2 Legit 2 Quit

"2 Legit 2 Quit" wasn't the smash hit MC Hammer was hoping for, but it did leave behind a popular catch phrase. Even decades later, the title phrase remained a mantra of perseverance, and thanks to the music video, has a hand gesture to go with it. Just put up two fingers, switch to an "L" with the thumb and forefinger, then swipe across with the palm down to show there's no quit.

MC Hammer went big with his 1990 breakthrough album Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em, touring with a huge entourage that had too many hype men and not enough accountants. His profligate productions and lavish lifestyle (he bought a $20 million mansion) were funded by huge sales of the album, which sold an astounding 10 million copies in America, led by the hit single "U Can't Touch This." Ever the showman, Hammer was everywhere, making regular TV appearances, pitching for Pepsi, and in hot rotation on MTV. He had his own action figure and his own cartoon (Hammerman). He had race horses, including one (Dance Floor) that ran in the Kentucky Derby. But Hammer fatigue started to set in when the fourth single from the album, "Here Comes The Hammer," stalled at #54. Undeterred, he went bigger than ever for his next album, Too Legit To Quit, spending $2.5 million on the video for the lead single, "2 Legit 2 Quit." He hit the road with an even bigger entourage that gobbled up even more expenses. This time, album sales couldn't support it. Too Legit To Quit sold 3 million, but the single faded fast and ticket sales tapered off. Hemorrhaging money, Hammer couldn't complete the tour, and he was beset with financial problems. His next two albums didn't do much damage, and in 1996 he filed for bankruptcy.

The song has a massive, shouted chorus and a big, chunky beat, but unlike Hammer's previous hits, it was not structured on an existing hit ("U Can't Touch This" was built on Rick James' "Super Freak"; "Pray" sampled Prince's "When Doves Cry"). Running 5:04 in edited form, it hammered a little too hard for pop radio and topped out at #5 in the US.