Stanley Burrell, who is best known as rapper MC Hammer, has suffered his fair share of ups and downs. Although his sophomore album, 'Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em,' made history as the first hip-hop album to reach diamond status, selling over 10 million units and affording the Oakland-born superstar his own cartoon and even his own "Hammer pants," Burrell filed for bankruptcy and his career suffered greatly.

Over the past few years, however, Hammer has been back on top, working hard as an Internet mogul and activist. He also starred on the first installment of VH1's 'The Surreal Life.' He will premiere his own A&E reality show 'Hammertime,' which showcases his life in Tracy, Calif., with his wife, Stephanie, and their family of six.

A few years ago, the 47-year-old cofounded an online community site, DanceJam.com, which is dedicated only to dance videos, competitions and styles. Hammer is now a popular blogger and Twitter short-form content creator, but he even has his own Hammertime iPhone application.

BV Newswire caught up with the '2 Legit 2 Quit' rapper to talk about his new show, raising his family and why the digital media world takes him serious.