Jordan attended Pepperdine University in California to pick up a bachelor's degree in communications, graduating summa cum laude and was a state finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Jordan's first single was the 1995 #1 hit single "This Is How We Do It", and defined his hip hop soul musical style. "This Is How We Do It" and its follow-up, "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz", show a strong hip hop influence, and Jordan's material fit alongside the rest of Def Jam's output. Future hits would include "Let's Ride" with Master P in 1998 and "Get It on Tonite" in late-1999.
Besides crafting his own material, Jordan has written and produced for a number of outside artists, including Christina Milian, 98 Degrees, Deborah Cox ("Nobody's Supposed to Be Here", 1998), and Sisqó (the number-one hit "Incomplete", 2000). The singer has had cameo roles in the films "The Fighting Temptations" and "The Nutty Professor."
Jordan left Def Soul in 2003 and released the album "Life After Def" on Koch Records.
Jordan released his 7th project - "Let It Rain" - on October 21, 2008.
In 2010, Jordan left the music business to become a minister. As he explained on his Twitter feed, the decision is "a calling that’s probably been with me all my life since I was a child. And I’ve known it. A lot of people in the business know it and have the same calling but that leap of faith is difficult."
MJ Anthem
Montell Jordan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro]
Yeah
Number five y'all
I'm almost a veteran, heh
Don't think I've ever seen you so good lookin'
Got a lot of gold and platinum plaques like this
But I had it up to here, so I'm R&B, bangin' on wax like this
In case you forgot, five times on the streets, I been keepin' it hot
Got your shorty on the block singin' da-da-da-da
And I coulda held back, but will I do that?
Probably not
See I represent Cali and it be's like that
And I'll probably get sampled cuz the track's so phat
The music in the street's gotten out of control
You can't keep a deal unless you're platinum or gold
That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more
Mr. Nice Guy come to even the score
And I'm not holdin' my tongue
Girl you know my name and you know where I'm from
[1]
All y'all fakers, Def Jam haters
R&B, South Central, Westside players
To all my homies that's sittin' on dubs
With your girl in your ride, turn this on up
All y'all fakers, Def Jam haters
R&B, South Central, Westside players
To all my homies on blades and dubs
With your girl in your ride, turn it up, turn it up
The year's 2001, I'm still flowin' on tracks like this
Got a few more gold and platinum plaques like this
I've had it up to here, so I'm R&B, bangin' on wax to this
In case you forgot, the word on the street is I'm keepin' it hot
Everybody on your block singin' da-da-da-da
But I still can't believe after five LP's they could sleep on me
But singers with no skills, singers with no shoes
Singers in bathtubs, is that how you pay due?
The music in the street's gotten out of control
Sell some records then you're out the back door
It's all I can stands, I can't stands no more
Mr. Nice Guy come to even the score
My man Focus blaze the track
And I wrote it, I sang it, I live it, believe dat
[Repeat 1]
La la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
La la la, la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
[W.C.]
What's crackalatin? (Ladies, Southside bobbin bobberlers)
Cristal, Dom P, and Hennessy gobblers
It's the ruggedest, thuggist hoppin out the six hundred
Holdin ya ears ransom bangin Montell's Anthem, nia
Back fo' mo', wit anotha platinum fo' sho'
Y'all just video ballin, we've been stackin doe -
Packin dance floors gettin busy
The originals, Montell and Dub-C
From tha home of the sticky-icky
[Repeat 1]
The MJ Anthem by Montell Jordan featuring W.C. is a song that emphasizes on Montell's longevity in the industry and his ability to deliver great music. The lyrics reveal his frustrations with the music industry, particularly the fact that artists are judged by the number of records they have sold. The track is packed with witty punchlines, and he takes a swipe at current artists claiming that they have no skills in songwriting or singing. Montell uses the song to show that he is still relevant in the industry after five LPs and continues to keep it hot in the streets. He stays true to the R&B style, which is a mash-up of classic R&B and hip-hop, and he successfully combines both genres to create a vibe that is uniquely his.
The song is a call to all his supporters, players, and haters to turn up the volume and ride to his unique and timeless sound. Additionally, it should be noted that W.C.'s verse tells a different story as he represents the west coast and 'stick-ichy' vibes from his hometown. His verse clarifies the song's larger scope, which is to speak for the artists that make good music despite not being the most popular ones out there.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
The start of the song filled with confidence and enthusiasm
Number five y'all
Montell Jordan has performed and produced five albums so far
I'm almost a veteran, heh
Montell Jordan is an experienced artist with significant experience in the music industry
Don't think I've ever seen you so good lookin'
Montell Jordan is complimenting the audience and fans
Since 1995, I've been flowin' on tracks like this
Montell Jordan has been making music for over 15 years
Got a lot of gold and platinum plaques like this
Montell Jordan has had great commercial success selling many albums and winning awards
But I had it up to here, so I'm R&B, bangin' on wax like this
Montell Jordan changed his approach to his latest music to reflect his own personal interests and style
In case you forgot, five times on the streets, I been keepin' it hot
Montell Jordan has been consistently popular and successful with his music over five albums
Got your shorty on the block singin' da-da-da-da
Montell Jordan's music is popular with younger listeners and is often heard on the block
And I coulda held back, but will I do that?
Montell Jordan feels confident that he is making the right decision with his music
Probably not
Montell Jordan will not hold back on his message or music
See I represent Cali and it be's like that
Montell Jordan is proud of his Californian roots and feels his music reflects that
And I'll probably get sampled cuz the track's so phat
Montell Jordan's music is very popular and often gets sampled by other artists
The music in the street's gotten out of control
Montell Jordan feels that the music industry has become too focused on commercial success and fame
You can't keep a deal unless you're platinum or gold
Record labels are only interested in acts that can sell many albums and win awards
That's all I can stands, I can't stands no more
Montell Jordan is ready to stand up for what he believes in and change the music industry
Mr. Nice Guy come to even the score
Montell Jordan is about to challenge the music industry and set things straight
And I'm not holdin' my tongue
Montell Jordan intends to speak his mind and express his true feelings in his music
Girl you know my name and you know where I'm from
Montell Jordan is well known and proud of his origins
All y'all fakers, Def Jam haters
Montell Jordan calls out those who are fake and do not support him or his label
R&B, South Central, Westside players
Montell Jordan represents a particular culture and community that is reflected in his music
To all my homies that's sittin' on dubs
Montell Jordan is addressing his close friends and supporters who are successful and living the good life
With your girl in your ride, turn this on up
Montell Jordan's music is perfect for cruising around with a significant other
The year's 2001, I'm still flowin' on tracks like this
Montell Jordan is staying current and relevant with his music
Got a few more gold and platinum plaques like this
Montell Jordan continues to be successful in the music industry and win awards
Everybody on your block singin' da-da-da-da
Montell Jordan's music is popular with many people and is often sung by everyone in the neighborhood
But I still can't believe after five LP's they could sleep on me
Montell Jordan is surprised that some people are not recognizing his talent and hard work despite his many albums
But singers with no skills, singers with no shoes
Montell Jordan is criticizing other singers who lack talent and are not authentic
Singers in bathtubs, is that how you pay due?
Montell Jordan is questioning the authenticity and credibility of some singers who produce music without putting in the necessary work
Sell some records then you're out the back door
Record labels only focus on commercial success and are not interested in developing true talent
My man Focus blaze the track
Montell Jordan is giving credit to his collaborator Focus for producing an excellent track
And I wrote it, I sang it, I live it, believe dat
Montell Jordan is proud of his music and the message behind it
Ladies, Southside bobbin bobberlers
W.C. is addressing the female fans and giving a shout-out to the Southside
Cristal, Dom P, and Hennessy gobblers
W.C. is referring to the luxurious lifestyle that some of his fans and listeners lead
It's the ruggedest, thuggist hoppin out the six hundred
W.C. is describing his rough and tough persona and style as he exits his luxury car
Holdin ya ears ransom bangin Montell's Anthem, nia
W.C. (and possibly Montell Jordan) is making a bold statement with the powerful and impactful music
Back fo' mo', wit anotha platinum fo' sho'
W.C. (and Montell Jordan) are confident in their continued success in the music industry
Y'all just video ballin, we've been stackin doe -
W.C. (and Montell Jordan) are suggesting that other artists may not be as successful as they appear in their music videos
Packin dance floors gettin busy
W.C. and Montell Jordan are proud of their ability to get the party started and keep the dance floors packed
The originals, Montell and Dub-C
W.C. is referring to himself and Montell Jordan as the original and authentic artists in the music industry
From tha home of the sticky-icky
W.C. is making a reference to their hometown, which is known for producing high-quality marijuana
La la la, la la la la la la la
A chorus that repeats the melody and creates a catchy hook for the song
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
A chorus that repeats the melody and creates a catchy hook for the song
La la la, la la la la la la la
A chorus that repeats the melody and creates a catchy hook for the song
La la la la la la la, la la la la la la la
A chorus that repeats the melody and creates a catchy hook for the song
Contributed by Dylan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.