On this day, 9 June 1990, MC Hammer’s “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘Em becomes just the second rap album to reach #1 in America (Licensed to Ill by Bestie Boys was the first).

The breakout hit is ” U Can’t Touch This,” which gets the rapper on MTV with an iconic video that shows off his high-energy Hammer dancing (including his signature move: the Chinese typewriter). The party vibe becomes the basis for his live appearances, where dozens of dancers and hypemen join him on stage.