You know the beat. That thick, groovy bassline kicks in, a crowd cheers in the background, and suddenly everyone in the room—from your youngest cousin to your grandpa—is nodding their head. It’s one of those rare tracks that feels like it’s just part of the atmosphere now. But if you’ve ever found yourself shouting the lyrics at a wedding or a backyard BBQ and wondered who sung This Is How We Do It, the answer is a tall, incredibly smooth R&B singer named Montell Jordan.
Released in early 1995, the song didn’t just climb the charts; it basically built a permanent home at the top of them. It stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. Think about that for a second. In an era where the airwaves were dominated by grunge leftovers, Gangsta Rap, and massive pop ballads, a New Jack Swing-infused party anthem took over the world. Montell Jordan wasn't just another face in the crowd. He was 6'8", he had a voice that could slide from a gritty growl to a silky falsetto, and he had a secret weapon: a Slick Rick sample.
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The Man Behind the Microphone: Montell Jordan
Honestly, Montell Jordan was an unlikely superstar for the mid-90s. While many of his peers were trying to out-tough each other, Jordan brought this weirdly charming, observational vibe to R&B. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, but he wasn't interested in the typical "gangsta" tropes of the time. Instead, he wanted to document what a Friday night actually felt like for people just trying to have a good time.
Before he was the guy who sung This Is How We Do It, he was a student at Pepperdine University. He graduated with an honors degree in communications. That matters because you can hear his knack for storytelling in the lyrics. He isn’t just singing random lines; he’s painting a picture of 1990s L.A. culture. The song was the lead single for his debut album of the same name, released under the legendary Def Jam label. In fact, Jordan was the first R&B artist signed to Def Jam, which was almost exclusively a hip-hop house at the time. This was a massive gamble for Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen, but it paid off in ways they probably didn't even imagine in their wildest dreams.
That Iconic Slick Rick Sample
If the song sounds familiar even if you’ve never heard the lyrics, it’s because of the beat. The track heavily samples Slick Rick’s 1988 classic "Children's Story." Specifically, it uses that infectious, plodding bassline and the piano lick.
Produced by Oji Pierce, the track managed to bridge the gap between hip-hop's edge and R&B's melody. It was the perfect "crossover" record. You could play it in a gritty club in Brooklyn or a suburban house party in Ohio, and the reaction was identical. People just move to it. It’s physiological.
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Why the Song Hit Different in 1995
In 1995, music was in a bit of a transition phase. We were moving away from the "New Jack Swing" era of Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe and heading toward the smoother, more polished "Hip-Hop Soul" of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. Who sung This Is How We Do It became the defining question of the year because Montell Jordan landed right in the middle of that shift.
The lyrics are essentially a checklist of a perfect night:
- Checking the money (all "forty" of it, which is hilariously modest by today’s rap standards).
- Getting the car ready.
- Hitting the "Lower Left" (South Central).
- Checking the vibe at the party.
It was aspirational but grounded. It wasn't about private jets; it was about having enough gas in the car and a clean shirt. That relatability is why it stuck. Plus, the line "designated driver take the keys to my truck" was actually one of the first times a major pop hit promoted responsible partying. It’s kinda funny when you think about it—a massive club banger doubling as a public service announcement.
The Misconceptions About Montell's Career
A lot of people peg Montell Jordan as a one-hit wonder. That’s actually a huge mistake. While nothing ever quite matched the cultural explosion of his debut, the guy had a serious run. He gave us "Get It On Tonite," which was a massive hit in 1999, and he wrote hits for other people, too. Did you know he co-wrote "You Gotta Be" for Deborah Cox? Or that he worked with Sisqó?
He was a powerhouse behind the scenes. Eventually, though, the fame started to wear on him. In 2010, Montell famously walked away from the secular music industry. He’s now a worship leader and pastor at Victory World Church in Norcross, Georgia. He hasn't "retired" from music—he just changed the focus. He still performs "This Is How We Do It" at special events and halftime shows because he recognizes the joy it brings people. He’s totally at peace with being the man who sung This Is How We Do It, which is pretty rare for artists who had one song eclipse the rest of their catalog.
The Anatomy of a Timeless Party Track
What makes this song work thirty years later? It’s the "call and response." When he sings "This is how we do it," the audience instinctively knows their part. It creates an immediate sense of community.
Musically, the song is also quite simple. It’s repetitive in the best way possible. It locks into a groove and stays there. There are no jarring bridge transitions or over-the-top vocal runs. Jordan keeps it "laid back," much like the West Coast culture he was representing.
Influence on Modern Pop
You can see the DNA of this track in artists like Bruno Mars or Anderson .Paak today. That blend of "retro-cool" with modern production started right here. When you look at who sung This Is How We Do It, you’re looking at the blueprint for the modern "party starter" genre. It proved that R&B didn’t always have to be about heartbreak or slow-jamming in the bedroom; it could be loud, communal, and rhythmic.
The song has been featured in countless movies, from How High to Ali G Indahouse, and dozens of commercials. It’s become a shorthand for "the party has started." Even if you weren't alive in '95, you know the hook. It’s baked into the collective consciousness.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
There’s a line in the song that people constantly mishear: "I'm kind of buzzed and it's all because / This is how we do it." People often think he's talking about something else, but he’s really just capturing that specific feeling of a house party where the energy is just right.
Another detail often overlooked is his shout-out to his neighborhood. He mentions "the 2-1-3" (the L.A. area code) and "the West Side." It was a proud L.A. record at a time when the East Coast/West Coast rivalry was starting to heat up. Yet, somehow, this song remained neutral territory. Everyone loved it.
How to Use This Knowledge Today
If you’re a DJ, a music lover, or just someone who likes winning trivia night, knowing the story behind Montell Jordan is a great card to have in your pocket.
- Check out the remix: If you only know the radio version, find the "Studio Ton" remix. It’s got a totally different vibe and shows off Jordan’s versatility.
- Listen to "Children's Story" by Slick Rick: To truly appreciate what Montell did, you have to hear the source material. It puts the production into perspective.
- Watch the music video: It’s a time capsule of 90s fashion—oversized jerseys, baggy jeans, and that specific L.A. sunlight.
Montell Jordan’s legacy isn’t just a single song; it’s the fact that he created a moment in time that hasn't ended. Whenever that beat drops, it’s 1995 all over again.
To really appreciate the impact of the artist who sung This Is How We Do It, take a moment to listen to the full This Is How We Do It album. It’s a masterclass in mid-90s R&B production. Beyond the hits, tracks like "Somethin' 4 Da Honeyz" offer a deeper look into the sound that defined a generation. If you're building a 90s throwback playlist, don't stop at the title track—explore the B-sides to get the full picture of Jordan's vocal range and his influence on the "New Jack Swing" sunset.
Practical Next Steps:
- Deepen your playlist: Add "Get It On Tonite" and "I Like" to your rotation to hear how Montell's sound evolved toward the end of the 90s.
- Study the sample: Listen to "Children's Story" by Slick Rick back-to-back with the Montell track to understand how 90s producers reimagined 80s hip-hop for a pop audience.
- Follow the legacy: Check out Montell Jordan’s more recent gospel work to see how a legendary R&B voice adapts to a completely different genre while keeping that signature soul.