The Progress Report Podcast

Michael V. Epps sits down with The Progress Report’s Skipping Class to talk about life growing up in Chicago, family support, and his journey in the spotlight as an actor on The Chi. In this interview, Michael opens up about mental health, navigating fame at a young age, and the comparisons to Mike Epps and Omar Epps. He also shares his experience making music, upcoming projects, and his signature sound. Tune in as we discuss:     •    His role as Jake on The Chi     •    Chicago culture and influences     •    New music and creative process     •    Collabs with cast members & upcoming releases     •    What the word “progress” means to him

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The Real Miss Baby Dee stops by The Progress Report for a raw and unfiltered Skipping Class interview! 🔥

She opens up about:

    •    Her debut project “Texas Bama” and linking with Bigga Rankin 🎶

    •    Life before music as a hair stylist (including working with Erica Banks) 💇🏾‍♀️

    •    Support from other female rappers and her upcoming collabs 💎

    •    Facing criticism for rapping about lady parts and embracing body confidence 👑

    •    Motherhood, BBLs, breast lift surgery, and navigating industry pressure 💃🏾

    •    Encouragement for single mothers raising kids with little support 💪🏾

    •    The independent grind, defining progress, and what’s next 🚀

“I’m back and better than ever” ~ RX Peso

Atlanta culture runs deep, and RX Peso is one of the names you can’t ignore. After serving nearly 4 years in prison, Peso sits down with The Progress Report to talk his comeback, music, and the city.

Topics include:

⚡ Fashion & setting trends in Atlanta

⚡ Addressing Future signing rumors

⚡ Creating YNs and what it means to the streets

⚡ Memories with Migos, 21 Savage & Lotto Savage

⚡ The emotional moment he learned about Takeoff’s passing

“Music is my anger management… it helps me cope” ~ Real Dinero

Cuthbert, GA artist Real Dinero joins Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report for a new edition of Skipping Class to share his journey from growing up listening to Boosie, Gucci Mane, Webbie, Waka Flocka to catching the attention of major record labels.In this exclusive interview, Real Dinero opens up about:   

 •    🎤 The meaning behind his name & past rap names    •    🌍 Coming from a small town 3 hours outside Atlanta    •    🔑 The differences between being signed to a major label vs. staying independent    •    🖤 His new project Anger Management and how music helps him cope    •    👨‍👧 Fatherhood and ra...

In this exclusive interview with The Progress Report, legendary DJ, podcaster, and cultural voice DJ Scream gets personal about his 1+ year of sobriety, early sacrifices to pursue his DJ dream, and the mental challenges of the music industry.

We dive into his unfiltered thoughts on Ca$h Out’s life sentence, the evolution of the Atlanta music scene, and lessons learned from building a brand that spans mixtapes, radio, and the hit show Big Facts Podcast.

📌 Highlights:

    •    How DJ Scream stayed sober for over a year

    •    Less...

“Everyday a holiday in my household… We still have our Christmas tree up” ~ Hot Boy Turk

In this exclusive Skipping Class interview, Hot Boy Turk opens up like never before — taking us from the legendary Cash Money Records era to the ups and downs of life, fatherhood, and music after prison.

🎤 Turk reflects on:

    •    The early Hot Boys days with Lil Wayne, Juvenile, and B.G.

    •    The real studio chemistry and wildest moments from their rise

    •    What really happened behind the scenes with Cash Money

    •    Prison time, m...

In this exclusive sit-down on Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report, rising star NGB Don sits with Lalaa Shepard to share how he turned his biggest insecurity—his speech impediment—into his superpower that’s now inspiring millions.

From blending comedy with music and breaking out with his hit single “Stutter” featuring Kevin Gates, to setting the internet on fire with “Ain’t My Kind,” NGB Don opens up about his viral journey, staying authentic, and carving his own lane in the entertainment industry.

We also get into his new partners...

Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report sits down with Tamika Scott of the legendary group Xscape and her daughter, rising rap star Young Niyah, in a new edition of Skipping Class for a powerful conversation about family, music, and building a legacy.

From Young Niyah turning down a full-ride college scholarship to pursue music, to Tamika Scott sharing the lessons she’s learned as an icon, this mother-daughter duo gets real about:

    •    Growing up around music and the pressures of being a celebrity’s child.

    •    The rise of female rappers and the changing landsca...

Dee Mula skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about coming up in Memphis, Tennessee, getting signed to NLess ENT, recently appearing on YTB Fatt’s new album, “Blow My High” song taking off on social media, being the first rapper to wear 2 watches at once, fatherhood and raising all boys and wanting a daughter.  

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“Social media f*cked the world up” ~ Bloody Jay

Atlanta living legend Bloody Jay skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about serving prison time during Covid, offers advice to parents coming home from prison, Bloody speaks on his mental health and life adjustments after serving 5 years behind bars, music with Future, Sauce Walka, OJ Da Juiceman, how he released music while in prison, relationships with other Atlanta rappers, details for his upcoming album with super producer Will A Fool, and defines our keyword “progress”.

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In this powerful episode of The Progress Report, we sit down with G and Clif Tha Supa Producer to explore their groundbreaking project “The Tour” — a movement blending hip hop, physical fitness, and mental health awareness.

During the episode we dive into:

    •    Their background as DJs and how the project was created

    •    The connection between hip hop culture and emotional healing

    •    Thoughts on YSL, Young Thug, and the politics of justice

    •    Their ties to the Department of Justice, Obama, and political aspirations

    •    Why they believe progress doesn’t always have to come with a cost...

“If you force feed your content, they will eventually have to give it a chance” ~ Fresco Trey 

Memphis, Tennessee artist Fresco Trey skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his journey to becoming an independent artist after being signed to a major record label, force feeding music to fans, independent checks, tour experience with DeeBaby on his Ms. Salazar Tour and upcoming tour with K Camp.

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African artist, music producer, and battle rapper, Flexxx360 skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about incorporating reggae into his music and recent singles, “S*x” sampling Mad Cobra and “Physical”, rapping since age 8, independent grind, and Roc Nation partnership.

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“Being a black man, you’re already a target” ~ Yung Drama

Yung Drama skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about how he got involved in rapper Ca$h Out’s state RICO case, serving as an artist liaison based out of North Carolina and Atlanta, Ca$h Out being in prison for over 5 years and being cellmates with YFN Lucci, fatherhood and having to get his son a therapist after dealing with such a traumatic situation, and defines our keyword “progress”. 

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“Next Gen NYC reality TV show has made me more aware of how people’s true colors can come out randomly” ~ Riley Burruss

Riley Burruss speaks with The Progress Report media correspondent MikFlyy about growing up in the public eye, being the child of a celebrity, ‘Next Gen NYC’ reality TV show, preparing to become an entertainment lawyer, and defines our keyword “progress”. 

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“The song “You Look Good” got way bigger than me, when the song was blowing up everybody was just looking up the song, not trying to see who made the song” ~ Cartier

21 year old rapper Cleveland, Ohio rapper Cartier skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about the lack of hometown support, always wanting to be a rapper and performer since age 4, making music for the ladies, ’Just Getting Started’ recently released project with features from Peezy, Bfb Da Packman, Bay Swag, and Skilla Baby, recent tour experience with Chicken P, offers ad...

“The algorithm has changed on social media, you are your own algorithm. People who be saying they’re shadow banned… No, you have to stimulate your followers” ~ Ferrari Simmons

Baller Alert Podcast hosts Ferrari Simmons & BT join Lalaa Shepard and DJ eXeL for a new edition of The Progress Report Podcast to speak about the hardships of working in radio full-time, having multiple streams of income within the same industry, thoughts on the current state of Atlanta music scene, men vs women controversy, and the importance of prioritizing family with hectic careers.

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I be doing numbers independently that people signed and lit aren’t doing” ~ Daysha Taylor 

Daysha Taylor skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about her new solo single, “Crown”, independent grind, Atlanta music scene, Live Nation distribution deal, embarrassing social experiment video, and defines our keyword “progress”. 

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19 year old rapper Lil Tim skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about switching up his sound from just creating drill music, fans leaking his music, shares how he spent his first rap check, lack of support from other rappers and OGs, and plans for his upcoming deluxe edition of his new project, ‘Timmy’s Revenge’. 

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Former NBA player Matt Barnes speaks with MikFlyy of The Progress Report at The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) in Atlanta, GA about his journey as a basketball player in college and professionally, learning to be a better person and father, the importance of protecting intellectual property, his podcast ‘All The Smoke’, and defines our keyword, “progress”. 

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“Yal ain’t never seen nobody dance like Michael Jackson, sing like Boyz 2 Men, and play all instruments like Mint Condition” ~ 2BYG

18 and 19 year old artists Matt Brown, Nixx, KD, and Toure skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about coming together back in High School in Fort Worth, Texas to form the group, 2BYG!

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“Be the real raw you in what you feel you are no matter what people project on you” ~ Sexton 

Up close and raw interview with Perth, Australian artist Sexton, known for her songs “Space” with TK Kravitz, “Do 4 It” with Too Short, and “How” with Lil Got It. During the episode, Sexton details her 30+ hour and 3 planes travel to the states from her hometown to pursue her music career dreams, getting introduced to music and American music, pushing through doubt about her music career, independent artist grind, and her new single, “FTT” featuring Fat Trel!

L...

The Progress Report media corespondent, MikFlyy, catches up with Grammy nominated actor and musician, Tristan Wilds at The Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA) in Atlanta, GA to speak about him growing up in Staten Island, New York, film roles, journey as a singer, and defines our keyword “progress”. 

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Hot Boy Turk reflects on reuniting with his brothers for the Cash Money Millionaires concert tour, reflects on his previous projects, pays homage to the late Atlanta rapper Bankroll Fresh, and he defines our keyword “progress”. 

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“A lot of times people think I’m turning up the younger generation but they really turning me up, giving me life all over again” ~ Zaytoven Super producer, Zaytoven and his first born son and artist ZAYSKII skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about the gift and curse of being the child of a celebrity, how they learn from each other, their church backgrounds and sobriety influencing their music careers, clearing the OJ Da Juiceman “Wham Bam’ song sample for the viral “WHIM WHAMIEE” song, thoughts on Gucci Mane’s live orchestra event in ATL, album colla...

“This [RAP] sh*t done became an easy lay up to get a check, I’m not here for a check, I’ve been running paper up before this… this my art for real” ~ Belly Gang Kushington

Atlanta rapper, Belly Gang Kushington makes his debut on The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard and DJ eXeL to speak about growing up in a black household on the West side of Atlanta, opens up about abandonment issues stemming for his mother leaving him at birth, influenced musically by Young Dro, the first rapper signed to LVRN record label, ent...

Free from 106 & Park visits Coalition DJs New Music Monday’s event in ATL at Outkast’s studio and chats briefly with The Progress Report host, Lalaa Shepard, about 2025 being the 25th anniversary for Free & AJ of 106 & Park and exciting plans to celebrate their impact on the culture! 0:05 Free from 106 & Park visits Coalition DJs New Music Monday’s event in ATL at Outkast’s studio 2:40 106 & Park history 3:17 Free’s first visit at Outkast’s studio in ATL (Stankonia) 3:56 introduction 4:26 mental head space 4:58 Outkast has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and 5:48 DJs support 6:50 women in media 8:06 what does our key...

“The lawsuit brought us back together in a sense and that’s really how we stayed sane during the process” ~ OMG Girlz

Zonnique, Bahja, and Bre skip class with Lalaa Shepard to speak about forming the OMG Girlz in 2009, relationship status with former member Reginae Carter, ATL roots, creating age appropriate music, musical growth from their first single “Gucci This (Gucci That)” to their latest singles “Motion” and “Make A Scene”, now writing their own music, coming back together after lawsuit initiated, seeing Domani, King, and Messiah Harris become dad’s, learning directly from R&B group, Xscape, and plans fo...

“Im like a black hippy, very peaceful very chill” ~ Bash93 Tarell Basham AKA Bash93 skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about getting into sports and being an athlete since a child, smoking weed with his mom openly as a teen, reflects on football career at Ohio University, NFL journey with Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Colts, New York Jets, and Tennessee Titans, having to go through therapy after being depressed after NFL career ended, becoming a full-time artist, and plans for his upcoming TV show/ podcast. Website: https://linktr.ee/TheProgressReportMediaGroup Listen to us on the...

“During the time of us rehearsing (112), we would watch Jodeci, Boyz 2 Men, Blackstreet and we would say that was going to be us one day” ~ Q Parker of 112 Q Parker of the legendary R&B group 112 skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about singing since age 4, discovering his voice at home with his mother, growing up COGIC in church, proud jock and scholar in High School, landing his record deal in the early 90s with Diddy, contract issues with 112 and eventually going solo, solo album ‘The MANual” which released in 2012, adjusting to the new era of m...

“Most rappers don’t make a lot of money… Being a rapper/ artist is like anybody else with a 9-5, you gon get what you put into that sh*t” ~ Wayno Music executive and content creator Wayno joins Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL for a new edition of Lunch Table Talk Presented by The Progress Report Podcast to speak about his Harlem and Bronx, NYC roots, recalls working in the mailroom of Roc-A-Fella Records starting his journey in the music business, formerly being a host on “Everyday Struggle” Podcast on Complex alongside Akademiks and Nadeska, learning directly from Coach K...

“My goal is to make music fun again in the A and just period” ~ Trinidad James Trinidad & Tobago born, Atlanta, GA raised artist, fashion designer, creative director, and song writer, Trinidad James skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his 13 year journey in the music industry, breaks down his new single “My Biggest Hater”, Covid experience and album flopping, putting 'Trinidad James music’ to the side for fashion, women basketball jacket collab, approving Bruno Mars sample, business deal with T.I.G. Records, writing songs for Cardi B, Offset, City Girls, Kevin Gates, Bhad Bhabie, de...

“I was 9 before I started writing my own verses” ~ Kai Ca$h

Brooklyn, NYC rapper Kai Ca$h skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about his newly released project, ‘CASH RULES’, landing a record deal with Generation Now courtesy of DJ Drama and Don Cannon, making his first song at age 7, parents funding his clothing career at age 14, experience attending 2 HBCU’s, publishing a book while in college to help with anxiety, reflects on being around Junior Mafia as a youth and CYN music collective with King Combs and Niko Brim...

“This rap stuff has been our plan, we just didn’t know who it would be” ~ Baby Kia/ Day 1 Lil Willie

18 and 19 year old Atlanta, GA rappers Baby Kia and Day1 Lil Willie skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about using music as therapy, YN misconceptions, no co-signs from major artists, support from Quavo (Migos), Bossman D Low, and Baby Drill, getting banned from performing at High Schools, getting inspiration from Gucci Mane and DMX, importance of DJs, and their most recent projects ‘Never Too Late’ and ‘KIA BOYZ’.

Tashera Simmons skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about how she celebrated her recent 54th birthday, releasing her new book, ‘Dying To Self’ 4 years since its original release date, letting go of distractions by fasting cold turkey, learning forgiveness through therapy, overcoming abandonment issues, motherhood, relating to Lauren London and Nipsey Hussle’s love story, knowing DMX since age 11 and dating him at age 17, toxic marriage and divorce, the music industry tearing DMX to pieces, and releasing music after an artist passes away.

Website:

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Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL get together for a new edition of Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report to speak about losing more rappers in Atlanta,

shady music business deals, backwards laws in America, Jazmine Cheaves and 600 Breezy love story goes left, Jacquees and Deiondra Sanders family drama, sobriety and more!

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“Being a rapper is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world… You gotta be on point at all times” ~ Montana 700

Montana 700 skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about the new Dallas movement, hardest adjustment to fame, ‘700 Reasons’ project, sampling Mannie Fresh, family support, and plans for his upcoming album. 

Website:

https://linktr.ee/TheProgressReportMediaGroup

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“F millions, let’s get billions together…” ~ DaphoDILL to Zaytoven

Hattiesburg, Mississippi artist DaphoDILL makes her return to Skipping Class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about landing a distribution deal with Zaytoven, 2 albums, ‘My Suicide Letter’ & ‘Anomalous’, and getting out of the military after toxic experience.

Website:

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“Being a real n*gga ain’t regular, its rare” ~ Gorilla Zoe

“Its chess not checkers, you got to play the game” ~ Jass Clutch

Henderson, North Carolina artist Jass Clutch and Atlanta, GA’s own Gorilla Zoe skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about their collab song, “Trap N*gga” which is a sample of Gorilla Zoe’s 2007 hit song, “Hood N*gga”. During the episode, Jass Clutch reflects on her journey to becoming a rapper after being a promoter, having features with Finesse2Tymes and Ralo, owners...

“I’ve always been working, its just figuring out the right formula… the public isn’t seeing you and what’s going on but all this time I've been correcting the recipe and having kids LOL” ~ Tiffany Evans

Songstress, actress, and writer, Tiffany Evans joins Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL for a new episode of The Progress Report Podcast where Tiffany opens up about her musical hiatus, living 9 lives after experiencing success and getting signed as a child star, being mishandled as a child with a powerful voice by her parents and music execs...