Summer’s coming, are you ready? You’re going to need some tunes to start the party and keep it going. So here are 13 indispensable party tracks for the summer of 2013—rapper teaming with country duo included. Click below to listen to the full set on Made Man’s Spotify.

“Started From the Bottom” by Drake
“Started From the Bottom” is the song that will have people lurching and jerking on the dance floor until the wee hours. The infectious, sideways twisted beat will get stuck in your brain for days and have you shaking your booty in your office chair just thinking about it.

“Wings” by Little Mix
From the second the horns kick in, you know you’ve got a bomb dance tune in the works. The beat is a stomper, so look for the ladies to be bouncing up and down before they’ve even cleaned the burgers off their paper plates. Think of Little Mix as 2013’s Spice Girls and then remember that, yes, you were known to lift a leg to their jams back in the day.

With its light R&B groove, “Suit and Tie” is perfect for taking things down a peg while keeping the party going. It’s smooth enough for adult conversation but funky enough for adult dancing.

“Remix (I Like The)” by New Kids on the Block
Don’t hate. This is a stone cold jam that will have you nostalgic for your wee years while also making booties bounce at your party. The kids have grown up and this classic R&B-influenced jam is the proof. What’s more, the ladies are going to love it. All you need to do is spend a little time indulging their tales of crushing on Joey McIntyre before leading them out to the dance floor to get better acquainted.

“Suit and Tie” by Justin Timberlake
Whether you’re having an outdoor barbecue or a grown-up cocktail party, this joint plays a key role your 2013 party mix. With its light R&B groove, it’s the perfect track for taking things down a peg or two while still keeping the party going. It’s smooth enough for adult conversation but funky enough for adult dancing.

“Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars
Listen, it’s 2013 and you just don’t have a party without a little Bruno Mars. Skip his most recent piano ballad and instead, hearken back to last autumn’s track, which fits much better during the summertime than it does when leaves are falling. It’s got an infectious beat that will have even the biggest of wallflowers moving around and feeling less self-conscious than ever.

“Cruise (Remix)” by Florida Georgia Line featuring Nelly
They’re a little bit country, he’s a little bit R&B. This tune’s going to satisfy your friends from the South and the backwoods as much as your friends from the big cities. Mark our words: it’s going to be synonymous with tipping a few beers and watching the sun go down this summer.

“Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
From the second that the piano hook drops, you know that this is one you’re going to remember for many summers to come. Macklemore might not be the critics’ darling, but your party guests are going to love it, even if they say otherwise.

Never let it be said that Macklemore doesn’t, um, embrace his fans…

“X You” by Avicii
No collection of summer fun songs would be complete without a little EDM. Avicii’s latest has dropped just in time for summer sun and fun. It’s a catchy, memorable track that’s perfect for a little dancing or just sitting back and having a conversation with friends over drinks.

“Endless Night” by Graveyard
A surprisingly upbeat number from the reigning kings of Swedish retro rock (sorry, Ghost BC), this is a great track to throw in when the crowd demands a rocker. The guitar tone is straight out of the summer of ’76, with clean vocals reminiscent of Robert Plant. Play this for your rock buddies and they’ll be talking about it around the water cooler on Monday.

“She Lied to the FBI” by The Alkaline Trio
Never mind that basically all their songs are suicide anthems of love and loss; the melodies and beats are so catchy that your partygoers aren’t going to notice. Throw this pop punk anthem on while you get the grill heated up and watch a bouncy energy cloak the crowd. It’s about a man going to jail for a woman, but no one will be the wiser.

“Full of Fire” by The Knife
The latest Knife album is honestly a bit of a downer of noisy electronic-influenced rock/rock-influenced electronica. The one high note? This funky little platter with a danceable groove straight out of 1983. It’s a bit weird but perfect for your friends who like weird. Add it to the mix and no one will miss a beat.

“Beyond the Flames” by Killswitch Engage
It’s metal, but it’s metal with melody and hooks to spare. Some of the ladies at your party might not be fans, but it’s a great way to get the energy going. This is a metal band with a decidedly modern sound and a track with a defiantly upbeat variety of anger.

“Better Off Now (That You’re Gone)” by Lady Antebellum
Country music is known more for weepy ballads and sob stories than upbeat numbers. This track is an exception. Sure, it’s a song about lost love. But rather than dwelling in the cellar of the lovelorn, it’s a triumphantly upbeat number about the one that did you a favor by getting away. Here’s to finding a far superior replacement around the bonfire while it plays in the background…

Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen

Sunscreen is seriously important in anyone’s skincare routine. Nothing will make you look older than sun damage. You might think that weathered skin will make you look distinguished and give you character, but picture Tanning Mom, not George Clooney.

It doesn’t take much to rub in some sunscreen before you head out for the day. If you’re going to spend time on the beach showing off the gun show or flashing your pecs, rub them down as well. You’ll be thankful when you’re 50.

Men Need to Moisturize Too

Image via Flickr by shawncampbell

You can easily kill two birds with one product. Don’t start thinking that dude-friendly skincare means a bathroom filled with pastel bottles, serums, and potions. Just look for a moisturizer with a decent SPF, like 25 or 30. You should make moisturizing a part of your everyday routine, and most come with SPF.

If you’ve got oily skin, look for something light; get something a little denser if your skin’s really dry. If you know your skin type, that’s even better because you can just look for specific, targeted products.

Cold Showers Are Your Friend

Image via Flickr by Squiggle

Every guy in the world is familiar with cold showers. The truth is they’re beneficial in all kinds of situations. Namely, if your shower is too hot, you’ll dry out your skin even worse. You don’t have to shower in icy cold water, but keep it lukewarm for the best results.

Moderate water temperatures even make your hair look better, so you get a two-for. The one exception to this rule is the occasional steamy shower—you know, so you don’t have to go to the spa or something.

Make Cleansing Part of Your Routine

Image via Flickr by richardc020

Even though you don’t wear makeup, your skin still gets dirty. At the end of the day, your skin is a mess of sweat, oily sebum, dead skin cells, and all kinds of disgusting debris. That’s harsh, but true. A simple face wash will take care of that whole mess. Just wash your face every night before you brush your teeth and tuck yourself into bed. Don’t use regular soap, though, unless you want dry, scaly skin. By the way, you don’t.

Tone Your Skin Before Your Abs

Toning is important too. If you spend any amount of time at the gym, you know that already. But while you’re toning your abs and your legs, don’t forget about your skin. Keeping your pores clean is crucial. Using a cleansing face wash helps, but sometimes you need something stronger.

Stay away from anything too astringent because that will just irritate your skin even more. Stick to something moderate—not too gentle but not too strong. Even Witch Hazel will do the job.

Start a Better Shaving Routine

Because you spend so much time shaving, you know how important it is to put together a routine that’s good for your skin. It doesn’t matter if you’re clean-shaven, sculpting a goatee, or working that carefully unkempt scruffy look. You still spend time cleaning up the fuzz. So, stop shaving dry. Even if you use an electric razor, you need some sort of prepping serum. Use a good lather or shaving scream, and try cleansing before you shave. Choose your razor carefully as well:

• Never use anything dull or rusty
• Experiment to see if your skin reacts better to disposable razors, straight razors, or electric ones
• Shave with the grain, not against it
• And try shaving in the shower to save time and prep your skin

Take Extra Time to Exfoliate

Yes, okay, the occasional exfoliation treatment is pretty important. You’ll be fine if you just do it every once in a while—say weekly, or even twice a month. Basically you just want to make sure you get rid of all the debris and buildup that you miss with your regular cleansing and toning routine.

Just FYI, exfoliating before you shave will allow you to get a closer, smoother shave, so think about that while you’re managing the upkeep.

Skip the Scent

You might feel tempted to use scented shaving lotions or slap on some aftershave when you get done grooming. Your partner may even ask you to, who knows? The truth is that you’re doing damage to your skin when you use heavy scents after an intense cleansing session. If you hate aftershave, there’s your excuse. Throwing on a little cologne is fine, but give your skin time to recuperate from shaving or exfoliating first. That way you won’t have to deal with any stinging pain or those nasty little bumps.

Avoid Acne Like the Plague

Even if you have acne prone skin, there are several ways to avoid it. For starters, the cleansing, toning, and exfoliation will help. Make sure that any sunscreens or moisturizers you use don’t rely heavily on oil. It’s not true that you have to stay away from certain types of foods, but you shouldn’t have too much sugar or greasy snacks.

Drink plenty of water every day and, if your skin calls for it, look for products designed to fight acne. Just make sure they aren’t filled with chemicals that will actually make the condition worse.

Because many of these products can multitask, you really don’t have to fill up your bathroom with a bunch of bottles, nor do you have to spend a ton of time pampering your skin. Don’t worry about face masks or spa treatments, just use your common sense—and a good moisturizer, of course.

Meet the friendly purveyors of California’s only original, authentic Memphis-style BBQ. That means dry rub pork ribs and pulled pork, smoked 15 hours for supreme tenderness and flavor. Did we mention that it’s made and served with love?

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

Grilling goes fast. You’ll end up overcooking your food if you’re running around looking for utensils.

1. Get organized.
Gather all the tools you’ll need and put them by the grill. That means the tongs, a large fork, marinade and cutting board are all ready to go before you start cooking. To prevent cross-contamination, I always have two sheet pans on hand: one for the uncooked proteins and another for when they come off the grill. Grilling goes fast. You’ll end up overcooking your food if you’re running around looking for utensils.

2. Raise the steaks.
Take red meats out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start grilling and let them come up to room temperature. It keeps them from being charred on the outside and raw on the inside.

3. Build your coals.
A grill needs to be really hot before you put anything on it. Start with raw wood and let it burn until it becomes white coals. Let the coals smolder a bit until the white turns to grey. There shouldn’t be a flame and the coals should emit a strong enough heat that you’re barely able to keep your hand an inch above the grill.

For more great advice, check out this new book. Details below, mate!

4. Oil the grill.
Before you put anything on the hot grill, oil the grate or flat-top to prevent the food from sticking.

5. Let it rest.
Whenever something comes off the grill, let it rest for half the time it took to cook it. If it took 10 minutes to grill a steak, let it rest for five minutes. (You can cover it with aluminum foil to keep in the heat.) Resting meat lowers its core temperature and keeps the juices inside when you carve it.

World-renowned chef, Top Chef Masters host and Melbourne native Stone’s new cookbook, What’s for Dinner? Delicious Recipes for a Busy Life, features 130 effortless recipes and scores of tips to make cooking fast, easy and fuss-free, resulting in a delicious meal every night of the week. For more about Stone, visit curtisstone.com.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

Few actors have managed to brand themselves quite like Vin Diesel has. While primarily known for his action roles, Diesel revealed himself to be a savvy business operator and appreciator of quality cinema when we caught up with him on the London-based set of Fast & Furious 6, coming to theaters Friday. Check out what he had to say—plus exclusive pics and an extended first look at the film—below.

Dwayne Johnson and me having a fight would be cool in any franchise. I’m glad it’s in this one.

MADE MAN: What about the Fast & Furious series has made it more successful with each installment?
VIN DIESEL: Well, let me stop you: What do you think it is?

MM: The spectacle keeps growing with it in a grounded sort of way.
VD: Well, what you just said is descriptive of where we were at the end of the third one. It wasn’t growing. When I came on to produce the fourth one as producer, the outlandish idea that I presented was: Could we treat the next three as a new trilogy? I didn’t do the second one because I felt like at the time they were kind of approaching the idea of the sequel in an old-fashion way, just exploiting the brand. I think sequels should do what Francis Ford Coppola did with The Godfather: expand your franchise, expand the characters. So these last three movies are their own kind of trilogy. Back when we were doing four, the idea of six was already there.

MM: There are a lot of new characters in the franchise. Is it a challenge to bring them in?
VD: Well, it’s a good thing. Dwayne Johnson and me having a fight would be cool in any franchise. I’m glad it’s in this one. One of the reasons why Universal was so seriously entertaining doing six and seven back to back is because one film doesn’t really give you enough real estate to explore the characters as much as you’d like. If you do it as a trilogy you have more room for that.

Believe it or not, there are some badass car scenes in the latest installment.

MM: You have to balance the success and security of the franchise and also wanting to stretch yourself. How do you walk that line?
VD: It’s very, very, very tricky. I turn down countless films, including in this franchise. I like the challenge of taking an action film and infusing it with, as crazy as this sounds, that whole thespian thing. Trying to pull on heartstrings and play on things you wouldn’t expect to see in an action film. It’s always a challenge to not get pigeonholed or stereotyped. I did the cameo for Tokyo Drift and when I saw the cameo in the theater and all my New York theater actor prestigious, pretentious bullshit went out the window. I asked myself how much I own this character. The audience owns it, especially now. If Marlon Brando had a Facebook page there would have been an On The Waterfront 2.

MM: Is it necessarily a good thing to have that, though? What about The Godfather, Part III?
VD: Well, you always run that risk in film. On the other hand, there’s always a handful of guys fighting behind the scenes to protect the integrity of the franchise. We have people fighting for the integrity of this franchise and I think that’s why we’re successful.

See what we mean?

MM: Does your involvement with social media affect you wanting to be a producer?
VD: It reconfirms the need to be a producer. I wouldn’t have enough insurance otherwise. I’m already so accountable that I might as well take that extra step. Someone has to have the big ideas. They did the first three. You couldn’t go to a studio after the first three and say “I want to do three more.” They’d look at you like you’re crazy and that’s what they did.

MM: Off the topic of Fast & Furious 6, what do you think about your sales scene in Boiler Room being used as training for salesmen?
VD: Is it?

MM: It totally is.
VD: I didn’t know that. Since you asked, the first feature I ever did was called Strays. I directed, starred, produced and did that whole “auteur”/Sundance thing. The way that I made the movie was telemarketing. So when we did that scene in Boiler Room I told them to get speaker boxes that they didn’t have in real boiler rooms or in New York, but we had in the telemarketing. The point being that a veteran could listen to a new salesman pitch. Inevitably the veteran would say “Shh!,” because you can oversell and lose the sale. But if you shut up at the right moment, you nail it. It actually came from my real experiences funding my entry into the industry.

In 1994, Nas released his debut album, Illmatic, regarded by pretty much everyone (even his ex-nemesis Jay-Z) as one of the hottest hip-hop records of all time. Nineteen years later, Nas is still scorchin’, with his last three albums topping the charts. Recently named a Hennessy V.S. Wild Rabbit Icon, the man born Nasir Jones sat down with us to talk fitness, grilling, looking good and going global. You’d be wise to listen.

“I’ve had a Ferrari, Maybach,
Rolls-Royces, all the things you
aspire to. Great experiences. Now I want to experience the Prius.”

MADE MAN: As a rapper so closely associated with New York, is it weird to be touring the planet representing a French company?
NAS: It makes sense. When I was really young, my father was a musician and he traveled all over the world: Europe, Africa, everywhere. He’d come back and tell me about those places and the life of a musician on the road. That’s what made it natural for me. I’m always surprised by the things I wind up doing, but once that initial shock of it goes away, I’m in my groove.

MM: How long have you been drinking cognac?
NAS: A long time. I like quality. I like quality in clothes, cars, women, watches, whatever. Ever since I was young, I’ve been like that.

MM: So what is your watch of choice?
NAS: Rolex is the best watch. There’s a lot of great watches out there, but Rolex is the best.

MM: How about cars?
NAS: I’m interested in a Prius right now. I’ve had a Ferrari, Maybach, Rolls-Royces… All the things you aspire to, coming from the place I came from. Great experiences. I want to experience the Prius now.

Note: even drinking Hennessy won’t make you rap as good as Nas does.

MM: Any fashion advice for a guy who wants to look good but lacks Nas money?
NAS: Aw man, money’s overrated. You need it, but in excess… it can be terminal. You don’t need much. You can find good things that are not expensive. It’s all about your eye. In New York there are boutiques all over the place, and you can get some really cool things together that don’t require a gold card. Go to places downtown, places in Harlem… just get creative and bring it all home.

MM: Do you have a favorite cocktail, particularly for the spring?
NAS: I like the Big Apple. [See recipe here.] I like rose champagne. Mimosas.

MM: Are you a barbecue guy?
NAS: Yes, I am. I got friends who barbecue and are really good. They’re teaching me. I mean, I have friends who are really good. They have grills like ovens that sit outside that are taller than you and I. Smoker ovens. They’re doing this for real. That’s a whole world I’m excited to get into.

MM: What do you make?
NAS: Burgers, fish, shrimp. What I really want to do is learn spices and how to make my own barbecue sauce.

Sold-out show in Sao Paulo. Yep, just another day at the office…

MM: While touring, do you have a specific workout routine?
NAS: I hate working out. I don’t work out as much as I need to, but there’s no excuses when it comes to push-ups. You should do at least 100 a day. Every guy should at least try to do 100 a day.

MM: It’s now universally acknowledged as a classic, but Illmatic wasn’t an immediate smash. Did you worry people weren’t going to get it?
NAS: No. It got bootlegged. It was in the streets a couple of months before it even came out, and it was my first album. It was kind of unheard of. That killed a lot of sales but it also helped. DMX went multi-platinum first time out. Drake sold records first time out. That didn’t happen for me. I prefer my way better. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with going multi-platinum with your first album. That’s amazing. But I had a chance to not miss any steps along the way.

MM: Your new album Life Is Good includes the song “Cherry Wine” with Amy Winehouse. Is it strange listening to that tune, since she died so soon after making it?
NAS: It messes me up every time I hear it. There are records you make where you’re like, “Wow. I made that.” It’s just an honor to have her on the record. We lost her far too soon. I was very fortunate that her family was cool with her being on my record, and I was very fortunate to have her vocals. That voice was angelic. I’m really glad that it worked out.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

The precocious Big Bang Theory star tells Paul F. Tompkins about emergency landings, performing in bookstores, show business false starts and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. Also, the surprising challenges of being a 10-year-old black belt…

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

1. “Pontoon” by Little Big Town
I was recently in Austin, Texas hanging out with some friends and I asked them where they escape when it gets really hot. They said they jump in the river. This song reminds me of them.

2. “Beers Ago” by Toby Keith
Time goes by fast when you’re having fun. I try to live my life to the fullest, but that was a lot of beers ago… or at Bub it would be a lot of whiskey.

3. “Wagon Wheel” by Darius Rucker
This guy is traveling the East Coast finding his way and his girl. What’s not to like?

4. ”Streets on Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam
In the words of Mr. Yoakam, “you don’t know me and you don’t like me…” Have you been to Bakersfield, California? Enough said!

5. “Cowboy Song” by Thin Lizzy
This song starts off slow and progresses to a great classic country rock song. Anyone can relate to the lyrics.

Little-known fact: “Ring of Fire” is actually about good barbecue gone bad…

6. “Ring of Fire” by Johnny Cash
One of the best old country songs ever.

7. “Jackson” by Johnny Cash & June Carter
We have Live Band Karaoke every Tuesday at Bub City, and I want to perform this one with my wife.

8. “Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard
Isn’t everyone’s mama still trying?

9. “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” by CCR
This song screams summer backyard BBQ.

10. “Willin’ ” by Little Feat
If this cooking thing ever gets old, I’m going to buy a big rig and live on the road. This will be my theme song.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

Editor’s Note: Guys love barbecue. Guys love sundaes. Mix the two, and you have the greatest combination since Stockton and Malone. Or at least Bryant and Fisher. So we asked Andy Forch, a co-founder of Huckberry—an online shop, journal and brand discovery site for guys—to share Huckberry’s method for making a crazy-good BBQ Sundae. Here’s what he said.

Our general rule is, the more meat
the better. So chicken, pork and beef
are all not only permitted in our BBQ Sundaes, they are encouraged.

BBQ Sundaes seem like they could only exist in the imagination of a six-year-old. But they really do exist. And as we’re about to show you, if you have the proper ingredients on-hand, you can make the ultimate backyard-barbecue statement piece in less time than it takes Kobayashi to down a hot dog. Here’s how.

1. Select an appropriate vessel.
Given the sliminess (read: awesomeness) of the ingredients in a BBQ Sundae, things can get out of hand if you don’t have the proper cone or cup. So you’ll need a sturdy vessel. Your options are as follows:

Waffle cone: this adds a bit of sweet to barbecue’s savory.
Mason jar: this is great because it’s clear and you can see all of the delicious ingredients. Also: when finished with your sundae, you can rinse it (or not) and fill it with beer.
McDonald’s McFlurry cup: these would definitely do the trick, but unless you’re up for dumpster diving or can take down multiple McFlurrys in succession, you’ll probably want to go with the waffle cone or mason jar.

The Mason jar: holds pork as well as it does a cold beer.

2. Fill said vessel with barbecue-related ingredients.
You’re free to stuff whatever you’d like in your BBQ Sundae—it is, after all, your BBQ Sundae—but here are just some of the items we suggest adding:

Mashed potatoes: use an ice cream scooper to haul them into your sundae and you have ice cream’s brother from another mother.
Meat: our general rule is, the more meat the better. So chicken, pork and beef are all not only permitted in our BBQ Sundaes, they’re encouraged.
Barbecue sauce: drizzle it so it looks like hot fudge.
Cherry tomato: for the cherry on top.
Pickle: treat it as you would a sliced banana.
Cole slaw: just because.
Bacon: break into tiny pieces and you have the greatest sprinkles on earth.

3. Grab a fork and dig in.
And there you have it, folks: our version of a proper BBQ Sundae. We’d love to hear your thoughts on ours and how you’d improve upon it. We’re all ears (and stomachs?). Enjoy your BBQ Sundae.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB

For more from Doug Erb visit dougerb.com.

MORE FROM AROUND THE WEB