Hammer Heads for the Top

Though long one of the most popular rappers, M. C. Hammer was primarily known only in rap circles until this breakthrough album, “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em”--No. 4 on the Billboard chart--finally introduced him to the pop mainstream. Controversy is certainly helping Public Enemy’s “Fear of a Black Planet,” which vaulted to No. 19 in just two weeks. On the heavy-metal circuit, Slaughter’s “Stick it to Ya” (No. 21) and Damn Yankees’ “Damn Yankees” (No. 41) are the fast-rising newcomers. The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” sound track (No. 31) is zooming up the chart. So is Fleetwood Mac’s “Behind the Mask” (No. 30).

* Heart probably takes more heat from critics than any major pop-rock group. “Brigade” isn’t a critical favorite, but it’s No. 8 after just three weeks on the chart.

POP ALBUM CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “I Do Not Want ... 1 2 5 Haven’t Got” Sinead O’Connor (Chrysalis) 2. “Rhythm Nation 1814” 2 2 31 Janet Jackson (A&M;) 3. “Soul Provider” 3 5 42 Michael Bolton (Columbia) 4. “Please Hammer Don’t 6 7 9 Hurt ‘Em” M.C. Hammer (Capitol) 5. “Forever Your Girl” 5 4 94 Paula Adbul (Virgin) * “Brigade” 14 42 3 Heart (Capitol)