Kenneth Partridge

Billboard.com Contributor

Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson and Jimmy Jam in 1987.

Jimmy Jam Opens Up About the Making of Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814'

September 18, 2019 2:25 PM EDT

In 1989, as the world was going to hell, Janet Jackson was coming into her own. The pop star's ascent and the planet's downward slide intersected neatly on Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, a socially conscious, sonically adventurous, commercially massive album released 30 years ago on Sept. 19, 1989.

Dicky Barrett of the Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Festivals

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones on Expanding Their Ska Festival In Its Second Year

July 24, 2019 12:50 PM EDT

For years, Dicky Barrett kicked around the idea of starting a music festival.

Rock

Brian Setzer Talks Stray Cats Reunion, Premieres New Tune 'Rock It Off'

April 25, 2019 12:00 PM EDT

Four decades later, Stray Cats are ready to “Rock It Off” with the same three basic ingredients they’ve always used: Setzer’s twangy Gretsch guitar, drummer Slim Jim Phantom’s elemental thumping and Lee Rocker’s expertly slapped upright bass.

Rock

Beyond 'Eileen,' Ted Leo Lays Out Why Dexys Midnight Runners Are Worth Your Time

March 15, 2019 3:58 PM EDT

Like most Americans, acclaimed indie rocker Ted Leo discovered Dexys Midnight Runners through their 1982 smash "Come On Eileen." And then like most Americans, he promptly forgot about them.

Rock

The Specials Talk Reunion Album & Recording With Viral Activist Saffiyah Khan

January 22, 2019 5:33 PM EST

The Specials didn’t need anyone to validate Encore, their first album of new material since 1980 or 1998, depending on how you count.

Rock

Why the Bangles, Dream Syndicate & Others Want the Paisley Underground to Rise Again

November 14, 2018 12:05 PM EST

Before they became MTV darlings in the mid-’80s, The Bangles played Beatlesque pow

Hip-Hop

Social House Bring Smiles & Energy to Billboard Lounge in Barclays Center

November 03, 2018 2:25 PM EDT

Performing Friday night (Nov. 2) at the Billboard Lounge in Brooklyn's Barclays Center, where the hometown Nets had just fallen to the Rockets 119–111, the duo of Michael "Mikey" Foster and Charles "Scootie" Anderson were all smiles and bubbly energy.