Hammer Bumps O’Connor Down a Notch

After several weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine pop album chart, rapper M.C. Hammer’s “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” finally bumped Sinead O’Connor’s “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” out of the top spot--down to No. 2. Her reign lasted six weeks. Paula Abdul’s “Shut up and Dance” has been the most popular new album in the last few weeks, shooting up to No. 9 in just three weeks. The Bell Biv Devoe threesome, whose “Poison” is No. 5, aren’t the only New Edition members who have a hit album. Balladeer Johnny Gill is headed for the Top 10 with his “Johnny Gill” album,” which moved up four places to No. 16. The Wilson Phillips trio cracked the Top 10 with “Wilson Phillips”--up two notches to No. 10.

* Madonna’s new album, “I’m Breathless,” entered the chart at No. 44. Her high-profile tour plus her single, “Vogue”--which just dropped to No. 2--have given the album a big boost.

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” 2 2 14 M.C. Hammer (Capitol) 2. “I Do Not Want ... Haven’t Got” 1 1 10 Sinead O’Connor (Chrysalis) 3. “Brigade” 3 3 8 Heart (Capitol) 4. “Pretty Woman” 4 6 10 sound track (EMI) 5. “Poison” 5 7 10 Bell Biv Devoe (MCA) “I’m Breathless” ... ... 1 Madonna (Sire)