Montell Jordan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Montell Jordan |
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Jordan in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Montell Du'Sean Jordan |
| Born | December 3, 1968 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | Pepperdine University (BS) |
| Spouse(s) |
Kristin Jordan
(m. 1994) |
| Genres | |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Montell Du'Sean Jordan (born December 3, 1968) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known for his 1995 hit song "This Is How We Do It". He also had other popular songs like "Get It On Tonite" and "Let's Ride". Montell Jordan was the main male solo artist on the Def Soul record label, which was part of Def Jam Recordings, until he left in 2003.
In 2010, Jordan started working as a worship leader at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Montell Jordan was born in South Central Los Angeles. His parents, Elijah and Delois Jordan, were deacons in their Baptist church. Montell often went to church as a child. He played the piano for his church as a musician while growing up.
In the mid-1980s, he went to Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California. He then attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in communications. He joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 1989 and graduated in 1991.
After college, Jordan worked for a company that made TV infomercials. He wanted to start his music career. So, he invited his coworkers to watch him perform at a show. Famous musicians Janet Jackson and Shanice Wilson were there. After this, he made his first music mix-tape. He then traveled to New York with producer Russell Simmons from Def Jam Records. He signed with Def Jam in 1995. He was the second R&B artist to join the label.
Music Career Highlights
Jordan's first song, "This Is How We Do It", became a number one hit in 1995. The song used a sample from Slick Rick's earlier Def Jam song "Children's Story". Jordan said the song showed what growing up in his neighborhood was like. This single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It stayed there for seven weeks in a row. Because the song was so popular, Jordan's first album sold over a million copies. This made it a platinum album.
In 1996, Jordan was performing before Boyz II Men in Vancouver. During the show, a stage light caused him to lose his balance. He fell off the seven-foot stage and hit his head. He was taken to the hospital but was not hurt. Jordan later called this event a "modern-day miracle." He said he owed his life to Boyz II Men.
Jordan continued his success with "Somethin' 4 da Honeyz", which reached number 21 on the charts. Other popular songs included "Let's Ride" and "I Like". He also helped write and produce songs for other artists. These artists included Christina Milian, 98 Degrees, and Sisqó. His song "Get It On Tonite" reached number 4 in 1999.
Jordan also appeared in movies. He had a funny role in the film The Fighting Temptations. He also made a short appearance in The Nutty Professor. In 2000, his song "Unstoppable" was in the video game NBA Live 2001. He also sang "Careless Whisper" with musician Dave Koz at the Miss Universe 2000 pageant.
In 2003, Jordan left Def Soul records. He said he wanted to make different kinds of music. Jordan wanted to change his image as an artist. He had been married to Kristin Hudson even before signing with Def Soul. But the label wanted to keep his image as a popular R&B artist. So, Jordan left Def Soul and signed with Koch Records. That same year, he released the album Life After Def. His last album was Let It Rain in 2008.
In 2015 and 2016, Jordan performed "This Is How We Do It" at sports games. He also sang it on The Late Late Show with James Corden. In 2019, he announced he had recorded his first R&B album in over ten years. He planned to release it that year.
On May 19, 2019, Jordan sang "This Is How We Do It" on the finale of American Idol. He was a guest on Tamron Hall's talk show on November 19, 2019. He performed "This Is How We Do It" again. He also talked about his album, The Masterpiece, which was released on November 29, 2019.
In 2022, Jordan was a contestant on The Masked Singer as "Panther". He was eliminated on "Vegas Night".
Ministry Career
Montell Jordan is now a born-again Christian. He used to work at Victory Church in Norcross, Georgia. He was the executive worship pastor there. He lived and worshiped with the church's music team, Victory World Music.
In 2010, Jordan planned to release a new music album. But during a fast at Victory Church, he felt God told him to leave the music industry. He decided to cancel his album plans. He chose to dedicate his life to his faith instead.
Jordan started a music group at Victory Church called "Victory World Music." In early 2011, they released a Christian album. It included the song "Shake Heaven."
After leaving Victory Church, Montell and his wife Kristin Jordan started Master Peace Church. This is an online church that helps people grow spiritually. They also focus on helping marriages. They offer online services and resources to people all over the world. The Jordans are now focusing on their other ministry, Marriage Masterpeace, and their Retreat Center. These efforts help strengthen family bonds and support marriages through spiritual guidance.
Personal Life
Montell Jordan married his wife, Kristin, in 1994. They have five children and four grandchildren. In 2017, Montell and Kristin wrote their first book together. It is called This Is How We Do It! Making Your Marriage A Masterpeace.
In 2023, Jordan appeared on the TV show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. He left the show in the second episode because of a health issue.
Discography
- Studio albums
- This Is How We Do It (1995)
- More… (1996)
- Let's Ride (1998)
- Get It On…Tonite (1999)
- Montell Jordan (2002)
- Life After Def (2003)
- Let It Rain (2008)
- Masterpeace (2019)
Filmography
- The Nutty Professor (1996) as Himself
- The Fighting Temptations (2003) as Mr. Johnson
- The List (2015)
- The Masked Singer (2022) as Himself / Panther (season 8 contestant)
- Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023) as Himself
See also
In Spanish: Montell Jordan para niños
