MC Hammer fans received a huge shock this week when they saw “RIP Hammer” trending on social media.
Users initially thought the posts — which flooded X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (March 14) — related to the Hip Hop legend, but thankfully the “U Can’t Touch This” rapper is still alive.
Some were left mistakenly mourning his death, while others commented on the heartbeat-skipping confusion.
“Yall need to be more specific with these hashtags. When I saw #RIPHammer trending I thought we loss one of music’s greatest!” one fan tweeted.
Another wrote: “Saw #RIPHammer trending and panicked thinking he did indeed get touched” next to a gif of Denzel Washington appearing shocked and then relieved in the 1998 film Fallen.
Wrestling legend Greg “The Hammer” Valentine was also roped into the false alarm drama as one person said: “Everyone is seeing Rip Hammer trending and freaking out thinking that MC Hammer passed away. Meanwhile I’m over here worrying it means Greg ‘The Hammer’ Valentine has passed.”
MC Hammer, whose real name is Stanley Burrell, has yet to comment himself.
Yall need to be more specific with these hashtags. When I saw #RIPHammer trending I thought we loss one of music’s greatest! pic.twitter.com/ZJc8f0lEmE
— Wit drier than your weave! 😂🦋👠💄 (@lavidafelicia) March 14, 2024
Saw #RIPHammer trending and panicked thinking he did indeed get touched. #Hammer RIP Hammer. pic.twitter.com/1iIuDn33P2
— Cory Furlong (@Cory_J_Fur) March 14, 2024
Everyone is seeing Rip Hammer trending and freaking out thinking that MC Hammer passed away. Meanwhile I’m over here worrying it means Greg “The Hammer” Valentine has passed. We are not the same. #RIPHammer#WrestleManiapic.twitter.com/qFVDBxKEf0
— Gorilla Harpoon (@GorillaHarpoon) March 15, 2024
“RIP Hammer” was actually trending due to the heartbreaking story of a house fire involving UFC fighter Mark Coleman, his family and their dog.
59-year-old Coleman was left in critical condition earlier this week after rescuing his family from the blaze that burned down their home and took the life of their pet dog, Hammer.
According to reports, Coleman was woken up around 4 a.m. by his dog as the fire began to consume the house. The UFC Hall of Famer managed to rescue his mother and father and escort them to safety.
He then went back into the house to rescue Hammer, but the dog sadly did not survive.
Coleman had to be airlifted to hospital due to smoke inhalation, with doctors later able to clear his lungs.
After waking, he said in a video posted on Facebook: “I’m the happiest man in the world. Sweet God, I’m so lucky. I can’t believe my parents are alive.
“I had to make a decision, Wes. Because I got out of my room and went to the door and it was already horrible. I couldn’t breathe. I almost had to go outside and I went back in and got them. I can’t believe I got them but I couldn’t find Hammer.”
A GoFundMe was created by Coleman’s daughters to help pay for medical expenses while the former fighter is in hospital.
So far, over $90,000 has been raised for Coleman. You can donate to the fund by clicking here.
