Summary of "Montell Jordan on the Shocking Truth Behind This Is How We Do It & Life After Fame! | We Sound Crazy"

In this engaging and heartfelt episode of We Sound Crazy, Montell Jordan opens up about his iconic career, the making of his timeless hit "This Is How We Do It," and his transformative journey from fame to faith. The conversation is rich with behind-the-scenes stories, music industry insights, and personal revelations that highlight Montell’s depth as an artist and human being.

Key Highlights & Stories:

Early Musical Roots: Montell shares how growing up as a church musician in Los Angeles shaped his musical foundation. Learning to play by ear in the church gave him not only technical skills but also a soulful connection to music and performance, something he feels is missing in today’s music scene.
The Birth of His Signature Sound: He explains how his unique blend of rap and R&B emerged from trying to stand out among artists like Aaron Hall and R. Kelly. Montell’s “singy rap” style and incorporation of storytelling with melodic hooks helped bridge rap and R&B on radio, paving the way for collaborations between the two genres.
“This Is How We Do It” Creation: Montell reveals his vision behind the song, inspired by party anthems like Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” To capture authentic party atmosphere, he recorded real people laughing and chanting “This Is How We Do It” around a mic with drinks flowing—giving the track its unmistakable live vibe. He knew it was a hit but aimed to turn it into a lasting classic, which it has become, still filling dance floors worldwide 30 years later.
Music Business Lessons: Reflecting on his early career, Montell stresses the importance of understanding the business side, keeping publishing rights, and having trustworthy legal representation. He candidly admits to mistakes he made trusting people and losing control over parts of his music and finances.
Songwriting & Collaborations: Montell discusses co-writing hits like Deborah Cox’s “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here,” originally intended for other artists like Patty LaBelle, who passed on it. He touches on the bittersweet realities of songwriting credits and industry politics, especially with songs like “Same Script, Different Cast” performed by Deborah Cox and Whitney Houston.
Life Beyond Music & Faith: Montell shares a deeply personal journey of losing his identity to fame and music, experiencing hardship including a house fire and losing a child, and ultimately finding his true self through faith. He became a worship pastor and embraced ministry full-time, learning that “what I do doesn’t define who I am, who I am defines what I do.” His return to music is now integrated with his faith—no compartmentalizing, just one authentic Montell.
Cancer Battle & Trust in God: Montell reveals his 2024 battle with cancer and how it strengthened his trust in God, distinguishing trust from faith. He encourages those with shaky faith to “keep living” and build trust through life’s trials.
Fun Set Stories & Tributes: He reminisces about filming The Fighting Temptations with a star-studded cast including a young Beyoncé, Cuba Gooding Jr., and the late Angie Stone, sharing touching memories of Angie’s faith and friendship. Montell also jokes about dominating Eddie Levert in video games on set.
Industry Recognition & Legacy: Montell celebrates the longevity of his music, including the recent sampling of “This Is How We Do It” by Drake, which helped him finally recoup royalties after nearly three decades. He looks forward to new creative projects, including a documentary and fresh music, emphasizing he’s not done yet.
We Sound Crazy’s Black Excellence Award: Montell joins hosts in honoring unsung heroes like Shep Crawford and Eddie Levert for their monumental contributions to music.

Jokes & Light Moments:

Montell’s playful “We Sound Crazy” catchphrase and humorous self-awareness about his “goofy” artist persona versus the “cool” R&B image the label wanted.
The funny story about Madonna jokingly asking “Don’t I own you?” after Montell’s hit knocked her song off the charts.
Montell teasing about his method acting on the Fighting Temptations set and trying not to laugh at Cuba Gooding Jr.’s antics.
His candid, lighthearted admission of whooping Eddie Levert in video games daily.

Personalities Featured:

Montell Jordan – Grammy-winning artist, songwriter, producer, pastor
Shep Crawford – Producer and songwriting partner
Deborah Cox – Singer of “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here”
Hosts of We Sound Crazy – Billionaire, Claude Kelly, Chuck Harmony, Bacon for Making
Mentions of other artists: Patty LaBelle, Whitney Houston, Angie Stone, Beyoncé, Cuba Gooding Jr., Eddie Levert, Drake, Madonna