Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – Interview with Montell Jordan

Episode: Montell Jordan Opens Up About Prostate Cancer Battle, His Journey From Music To Ministry + More

Release Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Montell Jordan

Overview

On this episode of The Breakfast Club, Montell Jordan joins the hosts to discuss his iconic music career, the creation and legacy of “This Is How We Do It,” his transition from R&B superstar to ministry, his 32-year marriage, and, most poignantly, his ongoing public battle with prostate cancer. Offering candid insights about faith, identity, marriage, health, and the importance of sharing one’s personal story, Montell’s appearance is as inspirational as it is informative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Enduring Legacy of “This Is How We Do It”

[02:22–07:51]

• Creation & Inspiration: Montell describes how he was inspired by the party atmosphere of Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up,” striving to capture that live, communal energy in “This Is How We Do It.”
  • “I put people in the studio, put a microphone in there, games and drinks, and they were all standing around having a party. And then I...we click play and we captured the energy of the room before the song ever...kicked in.” – Montell Jordan [05:19]
• Transforming a Hit into a Classic: He discusses the challenge and blessing of having his debut single overshadow later work.
  • “It was a gift because it’s around 30 years later. It was a curse because it was the first record...everybody always wants to put everything up against that record.” – Montell Jordan [05:52]
• Localizing the Anthem: To boost airplay, Montell personally recorded customized versions featuring various cities and radio personalities.
  • “I end up singing the song probably a thousand times just so that every station had their own customized version of it.” – Montell Jordan [07:44]

2. R&B, Rap Roots, and Def Jam

[03:35–09:07]

• Montell was Def Jam’s first major R&B star, fusing rap lyricism and R&B style.
• His approach was rooted in writing rap lyrics and vocalizing them melodically.
  • “My entire first album, I wrote rap lyrics, and then I figured out how to sing them.” – Montell Jordan [08:58]
• Early in his career, he was seen as Russell Simmons' “rap singer” and documents how his artistry carved space by integrating storytelling from street life.

3. Shift from Music to Ministry

[09:07–12:01]

• Montell returned to his church roots, finding his sense of self not through music, but through faith and service.
  • “If I never pick up a microphone again, I found out who I was, and I learned that, you know, music doesn't define me. I define music.” – Montell Jordan [10:42]
• He describes the difference between pursuing music for validation and experiencing God’s unconditional love.

4. Returning to Performance after Becoming a Pastor

[12:01–16:27]

• After a period of complete devotion to ministry, Montell weighed invitations to return—and ultimately realized it was his own decision, not God’s, to walk away from performing.
  • “God said, ‘No, you told you not to sing that song no more. I never told you that.’” – Montell Jordan [13:12]
• Adjusting his performances post-ministry includes editing lyrics and re-contextualizing songs to match his values while still offering audiences nostalgia.

5. Reconciling Old and New Montel

[16:27–18:45]

• Onstage, Montell weaves spirituality into his act and openly declares his faith, even in secular venues.
  • “I'm giving you nostalgia, but I’m also here to show you what it looks like when God gets a hold of a man’s heart and...puts him back in front of people.” – Montell Jordan [17:06]
• He refers to himself as “the same Montel, authentically me all the time” [15:58].

6. Personal Life & Marriage

[19:31–23:21]

• Montell has been married to his wife for 32 years, maintaining their bond even through industry pressures.
  • “Marriage isn’t something that humans created. I think marriage is something that God created. It’s meant to be a covenant.” – Montell Jordan [20:03]
• The couple now helps others through the “Jordan River” marriage program and their website marriagemasterpiece.com.
• Mixing marriage and business presented challenges, especially when label executives encouraged Montell to appear single for marketability.
• Eventually, they prioritized their marriage over industry personas.

7. Prostate Cancer Battle – Diagnosis, Treatment, and Advocacy

[27:04–45:34]

• Early Detection: Montell started regular PSA blood tests in his early 40s, leading to early detection and more treatment options.

  • “Prostate cancer is 99% treatable when caught early.” – Montell Jordan [28:32]

• Why Share Publicly: Inspired to be the template for others (especially Black men, who are disproportionately at risk), Montell and his wife have filmed a documentary, Sustain, documenting the journey for other men and families.

  • “I couldn’t find nobody...so even right after we got diagnosed, my wife and I felt like...the Lord said to us, film it. Tell everything.” – Montell Jordan [28:54]

• Family Communication: The immense challenge of disclosing his diagnosis to his wife and (especially) children.

  • “When I start to share it, do I give cancer to other people?...When I start to share it, do they now carry the weight of what I'm carrying?” – Montell Jordan [37:49]

• Treatment Challenges: After surgery, a reoccurrence led to further interventions.

  • “Even though the prostate was removed...there was some bad actors that had probably...tried to hide out...I was able to detect, hey, there's something in your lymph nodes.” – Montell Jordan [35:32]

• Radiation Therapy: Montell shares openly about his upcoming 7.5 weeks of proton therapy in Atlanta.

• Men’s Health & Community: The hosts and Montell discuss the lack of candid conversation around men’s health in Black communities, urging listeners to get tested and communicate.

8. Faith and Facing Adversity

[41:13–45:34]

• Montell’s faith remains the anchor throughout his cancer journey.
  • “I'm unshakable. I recognize that. I know where my soul rests in this...I'm right in the mix of it. And I want people to see that God ain't just on the other side of it. He's right with me in the mix of it.” – Montell Jordan [41:25]
• He encourages others to avoid secrecy and shame, advocating for openness and support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On music’s legacy:
  “That record was so...when Something for the Honeys came out, that was a song that had some legs to it, but it could never reach number one because...they’re like, no, we're still playing This Is How We Do It.” – Montell Jordan [06:18]

• On faith and identity:
  “Music doesn’t define me. I define music.” – Montell Jordan [10:42]

• On marital strength:
  “Our marriage ain't just for us, our marriage is for other people to...see and be like, man, if they can do it...” – Montell Jordan [20:25]

• On cancer advocacy:
  “I'm the template now. I'm partnering with Zero and I'm telling the—I'm snitching. I'm telling everything that I can...about this process.” – Montell Jordan [32:38]

• On faith in the fire:
  “God ain't just on the other side of it. He's right with me in the mix of it...I already know. I know God’s going to heal me...” – Montell Jordan [41:25]

Important Timestamps

• Iconic Song Creation: [02:58–05:45]
• Becoming the First R&B Star on Def Jam: [03:35–04:13]
• Music & Ministry Crossroads: [09:07–10:42]
• Marriage & Business: [19:31–23:21]
• Cancer Battle & Advocacy: [27:04–45:34]
• Telling Family about Diagnosis: [37:33–41:12]
• Faith and Facing the Battle: [41:13–45:34]
• Closing Prayer: [45:38–47:00]

Conclusion

This powerful episode offers much more than nostalgia: Montell Jordan courageously shares hard-won wisdom about lasting love, the struggle for authenticity, and the urgent need to discuss men’s health—especially in Black communities. Through his struggle with prostate cancer and his faith-driven resilience, Montell inspires listeners to embrace vulnerability, seek early medical intervention, and lean into supportive relationships. His closing prayer cements the episode’s focus on hope, community, and the power of testimony.

Learn More / Take Action:

• Men, especially Black men: Talk to your doctor about prostate cancer screening.
• Support Montell’s documentary: sustainthemovie.com
• For marriage resources: marriagemasterpiece.com
• For prostate cancer info: zerocancer.org