Nicky Jam adds fire to the reggaeton “pure hitmaker” conversation as he breaks down crafting early records with Daddy Yankee, surviving addiction and street life, and rebuilding his career into a global comeback story decades in the making.

In this episode of On That Note, Nicky reflects on moving to Puerto Rico as a kid, learning Spanish through music, witnessing reggaeton’s rise from the inside, and navigating the dangerous realities that nearly derailed his career. He opens up about recovery, faith, longevity, and what it takes to last 30 years in a genre built on pressure, competition, and reinvention.

An honest, deeply personal conversation about music, survival, and earning your second — and third — chance.

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Shawn Stockman warms up the guitar as the conversation turns musical, and Jemele Hill breaks down her all-time favorite artists — Aretha Franklin, Sade, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Mary J. Blige. Then Shawn jumps into an acoustic performance of Human Nature, and Jemele gets pulled into the moment for the iconic “why, why, why” — reluctantly, hilariously, and fully aware she’s about to get roasted. A raw, fun, and playful moment that captures everything On That Note does best: great music, great taste, and zero pressure to be perfect.

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Jemele Hill and Shawn Stockman break down why the 1990s became the golden age of culture, from Michael Jordan’s mystique and NBA rivalries to MTV’s grip on music, media, and shared experience.

They explore how scarcity, radio dominance, and fewer platforms created bigger stars, stronger legacies, and a level of cultural focus that’s nearly impossible to recreate today — and what’s been gained (and lost) in the modern media era.

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Tony Rich performs and shares the story behind “Nobody Knows,” the hit song that many listeners mistakenly believed was a Babyface record.

In this episode of On That Note, Tony breaks down how the confusion started, why the comparison made sense at the time, and how the song—written with his brother about their father—became one of the most misunderstood classics of ’90s R&B. Alongside a stripped-down performance, Tony offers rare context about the record’s creation, its legacy, and what it was like hearing his own song misattributed on the radio.

This is “Nobody Knows” as it was meant to be heard—with the story behind it.

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A Detroit kid turned LaFace secret weapon, Tony Rich joins Shawn Stockman to talk John Salley’s studio, Tim & Bob’s life-changing phone call, writing “Nobody Knows” and “I Sit Away,” the pressure of “LaFace University,” and the Prince moments that flipped his whole approach to music.

In this episode of On That Note, Tony traces his path from Motown’s backyard to Atlanta’s hit factory, breaking down how L.A. Reid, Babyface, and the LaFace camp shaped his songwriting, why bridges are a lost art, what it meant to hand Boyz II Men a classic, and how Prince, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and the 90s label era still guide the way he writes, performs, and self-checks every new project.

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Lisa Lisa delivers a rare, intimate acoustic performance of “All Cried Out,” joined by Shawn Stockman on guitar and close friends on background vocals in a raw, emotional studio moment you can’t get anywhere else.

Enjoy a stripped-down, soulful performance of “All Cried Out” as Lisa Lisa steps back into one of her most iconic hits — this time in a completely raw and intimate setting. With Shawn Stockman providing acoustic guitar and two of Lisa’s closest friends adding rich, live background vocals, this version captures the heart and emotion of the original while giving it a fresh, personal feel.

Recorded live during On That Note, this moment blends nostalgia, artistry, and pure vocal chemistry. It’s a rare look at what happens when legends reconnect with the music that shaped generations.

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Lisa Lisa opens up about her Hell’s Kitchen beginnings, the creation of freestyle music, and the personal battle with cancer that transformed her life and career. A powerful story of resilience, cultural influence, and the roots of a global sound.

Lisa Lisa sits down with Shawn Stockman for an intimate conversation about her rise from Hell’s Kitchen to becoming one of the defining voices of the freestyle movement. She breaks down how Full Force discovered her, the early struggles and breakthroughs that shaped her sound, and the cultural impact of her biggest records. Lisa also shares the deeply personal journey of surviving cancer, rebuilding her life, and reconnecting with her purpose as an artist. A moving, inspiring episode that honors her legacy and strength.

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AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys revisits the Boyband Golden Era, revealing what really happened with the rumored NSYNC “beef” while opening up about fame, brotherhood, and performing at the groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere.

AJ McLean sits down with Shawn Stockman for a nostalgic, honest, and often hilarious look at the Backstreet Boys’ rise, the boyband explosion of the 90s, and the truth behind the long-whispered rivalry with NSYNC. He reflects on the Millennium days, studio sessions with Max Martin, unforgettable tour stories, backstage pranks, and how the group kept their sound authentic across decades.

AJ also shares the personal journey that reshaped his life offstage — from stepping away from the “AJ” persona to embracing Alex, rebuilding boundaries, and finding clarity through recovery. If you love the Backstreet Boys, boyband history, or the pop/R&B crossover era that defined the late 90s, this episode dives deep into the music, the memories, and the evolution behind it all.

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Anderson .Paak sits down with Shawn to unpack his journey from Oxnard’s church circuit to Grammy-winning stages, breaking down the musicianship, mentors, and moments that shaped his sound. A soulful, funny, wide-open conversation recorded inside the .Paak house.

Anderson .Paak welcomes Shawn to the 805 for a wide-ranging conversation inside the .Paak House, reflecting on the church musicians, family influences, and early Oxnard community that molded his rhythm and voice. He shares stories about banging on his stepdad’s drum kit, discovering Curtis Mayfield, developing pocket through worship services, and finding his artistic identity long before the world knew him as Breezy Lovejoy.

They get into the moment Dr. Dre recognized the “pain” and texture in his voice, the evolution that led to Malibu, NxWorries, and eventually Silk Sonic, and why analog warmth and live musicianship still matter in 2025. Anderson and Shawn also talk fatherhood, creative discipline, building .Paak House Festival for the community, and the joy of performing with artists who push him to new levels. A soulful, vulnerable, and often hilarious look at one of the most original artists of his generation.

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Jo Koy breaks down how he pushed his way onto Netflix, why Hollywood comedy is finally shifting toward real diversity, and how Filipino identity shaped his voice as one of today’s most beloved stand-ups.

In this episode of On That Note, Sean Stockman sits down with comedian Jo Koy for an unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation. Jo opens up about the early hustle, getting rejected for years, and how persistence finally broke open the Netflix door. He shares powerful stories about representation in comedy, why diversity in the industry is more important than ever, and how celebrating Filipino culture became the backbone of his stand-up career.

They also dive into Jo’s creative process, the pressure of arena tours, raising a son while touring the world, and how comedy changed drastically from the 2000s to now. Packed with heart, humor, and real talk, this episode is a masterclass on authenticity, cultural pride, and finding your comedic voice.

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