Inside Out (MC Hammer album)


Inside Out is the sixth studio album by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released via Giant Records and Reprise Records on September 12, 1995. After the decrease in popularity and sales of his previous album, The Funky Headhunter, Hammer returned to his previous pop rap image.
Inside Out featured emotionally-driven gospel dance tracks. The album spawned two singles: "Sultry Funk" and "Goin' Up Yonder". "Nothing But Love " was dedicated to Eazy-E, who had died in 1995. In contrast to his prior albums, the singles did not go as far as previous releases.
The album peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, but only reached number 119 on the Billboard 200, causing Giant Records to drop Hammer and his Oaktown Records subsidiary from the label. The album received positive reviews.

Critical reception

AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine felt that Hammer was "unsure of himself throughout the album, attempting to gain some street credibility and a mass audience simultaneously." He concluded that, "he result is a record that has a few good isolated moments, but never delivers a knockout punch, let alone a memorable hook or groove."
Tom Sinclair from Entertainment Weekly said that, "Even if nothing here touches "U Can't Touch This," the material is well crafted enough to convince you "Hammer Time" hasn't run out yet."
In a 2023 retrospective review, Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews praised Hammer for continuing the "musical direction" he followed on The Funky Headhunter while adding thoughtful lyrics with subtle religious tones, concluding that: "It makes me suspect that I'm being contrarian on purpose and liking this record because people had already written Stanley Burrell off as a joke, but he's not ashamed to say he loves the Lord so I'm not ashamed to say I enjoyed his album. Give this one another chance."

Samples

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes of Inside Out.
  • The High Street Bank Boys – background vocals
  • Todd Brown – background vocals, mixing, vocal arrangements
  • Ben Ross – background vocals, synthesizers, drum programming
  • D-Style – guitar
  • Ontario Hayes – piano, additional organ
  • Mike "Nite" Hersh – engineering
  • Brian Mayfield – engineering, assistant engineering
  • Dave Baker – engineering
  • John Rhone – engineering
  • Matt Campagna – assistant engineering
  • LindaEar Music – clearance assistance
  • Victor Hall – art direction, logo design
  • Mel Peters – cover photography