Hammer pants are modified baggy pants, tapered at the ankle with a sagging rise, made suitable for hip hop dancing.[1] They were popularized in the 1980s and 1990s by American rapper MC Hammer.[2] They were inspired by harem pants, which originated in the Middle East, and were introduced to Western fashion by Paul Poiret around 1910.

Hammer's specialized clothing line would come in a variety of colors and were usually shiny and flashy-styled, as often seen throughout his hip-hop career during talk show appearances, live concerts and music videos (including "U Can't Touch This" and "Pray"). The customized pants appeared again on Hammertime, his 2009 TV reality show.[3][4]

In 2022, Bobby Brown claimed he started wearing the "diaper pants" that Hammer altered and made famous, on his A&E show Bobby Brown: Every Little Step.[5] However, Brown wore a less sagging variation during some concerts and in music videos, such as "My Prerogative" (1988) and "Every Little Step" (1989).[6][7]

References

  1. ^ "Sagging Crotches: MC Hammer / Harem Pants". The Urban Gentleman. 2009-01-12.
  2. ^ Chance, Molly (November 2012). "American Music Awards 2012 fashion: Justin Bieber, Chris Brown and M.C. Hammer's saggy drawers". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services, Inc. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013.
  3. ^ Leo, Alex (2009-07-08). "MC Hammer Flash Mob: Parachute-Pant-Wearing Dancers Take Over Store On Sunset (VIDEO)". Huffington Post.
  4. ^ Brockington, Ryan (2009-08-06). "MC Hammer: 'Get Ready For a Big Reunion With Me and Vanilla Ice'". New York Post. Archived from the original on 2011-11-29.
  5. ^ "And #BobbyBrown presents to you: Diaper Pants!". TikTok. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  6. ^ "Moves from the 80's". 27 June 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Bobby Brown's Most Trendsetting Style Moments". 26 May 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
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