Shawn Stockman's On That Note

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.

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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.

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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.
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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.
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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.
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