Music is more than just sound—it’s the soundtrack to our lives.
On That Note is where culture, nostalgia, and real stories collide. Hosted by Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men, this podcast takes you on a journey through music with legendary guests from all walks of life—artists, athletes, producers, actors, and more—diving deep into the songs that shaped their paths.
From the anthems that fueled their biggest moments to the melodies that got them through the lows, every episode explores the undeniable power of music.
Expect real talk, untold stories, and a vibe that’s soulful, unfiltered, and straight from the heart.
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 Hate, working with Eddie Murphy, and what made 90s comedy untouchable. This is one of the realest convos we’ve had — unfiltered and full of gems.
Martin Lawrence: “You so crazy!” It’s the title of a Martin Lawrence film and an apt description of the man himself. Everything about him is unexpected…even his birthplace.
Martin was born in Frankfurt, Germany. His father was in the Air Force. Eventually the family came Stateside, first to Queens, New York and later Landover, Maryland.
A typical “class clown,” Martin won over one of his teachers who decided to simply give the kid a few minutes at the end of every class. Martin soon found himself coming up with “fresh material” on demand.
Martin’s easy style of faces, insults, wisecracks and slices-of-life got him attention in local comedy clubs. He also had the discipline to hone his work down for mass consumption and after an appearance on “Star Search” he found the doors opening wide for him in all areas.
The pebble-headed zany with the accustatory eyes became a regular as a busboy on the syndicated sitcom “What’s Happening Now.” This led to his own cable series, “One Night Stand” and two years of hosting “Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam.” Able to take directions as well as run wild in stand-up, Martin became a film actor, debuting in Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing.”
Lawrence’s starring sitcom for Fox-TV, “Martin” had a tumultuous run from 1992 to 1997, marked by disruptions on the set and off. The tabloids enjoyed reporting on the wild and crazy lifestyle of Lawrence and his wife, Virginia. But Lawrence’s star did not dim, and instead he went on to co-write, direct and star in “Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” star in his own concert film (“You So Crazy”) and co-star with a variety of top film stars including Will Smith (Bad Boys) and Eddie Murphy (Life).
