[5] Recorded between 1987 and 1988, Let's Get It Started received mixed to negative reviews upon its release, but has since gone on to be praised as a hip-hop classic.

The album was supported by the released of four official singles: "Pump It Up", "Let's Get It Started", "Turn This Mutha Out" and "They Put Me in the Mix" which all charted.

Former A's player Mike Davis was looking to make an investment and backed the initial pressing with a $20,000 loan; when Hammer experienced the cash-flow problems endemic to independent entrepreneurs, he got a $20,000 boost from Dwayne Murphy, who had already heard the song on Oakland radio.

Following that, Hammer re-issued his first record (a revised version of Feel My Power) with additional tracks added and sold over 2 million copies.

[8] "Turn This Mutha Out" samples George Clinton's "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)", as well as the Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache".

It reached the Top 50 Australia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland and United Kingdom as well as being certified Gold in Japan for selling over 100,000 copies.

Music videos were produced for "Ring 'Em/Pump It Up (Here's the News)", "Let's Get It Started", "They Put Me in the Mix" (later remixed) and "Turn This Mutha Out".

In the song's lyrics, Hammer braggadociously stated that he is second to none, in comparison to other rappers: "And when it comes to straight up rockin’ / I’m second to none / from Doug E. Fresh to LL or DJ Run."

LL Cool J would later respond with "To da Break of Dawn", and revisit the rivalry years later with "I Shot Ya (remix)".