Shawn Stockman's On That Note

Brooke Payne reflects on building New Edition from the ground up, developing Boyz II Men into complete performers, and creating the blueprint for what a successful R&B group looks like—from talent and personality to stage presence and showmanship. In this episode, Payne shares the story of discovering young talent in Boston, shaping groups through discipline and performance training, and the philosophy that separates performers from true entertainers. From early beginnings at the Boys Club to working with some of the biggest names in music, this is a look at the vision and leadership behind some of the most iconic acts of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Patrick Thomas joins Shawn Stockman to break down Save the Last Dance, Barbershop, Cruel Intentions, and the career that made him one of the defining Black male leads of the early 2000s. From dance films and romantic dramas to Gen V and The Boys, Sean reflects on the roles that shaped his path, his Guyanese roots and musical influences, and what it meant to break through in Hollywood during a pivotal era. It’s a thoughtful conversation about identity, timing, legacy, and choosing work that actually lasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marques Houston joins On That Note to break down You Got Served, the “Never Lie” breakout, and how B2K came together. From dance culture to early 2000s R&B, this episode dives into the moments that defined an era. Marques Houston shares his journey from child actor on Sister, Sister to recording artist and creative force behind some of the most recognizable moments in early 2000s music and film. He reflects on the impact of You Got Served and how it elevated dance culture, the making of “Never Lie” with Immature (IMx), and the process of building B2K alongside Omarion and Chris Stokes. The conversation also explores artist development, radio’s role in breaking records, Michael Jackson’s influence, and how the music industry has evolved from the 90s and 2000s to today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracie Spencer joins Shawn Stockman to share the story behind “Tender Kisses,” winning Star Search at 12, and stepping into the music industry as a kid navigating pressure, fame, and a life that changed almost overnight. From her early days in Waterloo, Iowa to signing with Capitol Records, Tracie reflects on the family foundation that shaped her, the realities of growing up in the spotlight, and the moments that made her realize everything was changing in real time. It’s an honest, grounded conversation about early success, industry pressure, and staying true to yourself while building a lasting career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan-Michael Cox joins Shawn Stockman for a conversation about making R&B classics for Mary J. Blige, Usher, Mariah Carey, and Jagged Edge. From the real-life conversation that led to Usher’s “U Got It Bad” to the hit that helped save Jagged Edge’s career, this episode is packed with legendary music stories. In this episode of On That Note, Shawn sits down with 10-time Grammy-winning producer Bryan-Michael Cox to break down the records, relationships, and real moments behind some of R&B’s biggest hits. Bryan shares how Jermaine Dupri and Usher talked their way into “U Got It Bad,” why Jagged Edge’s “Gotta Be” became the record that helped keep the group alive, and how frustration with the music business helped shape Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You.” They also get into Mariah Carey, Robert Glasper, church as a training ground for real musicians, the rise and return of R&B, and why the best songs still come from truth, craft, and conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shanice joins Shawn Stockman to tell the real story behind her global hit “I Love Your Smile,” what it was like singing background vocals with Michael Jackson, and the difficult moment when she lost her record deal while five months pregnant—an honest look at how the music industry treated women at the time. She also shares incredible behind-the-scenes moments from her career, including appearing in a commercial with Ella Fitzgerald at nine years old, winning Star Search, and navigating major industry decisions that shaped her catalog. The conversation expands into stories involving Justin Timberlake, Babyface, and Barbra Streisand, along with reflections on the golden era of ’90s R&B and the unpredictable journey of building a lasting career in music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The demo for “Straight Up” was literally pulled out of the trash — and it changed Paula Abdul’s life. In this episode, she takes us inside the creation of Forever Your Girl, her early days at Virgin Records, and the era that connected her to Prince and Janet Jackson’s Control movement. Paula Abdul breaks down how “Straight Up” nearly disappeared before becoming a breakout hit, the creative risks she took while building her debut album Forever Your Girl, and what it was like being one of the first artists signed during the launch of Virgin Records America. She reflects on navigating label politics, cutting creative deals in the Prince ecosystem, witnessing Janet Jackson’s Control era up close, and working alongside rising producers like L.A. Reid and Babyface. This is the behind-the-scenes story of how a discarded demo became a defining moment in late-’80s pop music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paula Abdul’s journey from rejection to leading the Laker Girls and choreographing The Jacksons is one of the great underdog stories in pop culture history. In this Part 1 episode, Paula walks through her earliest timeline chronologically — being born premature with lung complications and hip dysplasia, growing up idolizing Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse, and fighting against the idea that she wasn’t built to dance. She explains how relentless preparation, resilience, and rejection shaped her work ethic, leading to her breakthrough moment with the Laker Girls during the Showtime Lakers era, performing in front of Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and catching the attention of executives that opened the door to her first professional job choreographing The Jacksons and contributing to their Victory Tour. This is the origin story of the dancer and choreographer who built the foundation of her legendary career long before global fame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

L.A. Reid tells the origin story of how meeting Babyface led to the creation of LaFace Records — and why that partnership changed music forever. He connects the label’s impact to the artists and eras that followed, from Usher to OutKast to the broader R&B legacy. In this conversation, L.A. Reid walks through what it took to build LaFace from the ground up, what made that Babyface collaboration work, and how real artist development created a run that still shapes how people think about timeless records today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices