MC Hammer sued over $75K in missed car payments for luxury Land Rover

MC Hammer Sued for $75K Over Missed Land Rover Payments

MC Hammer is once again making headlines—not for a music comeback, but for alleged financial missteps involving a high-end vehicle. The legendary rapper, known for his flashy lifestyle and cultural impact in the ’90s, is being sued by JPMorgan Chase Bank for reportedly defaulting on payments for a 2023 Land Rover.

According to a complaint filed on July 31 in San Joaquin County Superior Court, the Oakland-raised entertainer—born Stanley Kirk Burrell—allegedly stopped making payments on a $114,376.90 auto loan, leaving $76,732.79outstanding.

The lawsuit names MC Hammer and U Can’t Touch This LLC as defendants, accusing them of defaulting on the contract and refusing to surrender the luxury SUV despite repeated demands. Although MC has an incredible career in music, his financial brand continues to decline.

MC Hammer’s Meteoric Rise to Fame

Born Stanley Kirk Burrell in Oakland, California, MC Hammer began his journey from humble beginnings and a brief stint in the U.S. Navy to becoming a household name in hip-hop. Known for his iconic “Hammer pants,” explosive choreography, and chart-topping hits like “U Can’t Touch This” and “2 Legit 2 Quit,” Hammer ushered in a new era of pop rap in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

After independently releasing Feel My Power in 1986, he signed with Capitol Records. Ultimately, dropping Let’s Get It Started in 1988, which went multi-platinum. His third studio album, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em (1990), became the first hip-hop album to be certified diamond. Shockingly, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone. At the height of his fame, Hammer was everywhere—from Mattel dolls and Pepsi commercials to a Saturday morning cartoon show titled Hammerman.

From Bankruptcy to Business and Ministry

However, Hammer’s mainstream dominance was short-lived. As hip-hop shifted toward grittier gangsta rap, Hammer’s polished image and mass appeal were criticized. By 1996, his lavish lifestyle—complete with a $30 million mansion and a 200-person entourage—led him to file for bankruptcy with over $13 million in debt. Still, Hammer remained resilient.

He reinvented himself in the late ’90s and 2000s as an ordained preacher, tech entrepreneur, and television personality. He founded his own record labels and helped launch other acts like Oaktown’s 3.5.7 and B Angie B. Hammer also appeared on reality TV (Hammertime on A&E), judged dance competitions, and co-founded DanceJam.com, a YouTube-style dance platform.

Even today, Hammer continues to perform live. While also appearing in commercials, and engaging in outreach work. Further, reminding audiences that despite financial pitfalls, his cultural impact and hustle remain undeniable.

The Lawsuit: What JPMorgan Chase Claims

Court documents show that MC Hammer financed the Land Rover through JPMorgan Chase in May 2023 and agreed to make 60 monthly payments of $2,433.97. Everything seemed on track until May 2024, when the rapper allegedly ceased regular payments. The last recorded payment was made on July 14, 2024, according to the complaint.

The bank claims it attempted to repossess the vehicle, but Hammer and his LLC have not returned it. This puts the rapper in breach of contract, according to the lender.

While the total unpaid amount is $76,732.79, additional interest, legal fees, and penalties could drive the final number higher if the court rules in the bank’s favor.

A Pattern in Hammer’s History

For longtime fans and industry watchers, this isn’t the first time Hammer’s name has been linked to serious financial hardship.

He was known for employing a massive entourage, buying racehorses, and living in a 12-acre Fremont mansionequipped with tennis courts. In addition to a recording studio, and a bowling alley. Eventually, the estate was sold, and Hammer relocated to a modest three-bedroom home in Tracy, California.

While he reinvented himself in the years following, moments like this show that financial turbulence continues to follow the artist behind “U Can’t Touch This.”

From Bankruptcy to Rebranding

After his financial collapse in the mid-’90s, Hammer attempted several comebacks. He released gospel albums, appeared on reality television, and dabbled in tech entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. At one point, he served as a consultant for Twitter and invested in several startups.

Hammer also took on public speaking roles, offering insight on tech, spirituality, and financial responsibility—ironically, the very thing he once struggled to manage. But even as he found new ways to stay relevant, legal and financial hiccups continued to pop up, including back taxes and lawsuits related to past business dealings.

This latest lawsuit over a missed car loan may seem minor compared to past debts, but it still reflects the ongoing battle Hammer faces in maintaining financial stability decades after his peak.

Hip-Hop’s Negative Relationship With Money

MC Hammer isn’t the only hip-hop artist to face financial turmoil despite massive success. Rap icons like DMX, who sold millions of records in the late ’90s and early 2000s, filed for bankruptcy in 2013. Ultimately, citing over $1 million in debt.

 Lil’ Kim faced foreclosure on her New Jersey mansion in 2018 after defaulting on a $2 million loan. While Fat Joe, Ja Rule, and Nas have all battled IRS issues and tax liens. Even 50 Cent, once hailed as one of the wealthiest rappers, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. Abruptly, after losing a multimillion-dollar lawsuit. These stories underscore how fame and fortune in hip-hop can quickly unravel without strong financial management.

Public Reaction: Sympathy, Criticism, and Nostalgia

News of Hammer’s financial woes resurfacing has triggered mixed reactions online. On social media, some fans expressed sympathy, pointing to the rapper’s generous past—he was known for helping friends, family, and community members financially.

Others, however, were more critical, questioning why the rapper continues to make high-priced purchases despite a history of money problems.

“Bro went bankrupt in the ‘90s and still hasn’t learned,” one user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Still, some fans defended him, noting that Hammer’s legacy isn’t just about money—it’s about breaking barriers in hip-hop, and making it okay for rappers to dance, entertain, and think big.

What’s Next for Hammer?

If JPMorgan Chase succeeds in court, MC Hammer could be forced to pay the full balance of the loan. Along with interest and legal costs. The court could also issue an order for the vehicle’s repossession, which may have already begun privately behind the scenes.

There’s been no public comment from Hammer or his representatives as of yet. However, the situation adds another chapter to the ongoing story of one of hip-hop’s most famous—and financially scrutinized—figures.

Whether this case is resolved quietly or becomes part of a bigger legal battle, one thing is clear. MC Hammer’s relationship with money continues to generate headlines. Even after more than three decades since he first danced into stardom.