"U Can't Touch This" is a song co-written, produced and performed by M.C. Hammer released from his 1990 album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em.
This track is considered to be his signature song with an opening riff sampled from the Rick James song "Super Freak", repeated throughout the recording. The lyrics "You can't touch this" and "Stop! Hammer time!" became pop culture catchphrases with Hammertime later used as the title of a reality show starring Hammer on the A&E Network in the summer of 2009.
A multi-award winner, M.C. Hammer is considered a "forefather/pioneer" and innovator of pop-rap. “U Can’t Touch This” peaked at No. 1 not only on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles but also in several other countries as well. Evident from its popularity across the airwaves, club scene along with high record $$$, this track received numerous awards including Best R&B Song, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Video, Best Dance Video, and it was also the first rap song to be nominated for Record of the Year at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards in 1991.
His popularity and success diminished in ‘92, leading to financial problems and a highly publicized bankruptcy in ‘96. An attempt to revive his career by moving into Gangsta rap at its peak with the release of his 5th studio album The Funky Headhunter was also unsuccessful even with notable hits like Pumps and a Bump and Don’t Stop.