|title=From Bank To Broke: 20 Celebs Who TANKED Their Fortunes|first=Keertana|last=Sastry|website=Business Insider|access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref> for US$5.3 million, after filing for bankruptcy in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n16_v92/ai_19767382/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611070938/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n16_v92/ai_19767382 |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |title=M.C. Hammer's estate sells for $5 million in Fremont, California {{pipe}} Jet {{pipe}} Find Articles at BNET |website=Findarticles.com |date=September 8, 1997 |access-date=May 10, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429911/hammer-time-on-house-sale.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113065152/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1429911/hammer-time-on-house-sale.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 13, 2012 |title=Hammer Time On House Sale – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |website=MTV.com |date=September 3, 1997 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref> Hammer most recently resided in a large [[Ranch-style house|ranch-style adobe home]], situated on a two-acre corner lot in [[Tracy, California]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/life/article_bbd0ea6a-7c11-5512-9e9d-13d89f8a42a3.html |title=MC Hammer lets world in on his quiet home life |website=PressofAtlanticCity.com |date=June 13, 2009 |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref> with his wife Stephanie. They met at a church revival meeting and married December 21, 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.superiorpics.com/m_c__hammer/ |title=The M.C. Hammer Picture Pages |website=Superiorpics.com |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref> They have five children and also raised Hammer's nephew.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.aetv.com/hammertime/meet-family/index.jsp|publisher = A&E Network|title = Hammertime: Meet the Family|format=official website}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/02/ae-bails-out-mc.html|publisher = latimesblogs.latimes.com|title = A&E bails out MC Hammer, orders 'Hammertime' | date=February 18, 2009 | access-date=May 12, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hiphophoney.com/blog/hammers-reality-show/ |website=Hiphophoney.com |title=Hammers Reality Show |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118060850/http://hiphophoney.com/blog/hammers-reality-show/ |archive-date=January 18, 2010 }}</ref> It was reported in July 2012 that Hammer was encouraged to marry [[Whitney Houston]] by her father at the [[Super Bowl]] in 1991.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dailydish/2012/07/13/mc-hammer-urged-to-marry-whitney-houston/ |title=MC Hammer urged to marry Whitney Houston {{pipe}} Daily Dish {{pipe}} an SFGate.com blog |website=Blog.sfgate.com |date=July 13, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/mc-hammer-says-he-was-encouraged-to-marry-whitney_n_1680053.html |title=MC Hammer Says He Was Encouraged To Marry Whitney Houston |publisher=Huffington Post |date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref>

Hammer frequently posted about his life and activities on his blog "Look Look Look", as well as other [[Social networking service|social websites]] such as [[Facebook]], [[Myspace]] and [[Twitter]] (being one of the earliest celebrities to contribute and join).<ref>{{cite web|url= http://mchammer.blogspot.com/|title= MC Hammer Blog|website=Blogspot.com}}</ref> A self-described "super geek" who consulted for or invested in eight technology companies, Hammer claimed to spend 10–12 hours daily working on his technology projects, and tweeted 30–40 times a day as of 2012.<ref name="rollingstone.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/MC-Hammer-the-Super-Geek-Video |title=MC Hammer the Super-Geek – Video |website=Oprah.com |date=February 3, 2011 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref> He has been noted as a popularizer and defender of [[philosophy]] in his social media posts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/mc-hammer-is-philosophy-s-new-champion|title=MC Hammer is philosophy's new champion|date=February 25, 2021|first=Hal|last=Hobson|work=The Spectator (UK)}}</ref> Hammer was an [[Testimonial|endorser]] of the [[California Proposition 34 (2012)|SAFE California Act]], which, if passed in November 2012, would have replaced the [[death penalty]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mc-hammer/safe-california-act_b_1597582.html | work=Huffington Post | first=MC | last=Hammer | title=This November: It's SAFE California Time | date=June 14, 2012}}</ref> However, the proposition was defeated.

=== Bankruptcy, lawsuits, and media reaction ===
Contrary to public rumor, Hammer claimed he was really never "down-and-out" as reported by the media (eventually expressed on ''[[The Opie & Anthony Show]]'' and ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' in 2009). Originally having an estimated net worth of over $33 million according to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine, speculations about Hammer's status first emerged during delays between albums ''[[Too Legit to Quit]]'' and ''[[The Funky Headhunter]]'', with Hammer having spent much of his money on staff and personal luxuries.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson |first=Gordon T. |url=https://money.cnn.com/2003/05/30/pf/debt/broke_celebs/index.htm |title=Celebs who go broke – May. 31, 2003 |website=Money.cnn.com |date=May 31, 2003 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref> In addition to excessive spending while supporting friends and family,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.rhapsody.com/mc-hammer|title = MC Hammer|publisher = Rhapsody}}</ref> Hammer ultimately became over $13 million in debt<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-31-re-27542-story.html|title=Rapper Takes Hit on Mansion Sale|date=August 31, 1997|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=April 11, 2022}}</ref>—due to dwindling album sales, unpaid loans, a large payroll, and a lavish lifestyle. Therefore, Hammer eventually filed for [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Oakland, California,<ref>''In re Stanley Kirk Burrell'', case no. 96-42564, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (Oakland Div.).</ref> on April 1, 1996.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news24by7.us/2012/02/mc-hammer-33-million-1991.html |title=Mc Hammer $33 Million 1991 – News 24 by 7 |website=News24by7.us |date=February 11, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927072505/http://www.news24by7.us/2012/02/mc-hammer-33-million-1991.html |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> The case was converted to [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7]] on September 23, 1998. However, Hammer was denied a [[bankruptcy discharge]] on April 23, 2002.<ref>See generally Complaint, docket entry 1, November 21, 2011, ''United States v. Stanley K. Burrell'', case no. 2:11-cv-03079-GEB-EFB, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.</ref>

Hammer's [[Mansion#Size|mansion]] was sold for a fraction of its former price.<ref name="sfgate1997">{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/M-C-Hammer-Sells-Mansion-Moves-to-Tracy-Rap-2811447.php |title=M. C. Hammer Sells Mansion, Moves to Tracy / Rap star leaves Fremont hills for rental house – SFGate |website=Articles.sfgate.com |date=August 21, 1997 |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref><ref name="thefreelibrary1">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BANKRUPT+M.C.+HAMMER+PUTS+HOME+ON+THE+MARKET-a083867428 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022044514/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BANKRUPT+M.C.+HAMMER+PUTS+HOME+ON+THE+MARKET-a083867428 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |title=Bankrupt M.C. Hammer Puts Home On The Market. – Free Online Library |website=Thefreelibrary.com |date=May 13, 1997 |access-date=May 10, 2011 }}</ref> "My priorities were out of order," he told ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]''. He said: "My priorities should have always been God, family, community and then business. Instead they had been business, business and business."<ref name="findarticles2">{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_n6_v49/ai_14969852 |title=Hammer's hilltop mansion {{pipe}} Ebony {{pipe}} Find Articles at BNET |website=Findarticles.com |access-date=May 10, 2011 |year=1994}}</ref> Along with [[Felton Pilate]] and other group members, [[Rick James]] sued Hammer for infringement of copyright on "U Can't Touch This", but the suit was settled out of court when Hammer agreed to credit James as co-composer, effectively cutting James in on the millions of dollars the record was earning. By the late 1990s, Hammer seemed to stabilize himself and made himself ready to undertake new projects.<ref name="answers1"/>

In 1992, Hammer had admitted in depositions and court documents to getting the idea for the song "Here Comes the Hammer" from a [[Contemporary Christian music|Christian recording artist]] in [[Dallas]] named Kevin Christian. Christian had filed a $16 million lawsuit against Hammer for [[copyright infringement]] of his song entitled "Oh-Oh, You Got the Shing". This fact, compounded with witness testimony from both Hammer's and Christian's entourages, and other evidence (including photos), brought about a settlement with [[Capitol Records]] in 1994. The terms of the settlement remain sealed. Hammer settled with Christian the following year.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121104232712/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-13360829.html|url-status = dead|archive-date = November 4, 2012|title = Songwriter claims Hammer stole his song: sues him. (Muhammad Bilal Abdullah)|date = February 1, 1993|website = Jet}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dallasobserver.com/1998-02-26/news/hammered/|publisher = Dallas Observer|date = February 26, 1998|first = Matt|last = Weitz|title = Hammered|access-date = November 16, 2009|archive-date = June 1, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090601043124/http://www.dallasobserver.com/1998-02-26/news/hammered/|url-status = dead}}</ref>

In 1997, just prior to beginning his ministry, Hammer (who by that time had re-adopted "MC") was the subject of an episode of ''[[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]'' and the [[VH1]] series ''[[Behind the Music]]'' (music from his album ''[[Inside Out (MC Hammer album)|Inside Out]]'' was featured in this documentary).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/music/episodes/197308 |title=Behind the Music Episodes – Behind the Music Full Episode Guides on VH1 |work=TV Guide |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/behind-the-music-vh1-return/ |title=Behind the Music returning |date=April 6, 2009 |publisher=TV Series Finale |access-date=May 10, 2011}}</ref> In these appearances, Burrell admitted "that [he] had already used up most of [his] fortune of over $20 million, proving that money is nothing if it doesn't bring peace and if priorities are wrong".<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.s9.com/Biography/Hammer|title = Hammer|publisher = s9.com|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090531072140/http://www.s9.com/Biography/Hammer|archive-date = May 31, 2009}}</ref> He would go on to express a similar point in other interviews as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.popcrunch.com/mc-hammer-ellen-degeneres-interview-march-24-video/ |title=MC Hammer Ellen Degeneres Interview: March 24 |format=video |website=Tv.popcrunch.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531110118/http://tv.popcrunch.com/mc-hammer-ellen-degeneres-interview-march-24-video/ |archive-date=May 31, 2009 }}</ref>

During numerous interviews on radio stations and television channels throughout the years, Hammer was constantly questioned about his bankruptcy.<ref name="daveyd2"/><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/mc-hammer/165636|publisher = TV Guide|title = MC Hammer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/mc-hammer-social-media-marketing/ |title=How MC Hammer went from caricature to human being—the social media story |last=Tobin |first=Jim |date=February 5, 2009 |publisher=Ignite Social Media |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090525155056/http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/mc-hammer-social-media-marketing/ |archive-date=May 25, 2009 }}</ref> During an interview by [[WKQI]]-FM (95.5) for the promotion of his "Pioneers Of Hip Hop 2009" gig at the [[Fox Theatre (Detroit, Michigan)|Fox Theatre in Detroit]] (which featured [[2 Live Crew]], [[Naughty by Nature]], [[Too Short]], [[Biz Markie]] and [[Roxanne Shanté]]), Hammer was asked about his finances by the ''Mojo in the Morning'' host. Hammer responded on Twitter, saying that Mojo was a "coward" and threatened to cancel commercials for his upcoming show.<ref>[http://detnews.com/article/20090514/ENT09/905140390/1402/ENT09/Grapevine--Hammer--Mojo-go-at-it] {{dead link|date=December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Entertainment/cat_index_detroit_entertainment/Discovering_the_Spirit_of_Detroit_with_the_Pioneers_of_Hip_Hop_Review.php|publisher = lasplash.com|title = Rediscovering the Spirit of Detroit with the 'Pioneers of Hip Hop' Review|author = Chick Chop Suey}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/1598/943559?title=sports |publisher=WJBK FOX 2 Detroit, MI |format=video |title=MC Hammer Returns |date=May 13, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719151224/http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/playlist/1598/943559?title=sports |archive-date=July 19, 2011 }}</ref>

On November 21, 2011, the U.S. government filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in California against Hammer to obtain a court judgment on his unpaid taxes for years 1996 and 1997.<ref>See Complaint, docket entry 1, November 21, 2011, ''United States v. Stanley K. Burrell'', case no. 2:11-cv-03079-GEB-EFB, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.</ref> In December 2011, this litigation was reported in the media. Hammer owed $779,585 in back taxes from his earnings dating back to 1996–1997; during the years, Hammer was believed to be facing his worst financial problems. After years of public and media ridicule regarding his financial problem, Hammer tried to assure fans and "naysayers" via Twitter, saying that he had proof he had already taken care of his debt with the IRS. "700k – Don't get too excited .. I paid them already and kept my receipt. Stamped by a US Federal Judge", Hammer tweeted from his account @MCHammer.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jake|last=Crates |url=http://allhiphop.com/2011/12/12/mc-hammer-pays-off-financial-debt-to-irs/ |title=MC Hammer Pays Off Financial Debt to IRS |website=AllHipHop.com |date=December 12, 2011 |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref> 

However, the District Court ruled against Hammer. He appealed, but, on December 17, 2015, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Hammer's argument that because the government had not listed those taxes in the government's proof of claim filed with the Bankruptcy Court, the government should be stopped from collecting the taxes.<ref>''United States v. Stanley K. Burrell'', December 17, 2015, case no. 14-15015, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.</ref> According to a 2017 episode of the [[Reelz]] TV series ''Broke & Famous'', the situation was eventually resolved.<ref name="broke and famous">"MC Hammer: Broke & Famous".  ''Broke & Famous''.  Exec. Prod. Joe Houlihan and Simon Lloyd.  Reelz, September 29, 2017.  Television.</ref> As of the making of the aforementioned ''Broke & Famous'' episode, Hammer had a reported net worth of $1.5 million.<ref name="broke and famous"/>

=== Obstruction charges ===
Hammer was arrested in 2013 in [[Dublin, California]], for allegedly [[Obstruction of justice|obstructing an officer]] in the performance of his duties and resisting an officer (according to [[Stop and identify statutes|"stop and identify" statutes]]). Hammer claims he was a victim of [[racial profiling]] by the police, stating an officer pulled out his gun and randomly asked him: "Are you on parole or probation?" Hammer stated that as he handed over his [[Identity document|ID]], the officer reached inside the car and tried to pull him out. Police in Dublin, east of [[Oakland]], said Hammer was "blasting music" in a vehicle with expired [[Vehicle registration|registration]] and he was not the registered owner. "After asking Hammer who the registered owner was, he became very argumentative and refused to answer the officer's questions," police spokesman Herb Walters typed in an e-mail to [[CNN]]. Hammer was booked and released from [[Santa Rita Jail]] in Dublin. A court date was scheduled; however, all charges were dropped in early March.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/mc-hammers-obstruction-charges-dropped-1739233.story |title=MC Hammer's obstruction charges dropped {{pipe}} Story {{pipe}} Wonderwall |website=Wonderwall.msn.com |date=March 10, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729044223/http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/mc-hammers-obstruction-charges-dropped-1739233.story |archive-date=July 29, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/10/mc-hammer-charges-dropped_n_2847783.html |title=MC Hammer Charges Dropped After Arrest Last Month |publisher=Huffington Post |date= March 10, 2013|access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref> Hammer tweeted that he was not bitter and considered what happened "a teachable moment".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/23/showbiz/california-mc-hammer-arrest |title=MC Hammer arrested in obstructing officer case |work=CNN |access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/02/23/mc-hammer-arrested-obstruction/ |title=MC Hammer – Arrested for Obstruction, But Claims Profiling |work=TMZ |date=February 23, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mc-hammer-arrested-in-california/ |title=MC Hammer arrested in California |work=Fox News |date=February 24, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/24/mc-hammer-arrested_n_2754939.html?amp |title=MC Hammer Arrested For Obstructing An Officer, Claims He's A Victim Of Racial Profiling |publisher=Huffington Post |date=February 24, 2013 |access-date=July 29, 2014}}</ref>

=== Christian beliefs and ministry ===
In 1984, Burrell began attending [[Bible study (Christianity)|Bible studies]], joined a street ministry, and formed a [[Gospel music|gospel]] rap group with [[Jon Gibson (Christian musician)|Jon Gibson]] known as the Holy Ghost Boy(s).<ref name="connectionmag"/> In 1986, Burrell and [[Tramaine Hawkins]] performed with Gibson's band in concerts at various venues, such as the Beverly Theatre in [[Beverly Hills]]. Several [[MC Hammer discography#Additional tracks|songs were recorded]] together,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/mc-hammer/tracks/?artist%5B0%5D=mc-hammer&artist%5B1%5D=mc-hammer&page=4|website=New.music.yahoo.com|title=MC Hammer Tracks|format=track listing|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717214011/http://music.yahoo.com/mc-hammer/tracks/?artist%5B0%5D=mc-hammer&artist%5B1%5D=mc-hammer&page=4|archive-date=July 17, 2012|access-date=June 11, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Musical collaboration|collaborating]] on "The Wall" from Gibson's album ''Change of Heart'' (1988),<ref name="allmusic.com"/> prior to Hammer's mainstream success.<ref name="Amazon1"/><ref name="SoulTracks_Gibson"/> This was [[Contemporary Christian music|CCM]]'s first [[Hot Rap Songs|rap hit]] by a [[blue-eyed soul]] singer and/or duo.<ref name="auto"/> Burrell also produced "Son of the King" at that time, releasing it on his debut album ''[[Feel My Power]]'' (1986).

Raised [[Pentecostal]], Hammer strayed from his [[Christianity|Christian]] faith during his success, before returning to ministry. His awareness of this can be found in a film he wrote and starred in called ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em#Film|Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em: The Movie]]'' (1990), in which he also plays the [[charisma]]tic preacher character named "Reverend Pressure".<ref name="imdb.com"/><ref name="imdb0390374"/><ref name="dabelly"/> Nonetheless, as a tribute to his faith, Hammer [[vow]]ed/promised to dedicate at least one song on each album to God.<ref>{{cite web |last=Doucet |first=Daina |url=http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Page.aspx?pid=3156 |title=Christianity.ca – MC Hammer Returns to Faith |website=Evangelicalfellowship.ca |access-date=July 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727213105/http://www.evangelicalfellowship.ca/Page.aspx?pid=3156 |archive-date=July 27, 2014 }}</ref>

During 1991, Hammer was featured on the single "The Blood" from the [[BeBe & CeCe Winans]] album, ''[[BeBe & CeCe Winans#Different Lifestyles|Different Lifestyles]]''. In 1992, the song [[BeBe & CeCe Winans#Singles|peaked at No. 8]] on the [[Hot Christian Adult Contemporary#Christian|Christian charts]]. Hammer later reaffirmed his beliefs in October 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.christianity.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=3156&srcid=1957|title= Rap Artist MC Hammer Returns to Faith in God|website=Christianity.ca|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110728034631/http://www.christianity.ca/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=3156|archive-date= July 28, 2011}}</ref> and began a [[Televangelism|television ministry]] called ''MC Hammer and Friends'' on the [[Trinity Broadcasting Network]], as well as appearing on ''[[Praise (TV program)|Praise the Lord]]'' programs where he went public about his devotion to ministry as an [[ordained]] [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tbn.org/about/newsletter/index.php/928.html|title = MC Hammer on Praise|publisher = tbn.org|access-date = June 17, 2009|archive-date = November 17, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091117141359/http://www.tbn.org/about/newsletter/index.php/928.html|url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/78.html|title= MC Hammer|publisher= TBN|access-date= October 9, 2007|archive-date= October 11, 2007|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011141702/http://tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/78.html|url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tbn.org/index.php/9/4/M.html|title = Address book: M|publisher = tbn.org|access-date = May 11, 2009|archive-date = February 7, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090207014104/http://www.tbn.org/index.php/9/4/M.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Hammer [[Officiant|officiated]] at the celebrity weddings of actor [[Corey Feldman]] and Susie Sprague on October 30, 2002<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/11-27-2002-31154.asp|archive-url= https://archive.today/20120729021344/http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/11-27-2002-31154.asp|url-status= usurped|archive-date= July 29, 2012|title=Corey Feldman Wed by MC Hammer|date = November 27, 2002|publisher = buzzle.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tlchicken.com/article.php?ARTid=1000|title = Feldman Gets Hitched by Hammer|first = Bethany|last = Shady|website = Tlchicken.com|access-date = June 17, 2009|archive-date = July 16, 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716113024/http://www.tlchicken.com/article.php?ARTid=1000|url-status = dead}}</ref> (as seen on [[VH1]]'s ''[[The Surreal Life]]''), and also at [[Mötley Crüe]]'s [[Vince Neil]] and Lia Gerardini's wedding in January 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/jan05/20050111_vinceneil.html |title=McHammer Marries Vince Neil |website=Undercover.com.au |date=January 11, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810150944/http://www.undercover.com.au/news/2005/jan05/20050111_vinceneil.html |archive-date=August 10, 2007 }}</ref>

During an interview on TBN (between 1997 and 1998), Hammer claimed he adopted the "MC" back into his name which now stood for 'Man of Christ'.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.religionnewsblog.com/830|title = TBN goes after Hispanic market|agency = Associated Press| date = September 13, 2002|publisher = religionnewsblog.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.tbn.org/about/newsletter/index.php/623.html|title = M.C. Hammer|format = newsletter|publisher = tbn.org|access-date = March 28, 2009|archive-date = May 29, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090529072049/http://www.tbn.org/about/newsletter/index.php/623.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> Hammer continued to preach while still making music, running a social media business and [[Hammertime|television show]], and devotes time to prison and youth ministries.<ref name="dabelly">{{cite web|url = http://www.dabelly.com/features/feature02.htm|title = Hammer-ing a new message|first = Michelle J.|last = Mills|publisher = dabelly.com|access-date = May 10, 2009|archive-date = October 7, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081007232107/http://www.dabelly.com/features/feature02.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> From 2009 to 2010, Hammer joined [[Jaeson Ma]] at a [[Revival meeting|crusade]] in Asia. Minister and mentor to Ma for more than a decade, Hammer assisted and co-starred in his documentary film ''[[1040 (film)|1040]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1040movie.com/tag/jaeson-ma |title=Jaeson Ma {{pipe}} 1040 |website=1040movie.com |date=September 8, 2010 |access-date=December 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126045649/http://1040movie.com/tag/jaeson-ma |archive-date=January 26, 2012 }}</ref> which explores the spread of [[Christianity in Asia|Christianity throughout Asia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alivenotdead.com/jaesonma/DOCUMENTARY-EXPLORES-MODERN-ASIAN-REVIVAL-1040-profile-932065.html |title=DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES MODERN ASIAN REVIVAL – 1040 – Blog – Jaeson Ma – My official artist profile |website=Alivenotdead.com |access-date=December 17, 2012}}</ref>