The Progress Report Podcast

“It wouldn’t be no Future if it wasn’t for Yung L.A.” ~ Alley Boy

Atlanta heavyweights Yung L.A. and Alley Boy do their first joint interview together with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about what each other means to the city and culture of Atlanta, new single “Back on That” produced by Nard&B/ Trenchwerk, upcoming collaboration album ‘Mob Lingo’ and tour, the independent grind, cons of signing a record deal, ageism in Hip Hop, health tips for smokers, fatherhood, living with past trauma and PTSD, karma, and defines our keyword “PROGRESS”!

“Covid saved my life” ~ Marcus Muscogee “$co”

Marcus Muscogee “$co” skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in a military family, serving 11 years in the army, going overseas twice, plans to go back to college and eventually become a music therapist, balancing family life and a third marriage, coping with the death of his mother, and learning to trust God! 

FishXGrits skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about rapping since age 3, has over 18 projects out, has features with Peewee Longway, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, and Sauce Walka, and explains the “IZM” lifestyle.

“I am the greatest song writer alive from Campbellton Road… Grady Baby” ~ Sean Garrett

Super producer, artist, and songwriter Sean Garrett skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in ATL, writing hits for Beyonce, Ciara, Chris Brown, Mary J Blige, Polo Da Don, Scott Storch, Fergie, Kelis, Jamie Foxx, Bangladesh, Gucci Mane, Mario, remembers the late music mogul Chubbie Baby, recalls relationship with Michael Jackson, speaks on new single “Baddie” featuring Jacquees, importance of men being vulnerable to women, offers financial advise, and shares untold stories about artists an...

25 year old, 175 light heavyweight, PRO fighter Najee Lopez skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his journey to becoming the person he is now, losing his father, growing up as a mixed male being African American and Puerto Rican, having over 200 amateur fights before officially going pro, growing up in East Atlanta, staying disciplined mentally, physically, and spiritually. 

“People think celebs are God JR or Jesus Jenkins” ~ Z-Ro

Houston legend Z-Ro makes his debut on The Progress Report Podcast’s Lunch Table Talk segment with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about why he thinks the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul boxing match was fake, SLAB culture, avoiding legal issues sampling music, duties as a public figure, sex with robots, “No Ice” new single, relationships with other Texas artists, and focusing on health. 

“I don’t rely on just music, I’m a hustler, I just got to do my thang and keep going” ~ Cheeze Beatz

Super producer Cheeze Beatz skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about originally being from Miami, moving to Atlanta at age 12 with a man who eventually abandoned his mom, being raised by women, started off as a rapper then began producing, shares intimate stories about artists such as Nicki Minaj, Plies, Nardo Wick, Yung Joc, and speaks about his business ventures outside of music such as his Hibachi...

Colonial Heights, Virginia artist Truth Why skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about hardships growing up being a mixed male, being a former athlete and thoughts on NIL deals, being influenced musically by Chris Brown, being a full-time entrepreneur alongside his dad, and fatherhood. 

Fort Myers, FL artist SBM Zay does his very first interview with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about life with cerebral palsy, becoming a full-time rapper, not interested in signing with a major record label, upcoming single with Enphamus, and shares advice for other artists on the independent grind.

“I think a lot of people feel stuck in playing basketball… I knew I didn’t want to play forever” ~ Tiffany “Tip” Hayes

Tiffany “Tip” Hayes makes her debut on The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard and DJ eXeL to speak about growing up in Polk County, Florida, being coached by her mother as a kid, being recruited by the goat, Coach Geno Auriemma at UConn and starting since her Freshman year in college, being inspired by Allen Iverson, getting drafted to the Atlanta Dream, rocky split 10th season, playing one year with Connecticut...

“Ive gotten back to just having fun with everything… It started off as a passion then at a certain point it turned into work and it became less fun but we must find out way back to that joy and why we started doing it!” ~ Jasun Jabbar

Jasun Jabbar returns to The Progress Report to speak about his passions for rapping, producing, and acting, recalls working on the first seasons of BMF and Big Meech being freed, acting with Keyshia Cole on her biopic, learning lessons from actress Loretta Divine, lists his Mount Rushmore of actors, speaks on bei...

Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL of The Progress Report Podcast get together for another edition of Lunch Table Talk to speak about Donald Trump defeating Kamala Harris for the 2024 Presidential election.

“Movies change everything… People act stupid when your famous and I didn’t like that” ~ Brandon T Jackson

Brandon T Jackson makes his debut on The Progress Report with host Lalaa Shepard to speak about growing up in Detroit, being the son of 2 pastors, life as a preachers kid, moving to Hollywood to pursue his dreams of becoming a comedian and actor at age 19, landing major film roles and his life changing forever, opening for Chris Tucker, being mentored by Sinbad and Rip Michaels, working relationship with Shad Moss AKA Bow Wow, British actors taking o...

Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL of The Progress Report Podcast get together for a new edition of Lunch Table Talk to speak about 2024 being a rough year for Hip Hop, Katt Williams predicted people would be exposed all year, Lil Durk locked up, Quando Rondo forgiveness, Young Thug is free, and voting season is amongst us!

“I dress really girlie and cute but I’m a real n*gga too” ~ Kash Doll 

Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report Podcast catches up with Kash Doll at the Revolt Studios in ATL to reflect on coming up in Detroit, reveals she used to hoop in school, reflects on walking out the “GWOAT” Claressa Shields for her boxing match, background as a dancer, receiving organic support from male rappers, especially Detroit artists, fan tattoos, shares that she’s still single but still loves Tracy T’s kids like they are her own, motherhood, new single “Com...

“Love is an action word… Love is being selfless” ~ Amari Noelle

Amari Noelle skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about her background in the church, growing up in Gary, Indiana, discovering her voice at a young age, getting kicked off her college basketball team pushing her to become an artist, collaborating with Jacob Latimore, Kirko Bangz, and Kodie Shane on music, tour life with Kaash Paige, acting career, balancing the grind, and her upcoming album,’The Reintroduction’.

Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL of The Progress Report Podcast share their thoughts on doing business with friends, double standards of dating for males and females, Jess Hilarious and Loren’s roles on The Breakfast Club, Atlanta rapper Peso Montana receiving a 50 year sentence in prison, how much we miss Wendy Williams in the media space, and more!

Griffin, GA artist King Elway chops it up with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report live at his ‘2 Soulful’ listening experience. During the conversation, King Elway discusses selling the project for $100 following Nipsey Hussle’s infrastructure, ‘2 Soulful’ production and features with Translee, Starlito, Deante Hitchcock, Jody Breeze, and his homies from Griffin, GA, entrepreneurship and owning Wing It Deli, a shoe cleaning business, being a barber, all while being an artist and a father. 

Trenton, New Jersey artist Hunnit Milez makes his return back to Skipping Class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about filming a music video with live goats on a farm for his song “Youngest Turnt”, fatherhood and healing from trauma, interest in acting, and his upcoming project.

“I feel like I’m back connected with me” ~ Just Call Me Veto

Just Call Me Veto skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his roots in New Orleans, New Jersey, and Atlanta, seeking peace, passion for wrestling, Vibin with Veto Podcast, the importance of traveling the world and getting his music played in Africa, recording his potential last album and contemplating being done with music to use his voice in other ways.

“I’m grieving and grinding” ~ Talameshia

Houston, Texas artist #Talameshia skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about her upbringing in Houston, singing since age 3, singing in the choir, getting signed to Beyonce’s dad, Matthew Knowles while she was in a girls group, dating the late Beat King, coping with his passing, importance of mental health, and her new EP, “T Time”.

“If the money was still the same right now, I would still be stripping right now” ~ GiGi Maguire

The one and only GiGi Maguire joins Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about growing up in Philly, being born a side baby, becoming a teen parent and relocating to Atlanta to escape abusive boyfriend, Magic City history and starting working there in 2005 making history for her performances, formerly being known as your favorite strippers favorite stripper, addresses rumors that she has a BBL and spea...

“I’m very grateful to have been able to sustain this long and have a fruitful career” ~ Yung Joc

Yung Joc skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his upbringing and childhood, creating timeless music, his older songs going viral on Tik Tok, his thoughts on the Atlanta music scene now, losing Rich Homie Quan, giving artists their flowers while they are alive, transitioning to music, reality TV, acting, and radio, heterosexual men performing at homosexual events, thoughts on the Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, and his upcoming suspense drama...

Wakko The Kidd skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in North Hollywood, both of his parents having a background in music and entertainment, started rapping and smoking at age 11, music with Rio Da Yung OG, Peewee Longway, Icewear Vezzo, and many others, entrepreneurship, owning a studio, and upcoming tour. 

“You gotta go a little harder when you signed to a artist” ~ Noodah05

24 year old recording artist #Nooda05 joins Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about his relationship with Lil Baby, growing up in Atlanta, trauma selling in rap, adjustments to becoming a public figure, lyrics being used against rappers, and everything in between. 

“I’m back dropping music, nothing is holding me down, I’m back to telling my story” ~ Rich Homie Quan

Flashback 2021 edition of 'Conversations with Lalaa' series with The Progress Report's own Lalaa Shepard and the late Atlanta native Rich Homie Quan to speak about his come up doing open mics, his first big break with “Type of Way”, hating his most popular song to date, “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)”, changes in the music industry since 2013, fatherhood, and more.

Atlanta, GA artist Lotto Savage skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about getting out of his record deal with Bases Loaded, originally being 21 Savage’s hype man and originally not supposed to be a rapper, blowing through his money, Travis Scott being the first person to play his song “Trapped It Out”, learning how to rap from 21 Savage, shares his thoughts on YFN Lucci and Young Thug arrests, speaks on Lil Keed’s death being a sacrifice for his family, addresses his relationship now with Loso Loaded, fans confusing his name with Latto, shares why he s...

Super producer OG Parker skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to reflect on their first interview back in 2016, golden days being signed to QC, always keeping God first, being raised in the church, producing Migos “Walk It Talk It” FT Drake, Megan Thee Stallion “Thot Sh*t”, PARTYNEXTDOOR “Loyal” FT Drake, Drake and Kendrick Lamar rap beef being good for Hip Hop, his debut EP ‘Moments’, and record label Neutral Records. 

“The first person I started listening to was Rich Homie Quan” ~ T7

Miami, FL artist #T7 returns to Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report with Lalaa Shepard to speak about his latest project, ‘Baby Roller’ The EP, the flashy High Rollerz lifestyle, 

having to leave the city to get love, remaining professional during sound issues during performance, and the importance of artist development.

“All that one foot in and one foot out is a lose lose” ~ Lil Wookie

Atlanta artist #LilWookie skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about serving one year in jail, learning himself and patience, hair growth, “Thot Life” song with Young Thug, thoughts on YSL, and new music. 

“I didn’t have much of a childhood without being famous, my whole childhood I was famous” ~ Lil Terrio 

Lil Terrio makes his debut on Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report with host Lalaa Shepard to speak about going viral at age 6 and dancing online, monetizing content and avoiding getting finessed, shares his advice for people looking to lose weight, and plans for upcoming music. 

#OohKillEm

“41 is a family… same young n***as who had the same dream and wanted to win and came together” ~ TaTa/ Kyle Richh

2/3s of Brooklyn, New York music collective 41 (Kyle Richh & TaTa) skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about coming up together in Brooklyn, following their dreams of becoming rappers although their parents wanted them to be doctors, their song “Bent” officially going GOLD, getting Sexyy Red on the remix, best advice from Busta Rhymes and Jadakiss, upcoming music video for their collaboration song “B.A.S” with Megan Thee Stallion featured on her latest...

Dennis McDonald skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in the South Bronx playing sports, attending the Boys and Girls Club as a youth, becoming an actor at age 15 while being a teen parent, landing his role as Reggie in the Bad Boys films franchise, military and martial arts training to prepare for the role in the latest film, advice to inspiring actors, best fan encounters, and plans for upcoming roles and films. 

“You only good as what you negotiate” ~ RecoHavoc 

Philly artist #RecoHavoc skips class with Emani Kash of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in Philly, rapping since age 12, signing a major record deal, going back independent, past life as a DJ, using music as therapy, and his new single “Circles”.

Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL of The Progress Report Podcast share their thoughts and opinions on gymnast Jordan Chiles getting her medal snatched away, the viral Australian break dancer, Caresha speaks out finally, and more!

“If you got some money and some motion, you not supposed to be in Memphis” ~ Jay Fizzle

Paper Route Empire artist #JayFizzle returns to Skipping Class to speak with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report about his debut album, ‘Who Is Grizzape’, featuring his 10th baby mama on the project, music with his son’s and daughter’s, aiming for 50 kids, child support issues, Ralo and 03Greedo first day out experiences, Paper Route Tour coming up, support from Deion Sanders and his family for Young Dolph and his kids, plans for reality TV, and linking with Key Glock, Kenny...

“The Progress Report was one of the first places that made me feel like somebody when I get interviewed, that made me feel like I was somebody back in the day” ~ Zaytoven

The Progress Report media coorspondent Mik Fly caught up with the trap music legend himself #Zaytoven to get his thoughts on the current state of the music industry, upcoming business endeavors, and project announcements. 

“Sometimes, I don’t even know what I do… I’m just supporting my friends” ~ Nuface

Hip Hop historian #NuFace joins Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about originally being from Detroit and relocating to Atlanta after experiencing Freaknik, looking up to the blue print of Clarence Alexander Avant, attending Clark Atlanta University and seeing and meeting a lot of Hip Hop acts for his first time, believing in artists early, the importance of checking in on strong friends, offers ideas for...

“You need a team for sure” ~ BHM Pezzy 

Atlanta, GA artist #BHMPezzy skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about being raised by his grandmother, his experience signing to a major record label as a teen, almost quitting music, his close relationship with God, preferences in women and not minding soft BBLs, shares why he wouldn’t sign with Gucci Mane, issues with “Webbie Flow” sample, upcoming project ‘12 Shades Of Grey’, and music with music producer Forever Rolling, and investments outside of music.