Hammer Hurts Rivals

M.C. Hammer’s “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” continues its reign as Billboard magazine pop chart champ, with 16 weeks at No. 1. The album has sold more than 5 million copies, with Hammer’s tour helping to boost sales. The hard-rock band Queensryche is the big pop chart surprise, zooming up to No. 10 in just two weeks. Warrant’s “Cherry Pie,” definitely on its way to the Top 10, entered the chart at No. 33. Another surprise: Country singer Garth Brooks’ new one, “No Fences,” jumped from No. 52 to No. 32. Nelson, a duo made up of the late Ricky Nelson’s sons, tops the pop singles chart with “Love and Affection.”

* George Michael’s new album debuted at a lofty No. 22. It’s a shoo-in to make the Top 5--and could take the top spot.

POP ALBUM CHART

Rank Rank 2 Weeks Title (Label) Last Week Weeks Ago on Chart 1. “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” 1 1 30 M.C. Hammer (Capitol) 2. “Wilson Phillips” 2 2 25 Wilson Phillips (SBK) 3. “Mariah Carey” 4 4 14 Mariah Carey (Columbia) 4. “Blaze of Glory” 3 3 6 Jon Bon Jovi ((Mercury) 5. “Poison” 5 6 26 Bell Biv Devoe (MCA) * “Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1” ... ... 1 George Michael (Columbia)