Shawn Stockman's On That Note

Why does music feel emptier now? In this solo session, Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men) breaks down how the bridge disappeared from modern songs, how streaming economics rewired songwriting, and why craft keeps losing to algorithms. Bookended by live moments—Bob Marley to open and Brandy to close—this is a straight talk on what’s broken and how to bring the soul back. Learn more about your ad choices....

Step back into the golden age of hip-hop with Money B of Digital Underground as he shares untold stories that shaped rap history. In this candid conversation, Money B reflects on the pure energy of the era, the creative brilliance of Shock G, and the early struggles of a young Tupac Shakur — including the shocking moment when Pac nearly walked away from rap before finding his voice with Digital Un...

Jimmy Jam opens up about his years working with Prince — from grueling six-hour rehearsals and legendary studio sessions to the infamous Atlanta snowstorm that cost him his place in The Time. In this candid conversation, Jam shares rare stories about Prince’s genius, the creation of “777-9311,” and the day it all ended at Sunset Sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

Singer, songwriter, and R&B innovator Eric Bellinger sits down with Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman for a deep dive into the state of R&B today, the craft of songwriting, and his incredible journey from church choirs to penning hits for music’s biggest names. From Usher and Beyoncé to Chris Brown and Ne-Yo, Bellinger opens up about the creative process, the realities of the music business, and what i...

Bobby Brown joins On That Note for a raw, unfiltered look at his rise from New Edition frontman to solo superstar. He opens up about being kicked out of the group, the pressure to prove himself, and how he created one of R&B’s most unforgettable solo careers. From the soul of My Prerogative to his bold performance style, Bobby reflects on a legendary era of music—and the pain, power, and artistry...

ODM (One Dope Mexican) of Lighter Shade of Brown joins Shawn Stockman to break down the rise of Latin Hip-Hop during the golden age of the music industry. From pushing mixtapes at backyard parties and car shows to finally getting national radio play, this is the untold story of how Latin voices carved out a space in a Black-dominated industry. ODM reflects on their hit “On a Sunday Afternoon,” how...

EDI Mean joins Sean Stockman for an unforgettable conversation about life inside Tupac’s Outlawz. From growing up like cousins to recording “Hit Em Up,” EDI shares raw stories of Pac’s vision, the House of Blues performance, and how the 90’s East vs. West beef changed everything. They break down how Tupac built a supergroup he never got to see fully realized — and why his legacy still shapes hip-h...

Music and skateboarding collide in this special conversation with DaShawn Jordan — X Games skateboarder, musician, and a true force pushing for more representation in the sport. DaShawn opens up about what it means to be a Black pro skater in a space that’s still mostly white, the need for a “Black Tony Hawk,” and how hip hop culture has fueled his style, his sound, and his next moves. From skatin...

In this episode of On That Note, we celebrate the life, music, and cultural legacy of the one-and-only Selena Quintanilla – with an intimate perspective from her sister and bandmate, Suzette Quintanilla. Suzette joins host Shawn Stockman (of Boyz II Men) to share heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories and personal memories of Selena. They revisit everything from their humble childhood in Texas and th...

Troy Taylor is a Grammy-winning producer who’s worked with the best of the best — but in this episode of On That Note, he takes it somewhere real. He tells the never-before-heard story of a vaulted Boyz II Men track, explains what happened when he told Stevie Wonder his note was off, and dives deep into the state of R&B today. There's music, honesty, and history in this one. Learn more about your...

Jon B. joins Shawn Stockman for a powerful conversation spanning three decades of music, mentorship, and moments that changed his life. From his early days under the guidance of Babyface to witnessing the creation of Water Runs Dry for Boyz II Men, Jon reflects on the moments that shaped him — and the legends he got to witness up close. Later in the episode, he opens up about his rare in-studio ex...

Jon B shares his realest memories of Tupac—from the moment Pac called him out of nowhere to the night they recorded “Are U Still Down” in a single studio session. What started as a surprise phone call turned into a lifelong mark. From Death Row politics to Afeni Shakur’s deeply human stories about her son, this one's personal. Released in honor of Tupac’s birthday. Learn more about your ad choices...

Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas joins Shawn to look back on his early days in LA hip-hop, the rise of the Peas, and the personal growth that came with fatherhood, sobriety, and rediscovering his Native identity. This one's got real heart, industry wisdom, and a lot of laughs too. Whether he's talking about freestyle battles with Will.i.am or navigating fame’s dark side, Taboo keeps it raw, reflective...

This one’s personal. Shawn reflects on launching On That Note and all the love it's gotten—plus some never-before-heard tour stories that span the globe. From singing at the DMZ to performing for Putin to dreaming up a fan-powered tour, Shawn lays it all out. They also break down how Boys II Men became timeless without chasing trends, and what’s next for the show now that Spotify’s calling… Learn...

Martin Lawrence pulls back the curtain on the wild ride that was Def Comedy Jam, the brilliance of his cast on Martin, and how Bad Boys nearly became a completely different movie. From his legendary improv moments to choosing Will Smith as a co-star, Martin reflects on the freedom, trust, and creative madness that shaped his greatest hits. He also dives into directing A Thin Line Between Love and...

J. Valentine joins Shawn for a real one—breaking down what it takes to succeed behind the scenes in music, from writing timeless hits with Babyface to unforgettable lessons learned from Joe Jackson himself. They dig into Jay's smart approach to the music industry, hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, and why knowing the business side is just as crucial as hitting those notes. If you love classic R...

From Jamie Foxx’s once-in-a-generation genius to the behind-the-scenes chaos of Wild’n Out, Affion Crockett brings the energy, humor, and real insight in this explosive sit-down with Shawn Stockman. He reflects on the influence of Martin Lawrence, the creative grind, and how the industry still tries to box artists in. Plus, he drops a hilarious Denzel Washington impersonation, freestyles live with...

Trevor Jackson sits down with Shawn Stockman for an unforgettable conversation about navigating Hollywood, the power of individuality, and the lessons learned through music, film, and surfing. From child star to grown-ish icon, Trevor opens up about being mistaken for a rapper, his deepest fears, and the spiritual clarity he finds in the ocean. He also teases new music, acting methods, and the cha...

Faith Evans stops by On That Note to share rare, unfiltered memories from the golden age of R&B and hip-hop. From unforgettable moments in the studio with Biggie and Junior M.A.F.I.A., to wild behind-the-scenes stories with Whitney Houston, this episode is packed with personal insight and untold 90s energy. It’s not just nostalgia — it’s history, told by someone who lived every beat of it.  #Faith...

Howard Hewett takes us back to a time when individuality, soul, and artistry ruled the stage. From his early days navigating the L.A. music scene to becoming the voice of Shalamar, Howard shares the untold stories behind one of R&B’s most iconic runs. With memories from the studio, the stage, and the streets of 80s L.A., this episode is a soulful, reflective look at an era that defined generations...

Jimmy Jam helped shape the sound of modern music—now he’s telling the stories behind the moments that made history. From being fired by Prince to crafting Janet Jackson’s breakthrough and producing the iconic “Scream” with Janet and Michael, Jimmy dives deep into the legacy he built with Terry Lewis. This episode is a rare, intimate look into the genius, the grind, and the groundbreaking records t...

Lesley Nicole was there for some of the most iconic moments in music history. From dancing in Aaliyah’s final video to performing for Michael Jackson, and starring in classic visuals from Missy Elliott and Usher, she’s seen it all. In this episode, she shares the untold stories behind the camera—and the moments that changed her life forever.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices....

Johnny Gill is pulling back the curtain on some of music’s greatest legends!  From the time Stevie Wonder set him up for an unforgettable moment to wild nights at Eddie Murphy’s house, Johnny shares stories you’ve never heard before. Plus, he breaks down the genius of Donny Hathaway, the truth about the music industry, and even joins Shawn Stockman for a live R&B jam session. This episode is full...

There was a time when every note hit different, when vocals came from the soul, and when R&B reigned supreme. Paula DeAnda takes us back to that golden era, singing iconic hits from Selena, Mariah, and the queens of R&B who shaped a generation. From the power of raw vocals to the magic of real storytelling, this episode is a love letter to 90s and 2000s music. Tap in and relive the sound of an era...

Skylar Astin joins On That Note to break down his journey as a singer, actor, and Broadway star. Best known for Pitch Perfect, Skylar shares untold stories from the film, including what really went down behind the scenes of those iconic a cappella performances. He and Shawn dive deep into the art of vocal performance, discussing the discipline, technique, and passion required to deliver music at t...