MC Hammer blew $70m on marble statues of himself & pool shaped like his trousers

MC Hammer was one of the highest-earning stars in the music industry back in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

At his peak around 1991, he was bringing in a reported $30 million (£20 million) a year with his fortune estimated at around $70 million (£52 million).

However, just five years later the rapper filed for bankruptcy after squandering his hard-earned cash and going broke.

Hammer – real name Stanley Burrell – shot to fame in the late 1980s and was a global superstar by the time he released his most famous track U Can’t Touch This in 1990.

His wacky outfits and baggy trousers became his trademark as he racked in millions.

The rapper was determined to enjoy his earnings and started splashing the cash big time.

He went on an epic spending spree over the next few years, buying more than 17 luxury cars, a private jet, two helicopters and 21 race horses, with some of the animals valued at around $1 million (£700,000) each.

Hammer also insisted on employing a staff of around 200 people, which cost him an estimated $500,000 (£373,000) a month.

However, it was his home where the star spent his real money.

He bought a property in Fremont, California for $12 million (£9 million) and spent another $30 million (£22 million) turning it into his dream home.

Not one to skimp, Hammer installed gold plated front gates emblazoned with his Hammer Time catch phrase.

He added a bowling alley, basket ball court, baseball triangle, recording studio, 17-car garage, tennis courts and two swimming pools to the 40,000 square foot mansion.

One of the pools was famously shaped in the outline of his famous baggy trousers.

He adorned the property with marble statues of himself and installed a gold hot tub in his bedroom.

The star took his decorating inspiration from many of the hotels he’d stayed in on his travels, adding black carpets, marble floors and a pop-up TV in front of his bed.

He told the Chicago Tribune : “When I moved in here, it felt more like I was still on vacation,” he said. “In my world travels, I stayed at the finest hotels. I’ve seen the best…

“That pop-up TV console in the bedroom? I got the idea at The Mirage in Vegas…

“All the floors are marble. My wife flew to Italy and picked it out of the mines. They cut it out of the mountain… but I’ve only used the marble steam room in my bathroom once and I’ve probably never even sat on the couch in the living room.”

When asked to explain why he blew so much cash on his home, he said: “I did it because I could.

“Not that I had to live here. But I could. Do I have regrets? I’m just not one to do that.”

Gradually the money ran out and Hammer found he was spending more than he was earning.

Hammer time came to a stop when he filed for bankruptcy in April 1996, listing more than 200 creditors as well as mounting tax bills.

Hammer was forced to sell his beloved dream home for just $6.5 million – $5.5 million less than he originally paid for it.

His cars, planes and horses were taken away and he had to move to a much more humble home with his family.

Despite going through such a touch downfall, the star remained philosophical and insisted he wasn’t going to be defined by “material things”.

He added: “I’ve had six fun years living here. But… it reminds me of the trials and tribulations.

“Yeah, I’m relieved and joyous that we’re going. But at the same time, I’m sad…

“I had an up-close and personal conversation with God and he spanked me. I deserved it.”