Bryan-Michael Cox

Bryan-Michael Cox

From Shawn Stockman's On That Note by Shawn Stockman

March 11, 2026 · 1h 4m

About this episode

Shawn Stockman interviews Grammy-winning producer Bryan-Michael Cox about his experiences creating iconic R&B hits and the stories behind them.

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Shawn Stockman

Guest: Bryan-Michael Cox

Topics covered

  • R&B music
  • music production
  • Grammy-winning producers
  • music industry stories
  • artist collaborations
  • songwriting process

Keywords

  • Bryan-Michael Cox
  • R&B classics
  • music stories
  • Usher
  • Mary J. Blige
  • Jagged Edge
  • songwriting
  • music industry

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: U Got It Bad, Gotta Be, Be Without You

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