Montell Du’Sean Barnett Jordan commonly known as Montell Jordan is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and pastor, best known for his 1995 hit single “This Is How We Do It,” a defining anthem of the new jack swing era.

After a successful music career, he transitioned to ministry, serving as a worship leader and executive pastor, while continuing to influence through music and motivational speaking.

Early Life and Education

Montell Jordan was born on December 3, 1968, in South Central Los Angeles, California, to Elijah Jordan, an accountant, and Deloris Jordan, a business administrator.

Raised in a middle-class Baptist family with two sisters, Jennifer and Tracy, he was immersed in church life, where his parents served as deacons.

He began playing piano at age 10 and singing at 11, performing in the church choir.

Growing up in a financially strained household with four children, he worked in the cafeteria at private schools to help make ends meet, limiting his athletic pursuits despite his height.

Jordan attended Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California, graduating in 1986.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communications from Pepperdine University in Malibu in 1991, joining the Omega Epsilon Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 1989.

After graduation, he worked at Williams Television Time, producing TV infomercials, while pursuing music.

Career

Montell Jordan’s music career began with a performance at a showcase attended by Janet Jackson and Shanice Wilson, leading to a mixtape and a deal with Def Jam’s Def Soul imprint through Russell Simmons.

His debut album, This Is How We Do It (1995), went platinum, with the title track topping the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks and the R&B chart for eight, selling over a million copies.

Follow-up albums included More… (1996) with hits “Somethin’ 4 da Honeyz” (#21) and “I Like,” and Let’s Ride (1998) featuring “Let’s Ride” with Master P and Silkk the Shocker.

His fourth album, Get It On…Tonite (1999), included the #4 hit “Get It On Tonite,” selling 800,000 copies.

He wrote and produced for artists like Christina Milian, 98 Degrees, Deborah Cox (“Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”), and Sisqó (“Incomplete”).

After leaving Def Soul in 2003 due to creative differences, he released Life After Def (2003) with KOCH Records and later independent albums like Let It Rain (2008).

In 2010, he transitioned to ministry, becoming a worship leader at Victory World Church (now Victory Church) in Norcross, Georgia, and released a Christian album, Shake Heaven (2011), with Beckah Shae.

He retired from secular music after a spiritual calling but performed “This Is How We Do It” at the 2018 Streamy Awards and competed on The Masked Singer (2022) as Panther, and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (2023), exiting early due to a medical issue.

Awards and Nominations

American Music Award (1995): Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist

BET Award (1995): Best Male R&B Artist

ASCAP R&B Soul Award (1998)

Nominated – Grammy Award (1995): Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “This Is How We Do It”

Nominated – Billboard Music Video Award (1995): Best New Artist

Nominated – Soul Train Music Award (1995): Best R&B/Soul Single, Male for “This Is How We Do It”

Personal Life

Montell Jordan was deeply influenced by his Baptist upbringing and church music. He met Kristin Hudson at Pepperdine University, and they married in June 1994.

They have five children—Sydney, Skyler, Chris, Tracy, and Samantha—and one grandchild, Cruz Wallace.

The couple faced challenges in the music industry, with early pressures to hide their marriage, leading to infidelity, but they reconciled and co-authored This Is How We Do It! Making Your Marriage a Masterpeace (2017).

They provide marriage counseling and speak on faith and relationships.

In 1996, Jordan fell off a seven-foot stage in Vancouver while opening for Boyz II Men, sustaining no major injuries, which he called a “modern-day miracle.”

A born-again Christian, he left secular music in 2010 to serve as an executive pastor at Victory Church in Atlanta, focusing on faith and family.

He supports Special Olympics and St. Jude, enjoys piano, and resides in Atlanta.

Discography

This Is How We Do It (1995) – Platinum

More… (1996)

Let’s Ride (1998)

Get It On…Tonite (1999)

Montell Jordan (2002)

Life After Def (2003)

Let It Rain (2008)

Shake Heaven (2011)

Key Singles

“This Is How We Do It” (1995) – #1 Billboard Hot 100

“Somethin’ 4 da Honeyz” (1995) – #21

“I Like” (1996)

“Let’s Ride” (1998)

“Get It On Tonite” (1999) – #4

Filmography

The Nutty Professor (1996) – Cameo

Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) – Himself

The Fighting Temptations (2003) – Mr. Johnson

The Masked Singer (2022) – Contestant (Panther)

Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test (2023) – Contestant

Net Worth

Montell Jordan’s net worth is estimated between $500,000 and $15 million USD, with significant variation across sources.

His wealth primarily comes from music sales (over 10 million records sold), production work for artists like Sisqó and Deborah Cox, and appearances in films and TV.

His transition to ministry and leadership at Victory Church, a wealthy organization, may contribute indirectly.