(We’re back with another weekly installment of G.W.W.E [Guys We Want to Eff]. Looking for a fella who has smart taste, style, and talent to boot? Check out Mos Def, our main rapper/actor we wanna eff!)

I have to confess that I’m a sucker for talent. I mean, who isn’t? If all these dancing/singing/acting/yadda yadda reality shows are doing so well, then the American public is certainly thirsty for some grade-A pizzazz. But while the hometown hotties on such shows are nice, what’s really effable is someone who’s taken time to hone their skills and grow into the limelight. A self-made man. And who’s a better example of that than Mos Def?

This week, he’s totally tops on my effable charts.

The Brooklyn hip-hop lyricist, born Dante Terrell Smith, first started recording music alongside his brother and sister as part of a group called Urban Thermal Dynamics. He has since broken off as a solo artist, and his 1999 album Black on Both Sides was his breakout achievement. He has also collaborated with such big names as Talib Kweli, Kanye West, and Common. And his slick, sexy, introspective side acquired a lot of recognition for his work on Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry on HBO. Confidence + smooth delivery= ultra-effability.

But that’s not all. He’s a respected actor whose Hollywood resume includes roles on The Chappelle Show, The Italian Job, and the newest Michel Gondry flick, Be Kind Rewind. Mos Def has been nominated for an Emmy, a Golden Globe, and multiple Grammys. Yeah, you could say he knows his way around the entertainment industry. Meow!

Mos Def’s newest film, Cadillac Records, opens today. How am I excited? Let me count the ways: 1) It’s a ’50s period piece (retro movies are always fun), 2) there’s sure to be a great soundtrack (it’s about a recording studio!) and 3) Mos Def plays Chuck Berry, the dynamic early rock-n-roll star. So while my man will be singing “Johnny B. Goode,” I’ll be thinking: Mos Def, be good to me tonight!

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Common wants to becomes the next Christian Bale.

Angelina looks beyond sexy schmoozing on the Today Show.

Scary Spice is back to being very scary.

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Christina Aguilera looks like a tranny.

Google is about to crush the iPhone!

Not everyone is a gym freak. As a matter of fact, to some, the gym is like the plague. Working out takes serious motivation, time and dedication, and lifting weights in silence is even more painful, especially when the only noises are grunting meatheads. Yeah, no thank you.

Here are some tunes to block out those awkward noises and kick your ass into gear!

1. Headlights Look Like Diamonds– Arcade Fire

2. This Modern Love– Bloc Party

3. Freakum Dress– Beyonce (girl knows how to work it and you’ll wanna pull out your best drag queen moves after this song. Platforms are essential)

4. Bullet and a Target– Citizen Cope (the whole album is work out worthy)

5. Baby Makin’ Hips– Fantasia (please ignore the title, the song is all about the BEAT)

6. Hate On Me– Jill Scott (this is a good redemption tune)

7. Anything’s Possible– Johnny Lang (a young dude with the soul of an old man, this song will make you feel like you could move mountains, literally)

8. When Your Heart Stops Beating– Plus 44

9. Breakin’ Dishes– Rihanna (also a GREAT song to release any ‘boyfriend rage”)

10. I am Your Man– Ryan Shaw (it’s a good follow up so you don’t become a complete man-hater on the Elliptical)

11. In Love With A Girl– Gavin Degraw (glad you’re back Gavin! Grab his album on May 6th, it’s going to be SUPERB)

12. Drivin’ Me Wild– Common Ft. Lily Allen (great duet on so many levels)

And Cool Down with…

13. Everytime It Rains– Charlotte Martin (this song makes me smile like an idiot)

14. Silver Lining– Rilo Kiley

These tunes should be enough motivation for ya, now GO!

What tunes are on your “Work Out Playlist”?