The Progress Report Podcast

Flint, Michigan rapper Louie Ray joins Lalaa Shepard for a new episode of Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report Media Group for a revealing conversation about his independent journey, family, relationships, the Flint rap movement, and his evolution as an artist and businessman. Louie Ray opens up about learning how to make money independently after making mistakes early in his career and explains why he is now open to signing the right record deal. He also breaks down the cultural and musical differences between Flint and Detroit, describing Detroit’s sound as more polished while Flint maintains the rawness that helped make its music stand out. The conversation gets personal when Louie Ray discusses his blood brother Rio Da Yung OG and reveals that despite living only minutes away from each other, they did not truly connect until they were teenagers. He reflects on the years they missed growing up together, what they have taught each other, realizing how much they need one another, seeing Rio return home from prison, and whether fans could eventually get a joint project from the brothers. Louie Ray also speaks about working with Babyfxce E on “BBL,” the massive success of his 2020 record “Coochie” during the COVID era, his love and support for fellow Flint artists and boxing champion Claressa Shields, and even shows off his massive 500-gram chain. Toward the end of the conversation, Louie Ray gets vulnerable about how his grind has affected his personal life, missing out on love, prioritizing his family, and what “progress” means to him today. Watch the full episode of Skipping Class with Louie Ray and tap in with The Progress Report Media Group for more exclusive conversations with the artists shaping the culture. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louieray__/ https://www.instagram.com/lalaashep/ https://www.instagram.com/theprogressreport101/ https://www.instagram.com/tprmediagroup1/ Website: https://TPRMediaGroup.com Listen to us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progress-report-podcast/id1494070183 Listen to us on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/5sBgF6wWa7NmHraP2QuBEv?si=a0f5f19b8a494fb5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I’m so happy I stayed in my marriage” ~ Amy Luciani Amy Luciani returns to Skipping Class for an honest conversation about how much life has changed since her last sit-down with Lalaa Shepard. Now approaching two years of marriage to Dwight Howard, Amy opens up about why she chose to stay in her marriage, taking accountability for her own mistakes, navigating their marital issues publicly, and learning to tune out outside opinions. She also reflects on becoming a stepmother to Dwight’s five children, wanting children of her own, and why she says, “Me and my husband is what matters, you not gon’ beat the media.” Amy also introduces her children’s book, Bad Touch, Good Touch, created to help children and families understand appropriate and inappropriate touching. She explains why she held onto the book for two years before releasing it, the personal experiences behind its message, and the importance of giving children language to protect themselves. From Detroit to entrepreneurship, music, marriage, motherhood and personal growth, Amy Rose Howard is in a completely different chapter — and this conversation gets into the reality behind it. Watch the new episode of Skipping Class with Amy Luciani now on The Progress Report. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amylucianiworld/ https://www.instagram.com/lalaashep/ https://www.instagram.com/theprogressreport101/ https://www.instagram.com/tprmediagroup1/ Website: https://TPRMediaGroup.com Listen to us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progress-report-podcast/id1494070183 Listen to us on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/5sBgF6wWa7NmHraP2QuBEv?si=a0f5f19b8a494fb5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Major Nine, also known as Chad Thomas, joins Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report for a new episode of Skipping Class to discuss his journey from football to establishing himself as an artist, songwriter, producer, and independent creative. The former Cleveland Browns player reflects on his passion for both music and sports, playing football at the University of Miami, his perspective on NIL deals, and showing love to rising Miami star Malachi Toney. Major Nine also looks back on taking music seriously while still in high school, going from performing for $300 and a bottle to building an independent career and eventually being honored with his own street in Liberty City, just blocks away from where he once washed cars. Major Nine gets into his writing and production bag, discussing co-producing Rick Ross’ “Apple of My Eye” featuring Raphael Saadiq and writing his collaboration with Chris Brown and Young Thug. He also speaks on the lessons he’s learned throughout the music industry, his independent grind, and drawing inspiration from Miami legend JT Money. The conversation gets personal as Major Nine breaks down his latest project, Lil Tape 3, including the meaning behind the Lil Tape series and “Aisha,” a vulnerable record inspired by the day he learned his mother had passed. He opens up about using music as therapy, keeping himself grounded as he reaches new levels, holding people accountable, and maintaining his priorities throughout his journey. Listen to Skipping Class on all streaming platforms and watch the full episode now at http://TPRMediaGroup.com. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/major_nine/ https://www.instagram.com/lalaashep/ https://www.instagram.com/theprogressreport101/ https://www.instagram.com/tprmediagroup1/ Website: https://TPRMediaGroup.com Listen to us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progress-report-podcast/id1494070183 Listen to us on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/5sBgF6wWa7NmHraP2QuBEv?si=a0f5f19b8a494fb5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

East Atlanta rapper Lil Quill returns to Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report for an in-depth conversation with Lalaa Shepard about his growth, independence, brotherhood, and the new chapter of his career. Lil Quill reflects on finally finding confidence in his music and preparing to release his 10th project, DEQUILLIUS. Now fully independent, he breaks down what he learned from his previous label experiences, the realities of advances and workload, and why he feels equipped to handle his career on his own. During the conversation, Quill addresses his history with Gucci Mane, including making it clear that his success and jewelry today are his own while still acknowledging the role Gucci played in helping bring him to a larger audience. He also opens up about his relationship with Hoodrich Pablo Juan, revealing that the two weren’t seeing eye to eye for a period of time before Quill and Yung Mal ultimately performed at Pablo Juan’s 2025 Welcome Home Concert. Quill speaks on their reunion, an upcoming collaboration with Pablo Juan, and getting back to where things started. Quill also reflects on his longtime brotherhood with Yung Mal, how the two made it out while watching others around them fall victim to the streets, and why he credits Mal for being the big brother in their relationship. He shares when fans could finally hear another Mal & Quill collaborative project after nearly eight years. Elsewhere, Lil Quill talks about going viral for getting fresh in Walmart clothes, the meaning behind his Blessed Lil Bastards imprint, showing younger people a better path, being a father figure despite not having children of his own, his niece roasting him over his veneers, his growth outside of East Atlanta, and becoming more intentional about taking care of himself. After years of interviews with The Progress Report, Lil Quill also admits there was a time when he would show up too high to really talk — and explains what he wants listeners to take away from this new era: growth. Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report Subscribe to The Progress Report for more exclusive interviews, independent artist stories, music conversations, and Atlanta culture. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lil.quill/ https://www.instagram.com/lalaashep/ https://www.instagram.com/theprogressreport101/ https://www.instagram.com/tprmediagroup1/ Website: https://TPRMediaGroup.com Listen to us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progress-report-podcast/id1494070183 Listen to us on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/5sBgF6wWa7NmHraP2QuBEv?si=a0f5f19b8a494fb5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I don't force creativity, it shows in the product” ~ Yung Lan Multi-platinum producers Yung Lan and BeatMonster Marc sit down with Lalaa Shepard for a new episode of Skipping Class presented by The Progress Report Media Group for an in-depth conversation about their brotherhood, longevity in the music industry, the evolution of music production, and their upcoming collaborative album, Back to the Future. Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Yung Lan grew up heavily influenced by the Atlanta sound and eventually connected with Atlanta producer BeatMonster Marc through social media. Marc, whose history in Atlanta music dates back to the D4L and Shawty Lo era and includes working around the Rich Kidz movement, showed love to the young producer and helped open doors for him early in his career. Years later, their relationship has grown beyond music into a genuine brotherhood while both have continued building extensive production catalogs. Throughout the episode, Yung Lan and BeatMonster Marc reflect on producing records for artists including Fetty Wap, NBA YoungBoy, Rich Homie Quan, Young Dolph, Blac Youngsta, Lil Uzi Vert, Moneybagg Yo, 2 Chainz and more. They also revisit the massive success of Blac Youngsta’s “Booty,” which they produced together, and discuss the impact a life-changing record can have on a producer’s career. Yung Lan even shares the full-circle story of gifting his barber a plaque after his barber originally introduced him to Blac Youngsta. Yung Lan also opens up about selling his music catalog for seven figures while still owning his masters, managing other producers, and why he believes producers today face a very different industry than the one he and Marc entered. The conversation gets into producer advances, loop makers, creativity, being placed into musical boxes, crossing over into country music, and what producers can do differently to create longevity. The two also break down their upcoming album, Back to the Future, a project produced and curated by Yung Lan and BeatMonster Marc that reconnects with the energy of Atlanta’s futuristic era. The project brings together artists including Travis Porter, J Money, OJ Da Juiceman, the late Rich Homie Quan, Cashout, Yung LA, Young Cooley, Hollywood YC, Bandit Gang Marco and more. BeatMonster Marc reflects on producing records for the late Rich Homie Quan, while Yung Lan remembers meeting the late Tay Keith when he was still a college student and reflects on his passing. They also discuss hearing their music on the radio for the first time, life outside of the studio, family, creativity, and what “progress” means to them at this stage of their careers. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yunglan/ https://www.instagram.com/beatmonster_marc/ https://www.instagram.com/lalaashep/ https://www.instagram.com/theprogressreport101/ https://www.instagram.com/tprmediagroup1/ Website: https://TPRMediaGroup.com Listen to us on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-progress-report-podcast/id1494070183 Listen to us on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/5sBgF6wWa7NmHraP2QuBEv?si=a0f5f19b8a494fb5 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices