Pop Hunks

Popular music is filled with good looking men. These guys not only sing (or rap) well, they have undeniable star power. They make us want to watch their videos, buy their albums and see them in concert. Here is my list of some of the hottest guys in pop music (in no particular order):

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Justin Timberlake
Finally back on the music scene after a long hiatus, it almost seems like he never left. He can act, sing, dance, play instruments and be funny on Saturday Night Live. He is a modern day Renaissance man. Essential songs: Suit and Tie, Rock Your Body

Adam Levine
One of the coaches on The Voice, as well as the lead singer for pop-funk group Maroon 5. He is very gay friendly and has been known to take off his shirt & more for videos and photo shoots. Essential songs: Moves Like Jagger, This Love

Usher
Like JT, he’s had a decently long career since his teens. Now also on The Voice, he is a consummate entertainer and wows us with his dance moves and sexy songs. Essential songs: DJ Got Us Falling in Love, Scream

Drake
Originally from Canada, he first got a taste of stardom as an actor on Degrassi: The Next Generation. But it’s his rapping skills that have taken him to the top of the charts.
Essential songs: Find Your Love, Take Care

Enrique Iglesias
Son of famous father Julio Iglesias, Enrique is a star in his own right. Whether he is singing in English, Spanish, or Spanglish, he sounds and looks good in any language. Essential songs: Rhythm Divine, I Like It

Jack Johnson
Hawaiian-born surfer Jack Johnson is a singer-songwriter, filmmaker and musician known for his work in the soft rock and acoustic genres. Essential songs: Sitting, Wishing, Waiting; Gone,

Ricky Martin
Another force to be reckoned with, he has done everything from boy bands (Menudo) to soap operas (General Hospital) to Broadway (Evita). Ever since he shook his bon-bons on the Grammy Awards, he has been making waves. And now he is a proud out gay man to boot. Essential songs: Cup of Life, Livin’ La Vida Loca

Bruno Mars
Inspired by the past, but definitely very contemporary, Bruno has made a big splash on the pop charts in the last few years. Plus he writes a lot of his own stuff. Essential songs: Locked Out of Heaven, Grenade

John Mayer
Having dated a who’s who of female celebrities (Jennifer Anniston, Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Katy Perry), Mr. soft-rock guitar guy comes across as a sensitive poet in his songs. Essential songs: Daughters, Waiting on the World to Change

The Wanted
Boy bands are back, and for me, this is the sexier of the 2 new groups on the scene (the other being One Direction). They have a new reality show on the E Network too. Essential songs: Glad You Came, I Found You

Pitbull
Chrome-dome ‘Mr. World Wide’ has found a successful formula for pop-rap dance hits. And don’t get me started on the bugle in his pants, he’s got some fans because of it. Essential songs: I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho), Give Me Everything

Daughtry
Lead singer of the hard rock band that bears his name, he is also an American Idol finalist. Plus he has gotten in great shape in the past year, if you follow him on Facebook. Essential songs: Home, Feels Like Tonight

Ne-Yo
A successful singer, composer, and dancer, plus he is getting into acting too. He can love you all night long. Essential songs:  So Sick, Let Me Love You

Miguel
Not very well known outside of R&B circles, but his appearance at the Grammy’s this year definitely raised his profile. Plus he is on Mariah Carey’s new single “#Beautiful.” Essential songs: Adorn, Sure Thing

98 Degrees
Reunited and it feels so good. They are part of The Package Tour this summer with Boyz II Men and New Kids on the Block. Hunky brothers (Drew and Nick Lachey) lead up this group that also features Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. Essential songs: The Hardest Part, Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)

New Kids on the Block
They just released their new CD “10” and are headlining a big summer tour. Donnie Wahlberg, Jordan Knight and Joey McIntyre lead up this group of grown men on the block. Essential songs: You Got It (The Right Stuff), Please Don’t Go Girl

Jon Bon Jovi
Also big on the tour circuit this spring and summer, Jon brings his namesake band out for a tour in support of their latest CD “What About Now”. Plus he fits in some acting when he can (New Year’s Eve). Essential songs: Blaze of Glory, Wanted Dead or Alive

So that’s my list. Did I leave anyone out? Let me know your thoughts.

KiltManinSoCal is a Los Angeles-based writer and designer. Be sure to check out the latest T-Shirts for sale here, including Marriage Equality and  Rock the Kilt lines. They make great gifts for friends, family and loved ones.

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J Lo and Enrique: Latin Pop Royalty

Jennifer Lopez and Enrique Iglesias in Concert
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Staples Center

Special guest: Frankie J

Songs performed: Tonight (I’m Loving You), I Like How it Feels, Dirty Dancer, No Me Digas Que No, Bailamos, Stand By Me, Ring My Bells, Hero, Be with You, Escape, I Like It, Tonight (I’m Fucking You)  (Enrique Iglesias); Get Right, Love Don’t Cost a Thing, I’m into You, Waiting for Tonight, Goin’ In, I’m Real/All I Have/Ain’t It Funny, Jenny from the Block, Baby I Love You (video), Hold It Don’t Drop It, If You Had My Love, Until it Beats No More, Let’s Get Loud, Papi, On the Floor, Dance Again, Follow the Leader (w/ Wisin & Yandel) (Jennifer Lopez)

Comments: Latin pop royalty Enrique Iglesias and Jennifer Lopez played to a packed house at Staples Center. Both are coming off good years as far as their careers are concerned. This is definitely one of the hottest shows you will see this year.

Opening act Frankie J was decent. He replaced previously announced act, Wisin & Yandel, who backed out of the tour due to concerns about set length. He did a cover of Extreme’s “More Than Words.” And sang a new song in Spanish.

Enrique Iglesias was up next. I had seen Enrique before back on the “Escape” tour as well as meeting him at an autograph signing. He has improved his stage presence since I last saw him. He was running around the stage and working the crowd. He picked a guy out of the crowd and sang with and to him on Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.” He said it was the first song he loved to sing when he was a kid. Turns out the guy was gay and liked another guy in the audience. They also took a shot of rum before the song (the brand that Enrique shills for “Atlantico”). “I Like How it Feels” another recent collaboration with Pibull was played as well as the album track “Ring My Bells” from his flop “Insomniac” album. He must like Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” because they played an extended intro to “Be With You” that featured that song. For “Hero”, he was on a small stage on the opposite side of the main stage. He pulled a girl out of the crowd to sing to her. Turns out she was married, but she had  a ”Hall Pass” for the night, and kept hugging him. Enrique wanted the crowd to surround the stage more, but Staples security was not letting that happen, despite a few pleas from Enrique. They had the disco ball overhand for lighting. Behind the main stage were 3 large horizontal video screens, which displayed graphic elements to highlight the songs. There were a lot of lasers and smoke effects during his show. He shot off confetti cannons during the “Escape” number. I wish he had done “Rhythm Divine,“ but he didn’t that night. Usher was shown on video for the duet of “Dirty Dancer.” “I Like It” was the highlight of his set.  And they launched a bunch of big balloons for the crowd to bounce around during “I Like It.” I am glad that he sang the dirty version of ‘Tonight (I’m Loving You).” That is the version I am more familiar with. I had to laugh when I saw a little girl with a homemade sign coming into the venue that had “Enrique” in a big heart, with the words on the outside of the sign saying “Tonight, I’m Loving You.” Did the parents not know about the dirty version? He is a solid entertainer for sure…. But he’s got nothing on Jennifer. Remember how Enrique was going to tour with Britney Spears in 2011, but said he didn’t want to be anyone’s opening act? He was this time for Jennifer.