Montell Jordan, whose new album, "Let's Ride," arrives in record stores this week, will soon be able to add the title of fashion model to his resumé.

Jordan plans to strut the wares of up-and-coming African American designer Shaka King for an April 9 show at the Parson's Midtown Exhibition Center in New York City.

Meanwhile Jordan, a singer who evidences hip hop influences in his songs, credits one particular rap legend with affecting the style of his music.

One thing that I always loved and one of the reasons that 'This Is How We Do It' was such a big song for me was because I really had studied a style that Slick Rick the Ruler had used when he would rap," Jordan said in an interview with the MTV Radio Network.

Actually, 'Children's Story' was a lot of how, even today, my whole focus on the records that I make are based on. Based on telling stories.

In addition to the many stories of the new album (see [article id="1430709"]"Montell

Jordan Says 'Let's Ride'"[/article]), the singer has also been honing his writing skills by penning songs for other artists, including Deborah Cox and 98 Degrees. Jordan will kick off a five city House Of Blues tour in Orlando, Florida on April 4.