Motown To mark 60 years of Motown, a new greatest hits album by the label has been. He will always be remembered for his flamboyant style, crazy moves and chart-topping hits. This year is the 60th anniversary of Motowns first Number One hit.

Despite his lyrical shortcomings, Hammer paved the way for other Crossover Rap superstars. In 1997, he declared bankruptcy and focused his efforts on God and family, two themes heavily addressed on his Gospel/R&B album Family Affair (1998). Three subsequent albums were met with little fanfare. Hammer won Grammys, appeared in commercials and even had a cartoon show but the fickle public soon grew bored with his positive and poppy style - Gangsta Rap was on the rise. Other hits followed, namely 'Pray.' Hot on its heels, Too Legit To Quit (1991) found similar success. Fueled by the high-energy party jam 'U Can't Touch This,' Hammer took the world by storm with his trademark genie pants and simple raps over the bassline from Rick James' 'Superfreak.' The single was an enormous hit, and the album became one of the biggest selling rap records in history. His 1990 crossover classic Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em made him an international megastar. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. He got a deal for the girls on Motown and gave them their group name, which was. It is believed that with the formation of rival Prince's sexy new girl group Vanity 6 in 1982, James wished to compete with his own sexy quartet. Rick James is ranked number 3,099 in the overall artist rankings with a total rank score of 299. The Mary Jane Girls were brought together by Rick James in 1979, hired as back-up singers for his tour. From rags to riches to bankruptcy to life as a preacher, Hammer's life plays like a movie (see: VH1's Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story). The best album credited to Rick James is Street Songs which is ranked number 5,305 in the overall greatest album chart with a total rank score of 248.

Rick james greatest hits full album