Shawn Stockman's On That Note

October London joins Shawn Stockman for an in-depth conversation on On That Note, discussing his journey from South Bend, Indiana to becoming one of the standout voices in modern R&B and a flagship artist for Death Row Records.

October London opens up about the unexpected path that led him to Snoop Dogg, including the moment legendary producer Jazzy Fay discovered his music while October was preparing to become a truck driver. He shares the story of getting the call from Snoop, moving to Los Angeles, and learning the business of music by sitting in on major industry meetings.

The conversation also explores October London’s musical influences, including Boyz II Men, Jagged Edge, 112, New Edition, Trey Songz, Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye, and how those artists helped shape his approach to timeless R&B.

Shawn and October also discuss the creative philosophy behind the October London name, his different musical alter egos, his relationship with Snoop Dogg, and the freedom to explore multiple genres while maintaining a distinct R&B identity.

October reflects on the making of his music, including “Back to Your Place,” “Mulholland Drive,” and “Touch on Me,” the unexpected rise of “Touch on Me” through social media and line dancing, and his latest album Love Me for Me. He also talks about his passion for classic soul, the influence of Marvin Gaye, and why timeless music still matters in modern R&B.

Beyond music, October discusses his entrepreneurial ventures, including his Saint London bespoke suit line and his vision for building a brand beyond music.

From South Bend to Los Angeles, from nearly becoming a truck driver to working alongside Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records, this episode gives an inside look at October London’s journey, influences, creativity, business mindset, and commitment to keeping classic R&B alive.

🎙️ Hosted by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men
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Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman sits down with his brothers Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris for one of the most personal conversations yet on On That Note.

Filmed in Las Vegas during Boyz II Men’s residency at The Cosmopolitan, this conversation goes far beyond the music. Shawn, Nathan, and Wanya reflect on more than three decades of Boyz II Men, their brotherhood, the evolution of R&B, the music industry, and what it has taken to keep one of the most successful groups in music history together.

The three also open up about the long-awaited New Edition Way Tour featuring New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton, why the collaboration took so long to happen, the chemistry between the groups, and whether fans could see something similar happen again.

Shawn, Nathan, and Wanya also discuss whether Boyz II Men could headline another arena tour or even reach stadium status, the group’s massive international following, and why countries like Australia and South Africa have embraced Boyz II Men differently than the United States.

One of the most revealing moments comes when the brothers revisit the difficult period when Boyz II Men went from being at the height of their popularity to feeling shunned by the music industry. They talk about their experience with MTV’s Total Request Live (TRL), the changing music landscape, and what it felt like to go from being welcomed everywhere to struggling to even get a phone call.

The conversation gets even deeper as the group reflects on Khalil, success, ego, personal growth, and whether Boyz II Men themselves played a role in the industry turning against them. They discuss what they learned from that chapter of their careers and how those experiences shaped the men they are today.

Shawn, Nathan, and Wanya also debate the state of R&B music, the legacy of ’70s, ’80s and ’90s R&B, artists such as Jodeci, Silk, Color Me Badd, High Five, SWV, TLC, and Jagged Edge, and how the rise of hip-hop changed the sound and business of R&B.

And throughout it all, the brothers discuss the most important ingredient behind Boyz II Men’s longevity: the bond between the three of them, their love of music, and their ability to keep moving forward together.

🎙️ On That Note is hosted by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, bringing artists and music conversations together from a perspective only someone who has lived through the industry can provide.

Subscribe to On That Note for more conversations about music, artists, careers, culture, and the stories behind the songs.
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Comedian Jo Koy joins Shawn Stockman on On That Note for an in-depth conversation about comedy, culture, family, representation, and the journey that took him from selling $5 DVDs to performing in arenas and stadiums.

Jo opens up about his brand-new Netflix special, Blue in the Face, including the deeply personal story behind the title and how the special pays tribute to his late stepfather, Sergeant Fred Harrison, whose influence helped shape Jo and his family. He also reflects on growing up with limited resources and how those experiences became part of the stories that connect him with audiences around the world.

The conversation also dives into Jo’s mission to create greater Filipino representation in entertainment, from his work on the Broadway musical Here Lies Love to DreamWorks’ Easter Sunday and his efforts to bring Filipino American talent to larger platforms.Shawn and Jo also share a fascinating conversation about Michael Jackson, with Sean recalling his experiences visiting Jackson’s home and discussing the legendary entertainer’s work ethic, business mindset, and advice about knowing your own worth.

Jo gets candid about the realities of the comedy business, including Hollywood’s historical barriers for Black, Asian, and Latino comedians, the legendary Fat Tuesdays comedy scene, and the comedians who emerged from those difficult environments, including Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey, Chris Tucker, and Bill Bellamy.

He also tells the story of how he turned a Netflix rejection into an opportunity, self-funding and filming Live from Seattle before eventually getting Netflix’s attention. Jo discusses the lessons he learned from comedy legends like Eddie Murphy, Paul Mooney, and Cedric the Entertainer, and reveals his upcoming project Pass the Mic, created with Martin Lawrence to spotlight comedians who deserve a bigger platform.

From comedy and music to Hollywood, representation, and the importance of staying focused on your own journey, this is a wide-ranging conversation with one of entertainment’s most recognizable voices.

Watch Jo Koy’s new Netflix special, Blue in the Face, and check out the full conversation now.
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In this episode of On That Note, Shawn Stockman sits down with Josh Johnson — the sharp, thoughtful, and relentlessly prolific comedian, writer, and performer known for his work on The Daily Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and his viral topical stand-up comedy.
Josh opens up about the creative process behind his weekly stand-up output, how he balances politics, race, relationships, family, money, and modern America in his material, and why comedy can be both a release and a form of truth-telling.

He also talks about growing up in Alexandria, Louisiana, discovering music through Disney soundtracks and vinyl records, and the lessons that shaped his voice as an artist.

This conversation goes deep on:

• Josh Johnson’s career journey from writer to on-air correspondent
• His approach to topical stand-up and releasing comedy consistently
• The power of social commentary, honesty, and timing in comedy
• Why the best comedians make audiences laugh and think
• Childhood memories, music, physical media, and family influence
• Advice Josh would give his younger self

If you love Josh Johnson interviews, stand-up comedy, late night writers, comedy podcasts, political humor, Black comedy, and thoughtful conversations about entertainment and culture, this episode is for you.
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Chart topping artist KEM joins On That Note for a conversation about overcoming some of life's challenges early on and his enormous success in music . The Motown artist speaks on his chart topping success and tells some industry stories of his along the way. He speaks on the opportunity to meet one of his inspirations, Al Jarreau, and how KEM was still bussing tables at the Ritz Carlton when it happened.

Fast forwarding a bit the singer-songwriter has amassed ten number one records such as “Love Calls,” "It's You," "Lie to Me," and more which has made him a pillar in R&B. His albums, KEM, KEM Album II, and Intimacy, all earned him platinum and gold certifications.

Taking it back to his childhood he attributes names like Tom Browne and "Jamaica Funk" as a record that impacted his musical trajectory. KEM mentions his parents having Jazz records in the house and musicians like Michael Franks being a lot of what he listened to. KEM also discusses the parts of him he had to leave behind. After struggling with addiction he discusses using his faith to overcome alcohol and drug addiction which in turn changed his life.

KEM now owns and operates a non-profit organization called Mack & Third Foundation, dedicated to aiding homelessness in Detroit. KEM tells the story of the inspiration of the name and his time at the Detroit Rescue Mission back in the 90's that all played a part in his anthropological journey. He has been actively giving back to communities in Detroit.
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