The Progress Report Podcast

The Progress Report Podcast

The Progress Report is more than media—it’s a movement. Founded in Atlanta, we are a premier hip-hop platform dedicated to documenting the culture, amplifying untold stories, and championing the voices that shape the streets and the sound. Through raw interviews, real conversations, and unapologetic content, we bridge the gap between underground talent and mainstream recognition. We don’t chase clout—we create impact. Our mission is to give artists and creatives the space to speak their truth, share their grind, and inspire progression. From breaking new music to covering industry trends, The Progress Report is trusted by artists, respected by fans, and rooted in authenticity. This is where hustle meets media. This is The Progress Report.

Episodes

Flexxx360 speaks on growing up in an African household, battle rapping, L.L. Cool J co-sign

June 27, 2025 • 16 mins
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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Yung Drama addresses how he got pulled into Ca$h Out’s state RICO case, 85K lawyer, relating to Gunna

June 24, 2025 • 23 mins
“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 sit...
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Riley Burruss speaks on being inspired by her mom Kandi Burruss, Reality TV, misconceptions, law school

June 24, 2025 • 13 mins
“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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Cleveland, Ohio rapper Cartier addresses comparisons to Skilla Baby, “You Look Good” blowing up

June 18, 2025 • 19 mins
“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...
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Ferrari Simmons & BT speak on having the # 1 afternoon radio show in ATL, Atlanta media, female vs male rappers, balancing love & work

June 16, 2025 • 51 mins
“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 o...
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Daysha Taylor explains why she went solo from Taylor Girlz, Cardi B normalizing motherhood at the prime of female rappers careers

June 14, 2025 • 21 mins
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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Atlanta rapper Lil Tim addresses people confusing him with Quando Rondo’s cousin Luh Tim, YNs

June 12, 2025 • 15 mins
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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Matt Barnes speaks on his mental health, NBA finals predictions, learning from Dwyane Wade and Zaya

June 9, 2025 • 10 mins
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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R&B group 2BYG speak on advice received from Teddy Riley, R&B music not dead, sings live

June 5, 2025 • 19 mins
“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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Sexton speaks on coming from Australia, unreleased music with Lil Keed, race affecting her career

June 4, 2025 • 23 mins
“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...
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Tristan Wilds reflects on his role as Michael on ‘The Wire’, transition from acting to becoming a musician

June 3, 2025 • 5 mins
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 speaks on embracing Bankroll Fresh, reuniting with B.G., Mannie Fresh, Lil Wayne, Juvie

June 2, 2025 • 8 mins
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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Zaytoven introduces his son/ artist ZAYSKII, remembers Young Scooter, producing “WHIM WHAMIEE”

June 2, 2025 • 26 mins
“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, c...
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Belly Gang Kushington addresses growing up in a black household, raising a son with autism, ATL roots

May 20, 2025 • 46 mins
“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 leavin...
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An update from Free (106 & Park) 25 years of 106, women in music, Outkast Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!

May 12, 2025 • 6 mins
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 ...
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OMG Girlz speak on winning $71.1 million lawsuit, girls to women, motherhood, upcoming album

May 8, 2025 • 28 mins
“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”,...
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Former NFL Defensive End Tarell Basham AKA Bash93 speaks on career transition from athlete to artist

May 5, 2025 • 24 mins
“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 b...
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Q Parker of 112 recalls signing to Diddy, Angie Stone passing, going solo, making $ off old music catalog

May 1, 2025 • 49 mins
“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 ear...
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Wayno addresses “Everyday Struggle” podcast ending, calls out Kanye’s cap, “remember him/ her rappers”

April 28, 2025 • 72 mins
“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 journe...
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Trinidad James speaks on being a creative director for Sexyy Red, criticism for wearing nails, music

April 26, 2025 • 40 mins
“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 s...
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