Billy, who holds a B.A. in Public Relations and Professional Writing from California State University, San Bernardino, brings to M&R more than 18 years experience as a senior editor for Yahoo Music as well as contributing writer and reporter roles for Entertainment Weekly, The Hollywood Reporter and Vibe, among other outlets. Billy began his career in entertainment journalism in 1989 when at 19 he began writing the fan club newsletter for J.J. Fad, the Grammy-nominated female rap group signed to Ruthless Records. The following year, he became the production assistant at the Riverside Black Voice News where he advanced to Entertainment Editor and Editor in Chief. In 1994, he was hired as Managing Editor for Rap Sheet Newspaper where he worked until joining LAUNCH in 1998, two years before it was acquired by Yahoo.