If you have been alive during the last 20 years, chances are you know who MC Hammer is. It’s likely that you think of the Hammer as a True Hollywood Story victim or Behind the Music casualty due to a fall from fame and fortune that was nearly as dramatic as his rocket-ship rise.
Its easy to forget that MC Hammer was a true hip-hop pioneer. While Run-D.M.C. proved that the mainstream was ready for rap, MC Hammer was one of the first real superstars of the genre. Today it can be hard to understand how Hammer’s odd hairstyles, skinny frame and creative dance moves equaled then-unparalleled success. But they did. And we can all do well by spending a little Hammer time as we are shaking up ideas for our next presentations.
Learn these lessons from the Hammer and you’re next stop at the podium will be too legit to quit!
Bigger than Life
We all know that the anxiety of presenting can be our biggest challenge when it comes to pitching the perfect PowerPoint. In other articles, we’ve suggested adopting techniques that an actor might use to help you get over your discomfort. Hammer’s bigger than life persona is the creation of a kid who was born Stanley Burrell of Oakland, California. He dreamed he could be a superstar, gave himself a new identity, and became one. You probably don’t need to change your name or buy some big pants, but what if you pictured the kind of superstar presenter you want to be and bought a special tie or skirt that you only wore when presenting? Getting “into costume” can be a great way to focus your mind, and it makes it easy to “step into” your presentation super-alter-ego!
Never Give Up
When Stanley was a little boy, he would dance in front of the Oakland A’s baseball stadium for tips. He would stroll and cajole until he put together enough pocket change to buy a ticket to the game. Presenting can be tough, and no one becomes an overnight success. The fact is you’ve got to get creative, get busy, and always strive for your best if you want to knock your PowerPoints out of the park!
For What it’s Worth
Even in the earliest dawning of Hammer’s star on the horizon, he faced criticism from other rappers and many music critics. However, his record sales, concert dates, television appearances, and films continued to sell in record numbers as long as he stuck to the original formula that worked for his music: keep it simple, keep it positive, and keep it groovin’. It’s important to seek out opinions about your PowerPoint presentations, but you need to take them with a grain of salt. Trust yourself, trust your abilities, and follow through.
Keep it Real
The beginning of the end for MC Hammer came as his reach started to exceed his grasp. He continued to sell tons of records, but his lavish tours ate up his profits. In addition, his billionaire lifestyle quickly drained his millionaire budget. Don’t get carried away! You may be tempted to drag and drop every animated, audio-enhanced, hyperlinked bell and whistle you can find into your next PowerPoint presentation. Don’t be fooled! Your presentation always comes down to your story and you. The rest is strictly decoration.
Never Forget
The final straw for MC Hammer came when he abandoned his winning formula, trying to play catch-up with changing music trends. He dropped his “MC” and became “Hammer”. He produced an album of decidedly harder-edged material that clearly didn’t suit him. He fired his longtime producer and began hopping from label to label. Once you begin to discover your style, don’t forget what works when it comes to winning over an audience. It’s important to evolve and refine our presentations over time, but never lose sight of what made you a presentation powerhouse in the first place!
