Friday night. The air is thick with anticipation, and then that distinctive, sliding bassline kicks in. You know the one. It’s slick. It’s heavy. It’s immediately recognizable. Before Montell Jordan even utters a word, the floor is full. This isn't just about nostalgia; it’s about a specific frequency of 1990s R&B that somehow never aged. When we talk about a Montell Jordan song, we are almost always talking about "This Is How We Do It," a track that didn't just top the charts—it redefined what a party record could sound like by marrying the grit of South Central street culture with a polished, radio-ready vocal.
Honestly, the song shouldn't have worked as well as it did. In 1995, the "New Jack Swing" era was cooling off, and the hip-hop soul movement was becoming increasingly gritty. Then comes this 6'8" guy from South Central Los Angeles, a church kid with a massive voice, singing over a Slick Rick sample. It was the first single ever released by Def Jam’s then-new R&B arm, Def Soul. There was a lot riding on it. If it flopped, the label's pivot into R&B might have stalled. Instead, it stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks.
The Slick Rick Sample That Changed Everything
You can't discuss this Montell Jordan song without giving credit to the skeleton it's built on. The track famously samples Slick Rick’s 1988 classic "Children's Story." But it’s more than just a loop. Producer Oji Pierce took that bouncy, slightly mischievous beat and smoothed it out for the club. It was a bridge. On one side, you had the hardcore hip-hop heads who respected the Slick Rick lineage. On the other, you had the R&B crowd who wanted something to dance to.
It was a brilliant bit of sonic engineering.
Most people don't realize that Montell was actually a songwriter first. He wasn't just a face put in front of a microphone. He understood how to structure a hook that stuck in your brain like glue. Think about the lyrics. They aren't particularly deep, but they are vivid. "South Central does it like nobody does." He’s name-checking 2nd Street, talking about the neighborhood, and bringing the "hood" to the suburbs in a way that felt celebratory rather than threatening. It was an invitation.
Beyond the Big Hit: The Montell Jordan Catalog
While "This Is How We Do It" is the undisputed heavyweight champion, focusing only on that track does a disservice to his actual range. Montell Jordan wasn't a one-hit wonder, even if the cultural gravity of his first hit suggests otherwise. He had a string of successes that proved he was a legitimate R&B powerhouse.
Take "Get It On Tonite." Released in 1999, it showed a much more mature, sultry side of his artistry. It’s a slow burn. It’s got that late-90s mid-tempo groove that dominated urban radio. Or look at "Let's Ride" featuring Master P and Silkk the Shocker. That was a huge moment. It showed Montell’s ability to pivot toward the "Dirty South" sound that was beginning to take over the industry at the turn of the millennium.
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- "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" – The follow-up to his debut, which kept the upbeat energy alive.
- "I Like" – A smooth, underrated jam that showcased his traditional R&B vocal runs.
- "Daddy's Home" – A cover of the Shep and the Limelites classic, proving he could handle doo-wop soul just as well as hip-hop beats.
He was prolific. He was writing for other artists too, including 98 Degrees and Sisqó. The guy was a factory of melodies.
The Pivot from Platinum to the Pulpit
The most fascinating part of the Montell Jordan song legacy isn't actually the music—it's the man's exit from the industry. At the height of a career where he was making millions and touring the world, he walked away. It wasn't because he lost his voice or his fans. It was a spiritual conviction.
In 2010, Montell Jordan transitioned into ministry.
This wasn't a PR stunt. He became a worship leader at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia. It’s a wild shift if you think about it. One year you're singing about "checking the mirror" and "getting your money right," and the next you're leading a congregation in gospel hymns. He didn't stop making music, though. He released "Shake Heaven" in 2011, a contemporary Christian album.
He often speaks in interviews about how "This Is How We Do It" was a "mask." He felt he had to play a character—the tall, suave ladies' man—when in reality, he was a family man and a person of deep faith. It’s a nuanced perspective that you don't often see in the "Where are they now?" segments of celebrity news. He acknowledges the song gave him his platform, but he doesn't let it define his current identity.
Why the Music Persists in the Streaming Era
Why does a Montell Jordan song from 1995 still show up in every wedding DJ’s setlist? Why does it appear in commercials for everything from insurance to soft drinks?
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It’s the "universal specific."
The song describes a very specific place (South Central LA) and a very specific time, but the feeling of "making it to the weekend" is universal. It appeals to the 45-year-old who remembers the 90s and the 19-year-old who just likes the beat. It’s become a piece of cultural shorthand for "the party has officially started."
Furthermore, the production was incredibly clean for its time. A lot of mid-90s tracks suffer from muddy mixing or dated synthesizer sounds. But because "This Is How We Do It" relied on a classic drum break and a real-feeling bassline, it doesn't sound "old" in a bad way. It sounds "classic."
The Technical Brilliance of the Vocals
Let’s be real: Montell Jordan can actually sing. In an era where "vibes" often trump technical skill, we forget that the 90s were the era of the vocalist. Montell has a massive range. He can do the gritty, rhythmic talk-singing required for a club banger, but he can also hit those high tenors that make you realize he grew up in the church.
Listen to the ad-libs at the end of his tracks. They aren't just filler. They are calculated, soulful runs that add layers of complexity to otherwise simple pop structures. He understood the "R" in R&B just as much as the "B."
Lessons from the Legacy of Montell Jordan
If you are an aspiring artist or just someone interested in the mechanics of pop culture, there is a lot to learn from how Montell Jordan navigated his career. It wasn't just luck.
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- Know your samples. He didn't just pick a random beat; he picked a beat that already had "cool equity" (Slick Rick) and re-contextualized it.
- Brand consistency matters. For a decade, if you saw a tall guy in a suit with a smooth voice, you knew exactly what you were getting.
- Identity is fluid. You don't have to be the person you were at 25 for the rest of your life. Transitioning into ministry was a "career killer" on paper, but for him, it was a life-saver.
The reality of the music business is that most hits disappear within six months. To have a song that survives three decades is a statistical anomaly. It requires a perfect storm of timing, talent, and a hook that refuses to leave the collective consciousness.
Putting the Music to Work
If you're looking to revisit the era or even introduce someone to it, don't just stop at the radio edits. Dig into the remixes. The "Puff Daddy Remix" of "This Is How We Do It" is a masterclass in Bad Boy-era production. It changes the energy entirely.
Also, check out his 2019 "Masterpeace" album. It’s a blend of his R&B roots and his spiritual foundation. It’s a great example of how an artist can grow up without losing the essence of what made them famous in the first place.
Next Steps for the R&B Fan:
- Listen to the "This Is How We Do It" 12-inch versions. They often contain instrumental tracks that highlight the incredible percussion work by Oji Pierce.
- Compare the Slick Rick original ("Children's Story") to Montell's version. Notice how the tempo shift and the bass EQ change the entire mood from a cautionary tale to a celebration.
- Watch the live performances from the 90s. Montell was a phenomenal live performer who didn't rely on backing tracks as much as his peers did, showing his true vocal prowess.
The story of the Montell Jordan song isn't just about a guy who had a big hit. It's about how a specific sound can define an era and then somehow outlive it. Whether you're at a backyard BBQ or a high-end gala, when that beat drops, everyone knows what to do. That is the definition of a legacy.
Actionable Insight: To truly appreciate the influence of Montell Jordan, create a playlist that starts with 1980s New Jack Swing (Teddy Riley), moves into "This Is How We Do It," and ends with the early 2000s Usher era. You will see the direct lineage of how the "Hip-Hop Soul" vocal style evolved through his influence.