Episodes
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. 
Published 08/27/24
“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”.
Published 08/27/24
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!
Published 08/26/24
“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...
Published 08/21/24
“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. 
Published 08/17/24
“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...
Published 08/15/24
“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,...
Published 08/14/24
Compton, California artist #KlovisKhepri skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up on the West Coast, receiving a college scholarship to play football, creating feel good music that speaks to the soul, shares his thoughts on the Kendrick Lamar & Drake rap beef, and speaks on the importance of artist accolades such as Grammy Awards. 
Published 08/14/24
Independent artist #MyyaP skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about coming up on the East side of Milwaukee, learning how to rap from her older brother, writing her own music, 30 day tour with Veeze, and plans for music with Anycia, Sexyy Red, and Lakeyah. 
Published 08/10/24
“In this world its good and bad, you gotta pick which one you is” ~ Baby Zay Baby Zay skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up in Atlanta, GA, recently getting released from prison after serving one year, taking a 2 year sentence for his former friend that snitched on him, starting out being an music engineer and coming up with super producer ATL Jacob, taking music serious after his first recording session at Patchwerk Studios, linking with DJ Swamp...
Published 08/08/24
“Hard work beats talent, them long nights gon pay off” ~ AMG Twinz The AMG Twinz skip class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about originally being from Columbus, GA and relocating to Atlanta in Highschool, getting introduced to rapping from their uncle at age 13, changing their rap name, avoiding bad record deals, relationships with Young Thug and Karlae, upcoming performances on Metro Boomin and Future’s ‘We Trust You Tour’, and plans for their upcoming album. 
Published 08/07/24
“I just stay away from these b*tches” ~ Quezz Ruthless 22 years old rapper #QuezzRuthless skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about coming up in Memphis, TN, support from the city and other rappers, the importance of moving away from the city after becoming famous, coping with death, and unreleased music with Big Scarr.
Published 08/05/24
Quana Bandz skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about her upbringing in Atlanta, experiencing different sides and eventually getting kicked out of Atlanta public schools, being around NBA YoungBoy and starting to rap, meeting Lil Keed and eventually having a daughter named Naychur. Quana also shares intimate details of her relationship with the late rapper Lil Keed, having a miscarriage before his funeral, receiving support from his family, her new single “Fat A$$”,...
Published 07/29/24
2 time Olympic gold medal champ and only female to hold undisputed world titles in three weight divisions, the one and only Claressa Shields hosts a public workout in Atlanta, GA at Hitsville gym and speaks with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report about other women in sports that she likes to watch, recalls her father originally not wanting her to box because she was a female, giving back to her community and kids, recalls walking out with Detroit’s own Kash Doll last year and this year she...
Published 07/25/24
“If you are independent or signed, there’s no difference in the work you have to do” ~ Ray Daniels Ray Daniels makes his debut on Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about being self-taught, originally being from the East Coast by the way of Atlanta, GA now. Ray speaks on his journey in the music business and how the game is shifting, being a superhero for black people through his podcast, the importance of...
Published 07/22/24
“Gucci Mane told me, I want to get you out of your environment, you remind me of me” ~ FTO Sett FTO Sett makes his debut on Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report with Lalaa Shepard to speak about growing up in South Vegas, Memphis, cutting off his hair, growing up with Pooh Shiesty and Big Scarr, FTO name meaning, giving back to his community, releasing one song before getting signed by Gucci Mane, and his new EP ‘King Crook’. 
Published 07/15/24
“I’m not gatekeeping the game, I'm passing it down” ~ Big Trap StickLife CEO Big Trap skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about becoming the CEO of StickLife Productions, originally wanting to be a rapper growing up and wanting to provide opportunities for upcoming artists through his production company, growing up in Decatur, GA, having his first child at age 16, shares how he is related to rapper Peewee Longway, and background serving in the military. 
Published 07/13/24
Roofs by Don speaks on transitioning from just being an artist to creating his own roofing business, missing out on a $3,000 Rick Ross feature before understanding the music business, tips for successful entrepreneurs, and more!
Published 07/13/24
“I know how much everyone is a fan of him… never in my life did I think I would wake up and say I gotta Chris Brown feature” ~ Skylar Blatt Cincinnati, Ohio artist #SkylarBlatt makes her debut on Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report Podcast with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about her upbringing in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, goals to give back to the community, love for gaming, her sexuality and preferences when dating, background in sports, offers advice...
Published 07/11/24
“Being signed to a label really slowed me down” ~ Co Cash Memphis rapper #CoCash skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about being born and raised in Memphis, becoming a rapper and rebranding with a new name, his relationship with other Memphis rappers, comparisons musically to Da Baby and Young Dolph, still feeling underrated and under heard, being health conscious and no longer eating meat or smoking, fatherhood and being a girl dad, and his upcoming self-titled...
Published 07/08/24
20 year old artist #LayBankz makes her debut on Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about growing up in Philly, dancing, singing since age 3, rapping since age 15, breaks down the differences from club music in different cities, upcoming music with Latto and best advice, thoughts on Enchanting passing and their last conversation, TikTok helping her music career, and her 2 projects ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘After 7’. 
Published 07/01/24
20 year old artist #LayBankz makes her debut on Lunch Table Talk presented by The Progress Report with hosts Lalaa Shepard, Boss Britt, and DJ eXeL to speak about growing up in Philly, dancing, singing since age 3, rapping since age 15, breaks down the differences from club music in different cities, upcoming music with Latto and best advice, thoughts on Enchanting passing and their last conversation, TikTok helping her music career, and her 2 projects ‘Now You See Me’ and ‘After 7’. 
Published 07/01/24
Pennsylvania rapper Johnny Mase skips class with Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report to speak about growing up with his grandparents since his parents were on drugs, fatherhood and raising a boy, inspiration from Mac Miller, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa, linking with DJ Holiday, and upcoming tour with Montana 300. 
Published 06/29/24
“Stay prayed up” ~ K Carbon 22 year old rapper #KCarbon 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 her new EP ‘Diary of a Hustler’, Memphis upbringing and family support for her career, receiving love from Gangsta Boo before her untimely passing, relationships with Glorilla, Gloss Up, Slimeroni, Aleza, and other female artists, hopping in friends beefs, plastic surgery, and message to her day one...
Published 06/25/24