This Is How We Do It
Who's your favorite Jordan?
Howdy! It’s Joey, back with more Fun Fact Friyay. This fact might require you to crane your neck a bit.
Montell Jordan, singer of “This Is How We Do It,” is taller than Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer.
Growing up in Chicago in the 90s, I received a steady dose of Michael Jordan.
Of course, I’m not unique. During that time, MJ was perhaps the most popular athlete in the world.
I mean, can YOU think of anyone else who had such a catchy song for a massively successful ad campaign?
However, people outside of Chicago likely didn’t get into the multiple Chicago Bulls “Greatest Hits” CDs. These compilations were found in local department stores like Montgomery Ward and featured an incredible collection of bops and broadcast calls of memorable Bulls moments.
These CDs are perhaps the greatest compilation albums ever made. (This statement has not been verified by Fun Fact Friyay.)
It’s where I first heard the full version of “Be Like Mike” (a step up above the commercial tune, in my book). There are also variants of the “12 Days of Christmas” with Bulls lyrics, as well as a “YMCA” parody that spells out “B-U-L-L-S.”
Let’s all spell it together!
A few years before these CDs were dropped, Montell Jordan came onto the scene.
You may be familiar with his songs “Get It On Tonite” and “Let’s Ride.” You are most definitely familiar with “This Is How We Do It.”
Even to this day, the song gets played at sporting events, bars, clubs, and just about anywhere containing a number of people that can be classified as at least a gaggle, if not a crowd.
We don’t have scientific data to back it up, but I’d guess this song also gets more spins on Friday than any other day of the week, due to the first verse opening up with the line, “This is how we do it, it’s Friday night.”
Coincidentally, Montell released “This Is How We Do It” in 1995, one of the few years of the 1990s the Bulls did not win a championship. I doubt the song was playing very often in the locker room.
Admittedly, it took me many listens to notice any words beyond that first line and the chorus. Had I been paying attention, I would have noticed this little number later on in the song:
Once upon a time in '94
Montell made no money and life sure was slow
And all they said was 6'8" he stood
And people thought the music that he made was good
Now, we know people lie about their height sometimes, but this is other people saying it. So it must be true. IMDb confirms Montell’s height, as well.
IMDb also randomly knows my height. They’ve got a crack squad over there.
Okay, we’ve got Montell Jordan at 6’8”. How about the other MJ, Michael Jordan?
There are ample avenues to figure out his height. But I’m going to once again be a Chicago homer and point us to the Chicago Bulls starting lineup, roared by PA announcer Ray Clay over the song “Sirius” by The Alan Parsons Project.
Tell me this doesn’t get you immediately hyped:
In case you’re feeling too energetic already and didn’t watch, the video reveals Michael Jordan is 6’6”.
I’m no mathematician, but 6’8” (80 inches, 2.03 meters) is taller than 6’6” (78 inches, 1.98 meters). And thus, Montell Jordan is taller than Michael Jordan.
Meanwhile, Montel Williams and Michael B. Jordan have both had heights reported in the 5’11” to 6’ range, though the Internet seems skeptical.
I’ve never stood next to either of them, so I can’t confirm. If I do, I’ll try to report back.
In the meantime, may you stand proudly, however tall you are.