MC Hammer offers thoughts on Philly entrepreneurship, delivers keynote at Wharton Technology Conference

Depending on whom you ask, MC Hammer is a rapper. Or a dancer. Or a reality TV star. But today, the former diamond-certified recording artist addressed the Wharton Technology Conference as MC Hammer: entrepreneur and social media evangelist.
“I’m a super geek,” the DanceJam.com CEO said with a smile, referencing the song “Super Freak” by Rick James and the sample track behind his best-known hit “Cant Touch This.”

During the speech, Hammer (real-name Stanley Kirk Burrell) spoke primarily about social media and its disruptive impact on large, established businesses playing into the conferences theme of “Transforming Business.” He pointed to the Obama campaign as evidence of social media’s impact.

He compared the recent scandals of David Letterman and Tiger Woods, applauding Letterman for meeting allegations head-on and being transparent. Meanwhile Woods (whom Hammer called a “dear friend” – one of the many celebrities he mentioned being close with) disappeared from the limelight, allowing for rumors to swirl and the story to live on longer than it needed to.
“Transparency is no longer and option,” he said.
Hammer delivered the keynote at the Marriott Downtown, in front of a ballroom that was roughly 80 percent full despite the miserable weather outside.
In attendance was a mix of students and local businesspeople. And, we have to admit, it was great seeing stern businessman address the speaker as “Hammer” when asking a question during the Q&A session.

Thoughts on Philly

Technically Philly asked the well-traveled Hammer, an Oakland-native, what he saw as the biggest difference between West Coast and East Coast entrepreneurs.
“There’s not as much infrastructure for entrepreneurship here,” he said, referencing friends from Boston who are struggling to keep qualified MIT and Harvard grads from moving West, a problem Philadelphia can identify with.
In the Valley, he said, everyone “knows the dance” and the startup culture is part of the normal order.
“I need to spend more time here,” he admitted. “But there is a ‘definitive’ difference, a cultural difference for sure.”