[THE MONTELL JORDAN INTERVIEW]

AND A ANOTHER ONE...
HERE IS OUR 4TH INTERVIEW, THIS ONE IS WITH MONTELL JORDAN! CHECK IT OUT!

What's good Montell? First off, we would definitely like to thank you for doing this interview!

Okay…this first question we begin all of our interviews with. Most people see the title of our site and wonder what's the deal with it. Well, I came to a point one day where I realized that music is my addiction. [laughs] I know that sounds crazy but, it's like you always want the newest and best music and there is rarely a moment where music is not involved in what we are doing. So, my question is, would you consider music an addiction for you? && why or why not?

Music is no longer an addiction for me, but now is a choice. It took me many years to understand and value the importance of my wife and children and my world outside of music. My LIFE outside music! Once I recognized that I can exist without music, music no longer defines who I am... But I now define what music is.


Now, a lot of people remember you from back in the day. But what would you tell a person that has no idea of who you are…are perfect stranger. How would you describe or define yourself to that person?

I would describe myself as a storyteller. I am a songwriter, singer, producer, hit maker, arranger and music fan. Outside of that, I am a husband, father, lover, friend and lover of God.


Growing up as well as up to now, what artists inspire[d] you and what made [makes] their music stand out to you?

Many of my favorites are Stevie Wonder, Prince, Luther Vandross and Michael Jackson. It would be impossible to not be influenced by these artists in some way... But my nontraditional REAL answer includes Alexander O'Neal, Morris Day and the Time, Howard Hewitt, Guy, Intro and Jodeci.


How && when did you get your 'big break'?

Back in 1993 I tried to get a record deal with John Singleton's record label. DJ Paul Stewart was working with his label at the time and introduced me to Russell Simmons in NYC in an attempt to bring West Coast R&B to the East Coast Rap label Def Jam Records. Russell took me out on the town in NYC and allowed Andre Harrell to hear me sing live in a Range Rover just before entering a strip club. Andre gave Russell a green light by indicating that "he'd sign me" and once that was said Russell told me right there in the car to go back to LA and get a lawyer. I was virtually signed that night on the spot.


'This Is How We Do It' was and still is a song that everybody jams to. How did this song come about && did you expect it to be such a big hit?

I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated, an international fraternity of College men dedicated to Achievement. During my University years, every party I went to, which were quite a few, I recognized that the dance floor was never empty when Slick Rick's "Children's Story" song came on. In an era when sampling was on the rise, I was determined to one day sing over that beat. I was fortunate to meet with a producer/musician named Oji Pierce [R.I.P] who tutored me, set up my equipment, and contributed to the creation of my entire first album, including "This Is How We Do It." Once I had a blueprint for the song, he refined my early production and helped me write it. once the song was ready to record, we booked out a studio, purchased wine coolers and beer and then invited our friends and family to come through for free drinks while we recorded the "party atmosphere" that is in the background if you listen carefully beginning from the intro of the song until the end. We KNEW we had something special and BIG. We had no idea just how big, but we did know.


What would you say is the best album that you have released && why?

My favorite album released [well, kind of] was my 5th album titled Montell Jordan. It was not released in the USA due to a label split, but it is my favorite because of the songwriting, honesty and pain expressed throughout the entire album and it documents the rebuilding process in my marriage that applies to anyone who has ever hurt or been hurt by someone, yet choose to forgive and love again.


What are you bumpin right now on your iPod or in your ride?

I am bumping my new "PRESSURE" album right now, and most of my other listening is dedicated to old school. I do this so I don't subliminally copy other artist. Kanye, Common, Corrine Bailey...a wide variety, but not in male R&B.

What would be your dream collaboration?

I would love to do a duet with Stevie Wonder or have a slow jam produced by Prince. Anything with Mary J. [Blige] would be a life long achievement as well.


Talk about 'The Black Woman Tribute'.

I just hooked up with 2 Canadian rap artists that had a hot song. I asked them via MySpace to send it to me and I created the chorus and wrote a hot 16 on the joint. They are good guys, Prestege and Promise [both solo artists] and I wanted to help bring some light to artists I think got flows comparable to Common, one more conscious and the other more street, yet both unique.


We recently interviewed Tonex. You collaborated with him for the track 'Yes'. How did that come about and how was it working with him in the lab?

Tonex is one of the most talented vocalists I have ever worked with. He is a friend. The song really speaks for itself, and I thank God for the opportunity to have created it with him.


A lot of people haven't heard much about you in a nice minute, what's next for Montell Jordan? Will you be releasing any projects in the future?

New album is called "Pressure" and will be released in May/June of 2008. The album has major distribution through Universal. I also recently contributed to the score and soundtrack for the MTV films, "How She Move". Working on a family reality TV show called "Montellivision", wrote an autobiography called "Reflections: This Is How I Did It" and numerous other projects are slated for release in 2008.


Finally, leave us with one fact that no one else knows about you. It can be ANYTHING.

One thing that no one else knows about me...well the world knows me as Montell Jordan, but I was born Montell Du'Sean Barnett. Most people don't know that I was adopted and my name was changed to Jordan when I was around 2 years old.


Aight man, thanks again for the interview! We will definitely be keeping our eye out for your future projects!

Thanks for the opportunity! Cop the new album! Pressure is Fire!