The Billboard Top Ten songs chart for 1995 contains the following names: Coolio, TLC, Seal, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Madonna and a man named Montell Jordan. This Is How We Do It was a breakout new jack-swing song that topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks and R&B charts for eight. Jordan, tall and handsome with a silky-smooth voice, established himself as a powerful presence in music, brimming with talent, savvy and charm. Over his nearly twenty year career in music, Jordan has released seven studio albums, fourteen singles, and is a Grammy nominated artist selling more than 10 million records worldwide.
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Montell always knew he was destined for something big. As a kid, Montell wasn’t blessed with the athletic gene, but he was born with music in his soul. As a student at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, his main focus at the time was law school. A current professor of his made a statement at the time that would change the course of his life for the next two decades. When the professor mentioned that one of his biggest regrets in life was missing the chance to pursue music, Montell immediately recognized that if he was ever going to take a shot in this field now was the time. He put together a demo which eventually landed in the hands of Def Jam Records and Russell Simmons.
When he first started out, Montell’s style was undefined, as he borrowed from the musical qualities of Michael Jackson, Prince, Lionel Richie, and the like. Knowing he had to develop his own style—to sound like somebody who didn’t exist yet—Montell started sampling blues records, singing melodies, and writing rap lyrics in a “straight-outta Los Angeles” way, eventually combining these features with his earlier influences to create the sound that would define him. Little did he know, but he would come to be the pioneer of the type of combined Rap/R&B ballads heavily taking over the charts today and influencing artists such as Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Trey Songz and many more.
1995, proved to be a successful year with chart topping singles including This Is How We Do It, Somethin 4 Da Honeyz, I Like and Let’s Ride featuring Master P and Silkk the Shocker. In the same year, Jordan’s hit single Get It On Tonite peaked at #4. Not only was he gifted vocally, but as a producer and writer penning tracks for other notable artists including Deborah Cox’s 1998 #2 Billboard single Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here, Sisqo’s 2000 #1 hit Incomplete and many more. From touring with Boyz II Men and eventually headlining his own tour, Jordan found himself on a roller coaster of highs as well as lows that accompanied his growing stardom.
A jack of all trades, Jordan has also graced the big screen introducing his acting chops in various projects. The singer had a comedic supporting role in the film The Fighting Temptations as Mr. Johnson, an aggressive convict who is self-conscious about his high-pitched voice. He made a cameo appearance in The Nutty Professor, and he performed in the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Montell most recently played the role of Brian Mullenax in the 2015 motion picture The List.
Following years of awards, achievements and accolades that never seemed to satisfy, Montell learned that without music he’s a husband, a dad and a friend. Jordan decided to step away from the music business in 2010 putting a focus on his marriage to his wife Kristin, whom he has been married to for over twenty years, and pursuing an original childhood familiar. Montell began to realize the difference between gifting and calling. He was gifted to do music, but he was called to minister. Speaking, teaching, mentoring, counseling and writing are some of the many ways Jordan is fulfilling his purpose in ministry today.
In his musical past, Montell had already shown an ability to stretch boundaries of genre and style and uses this same ability to influence, impact and inspire today. He is diversifying his life’s portfolio as he is now also an author. On June 16, 2016 Jordan released his highly anticipated book Becoming Unfamous which details the trials and tribulation of his career penning advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps as well give positive direction for their own life path. Montell and his wife Kristin also will release a marriage book entitled The Is How We Do It; Making Your Marriage a Masterpeace.
Present day, Montell continues to perform his hit songs. As a family man, he loves traveling, vacationing and spending time with his wife and children. When he’s not at the church or in the studio, you can find Jordan fishing, bowling, trying new restaurants and just enjoying his life. Montell is currently planning to release new music. This time rather than sing about lustfilled adventures, his tracks will surround genuine love and relationships. To keep up with everything Montell and new releases visit his website at www.montell-jordan.com
