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) |
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| Years active | 1991–present |
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Montell Du'Sean Jordan (born December 3, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is also a pastor and actor. Montell Jordan is most famous for his 1995 hit song "This Is How We Do It". He was a top male solo artist at Def Jam Records until 2003. Another well-known song of his is "Let's Ride" from 1998.
In 2010, Montell Jordan became a worship leader at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia.
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Early Life and Education
Montell Jordan was born in South Los Angeles to Elijah and Deloris Jordan. His family was Baptist, and he went to church often as a child. His parents helped lead the church. Montell played the piano for his church when he was growing up.
In the mid-1980s, Montell went to Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California. He also attended Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. There, he earned a degree in communications in 1991. While at college, he joined a club called Kappa Alpha Psi in 1989.
After college, Jordan worked for a company that made TV commercials. He wanted to start his music career. So, he invited his co-workers to watch him perform at a show. Famous musicians Janet Jackson and Shanice Wilson were at the show. After this, he made a collection of his songs. He then went to New York and signed with Def Jam Records in 1995. He was one of the first R&B artists to join the label.
Music Career Highlights
Montell Jordan's first song was the 1995 hit "This Is How We Do It". This song used a sample from an older Def Jam song called "Children's Story". Jordan said the song showed what growing up in his neighborhood was like. The song became number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It stayed there for seven weeks! Because of this song's huge success, Jordan's first album sold over a million copies.
In 1996, Jordan was performing before Boyz II Men in Vancouver. During the show, a stage light made him dizzy. He fell off the stage, which was seven feet high, and hit his head. Even though he went to the hospital, he was not hurt. Jordan later called this event a "modern-day miracle." He said he owed his life to Boyz II Men.
After "This Is How We Do It," Jordan released "Somethin' 4 da Honeyz." This song reached number 21 on the charts. Other popular songs included "Let's Ride" with Master P and Silkk the Shocker. He also had a hit with "I Like." In 1999, his song "Get It On Tonite" reached number 4.
Montell Jordan also wrote and produced music for other artists. These artists include Christina Milian, 98 Degrees, and Sisqó. He helped write Sisqó's number-one hit "Incomplete" in 2000.
Jordan also appeared in movies. He had a funny role in The Fighting Temptations (2003). He played Mr. Johnson, a tough person who was shy about his high voice. He also had a small role in The Nutty Professor. In 2000, his song "Unstoppable" was in the video game NBA Live 2001. He 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. He felt the label wanted him to keep the same image. So, Jordan signed with Koch Records. That 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 halftime shows for sports games. He also sang it on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
In 2019, Jordan said 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 also performed the song on Tamron Hall's talk show in November 2019. He talked about his new album, The Masterpiece, which came out on November 29.
In 2022, Jordan was on The Masked Singer as "Panther." He sang the show's version of "This Is How We Do It."
Ministry Work
Montell Jordan is now a born-again Christian. He attends Victory World Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He sings with the church's music team, Victory World Music. In 2010, Jordan planned to make a new music album. But during a spiritual fast at his church, he felt God told him to leave the music industry. He decided to stop his music plans and focus on his faith.
Jordan started a music group at Victory World Church called "Victory World Music." In early 2011, they released a Christian album. It included the song "Shake Heaven."
Montell Jordan and his wife, Kristin Jordan, started Master Peace Church. This is an online church that helps people grow in their faith. It also helps strengthen marriages. From 2022 to 2024, they held online services every Sunday. Now, the Jordans are focusing on their other work, Marriage Masterpeace. This helps couples and families 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 was on the TV show Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. He had to leave the show early because of a health issue.
Music 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)
Film and TV Appearances
- 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
