SEXIEST RAPPER/PRODUCER
KANYE WEST

With three Grammys, over 5 million in record sales and a TIME magazine cover proclaiming him the "Smartest Man in Pop Music," the unmarried 28-year-old hip-hop phenom has every reason to be confident.

•Were you always so self-assured?
"I wasn't popular in my early years of high school, naw, but I grew into my sexiness by college. I kind of figured out how to be me and still be attractive to the ladies. I think I'm coming into my own now."

•What's the sexiest piece of clothing you own?
"My really thin wool V-neck sweaters, with nothing underneath."

•What artist puts you in a romantic mood?
"Anita Baker."

•When you're not working, what do you like to do?
"I like watching movies—old Eddie Murphy movies make me laugh. And I like directing music videos, shopping. And I love to have sex. I like to have sex a lot."

SEXIEST BAND
FRANZ FERDINAND

Their new album, You Could Have It So Much Better, has gone platinum. These droll alums of the Scottish art scene have it pretty good, and they would like you to know that...

•Yes, they are incredibly stylish. And proud of it. "You dress for an event, and a live show should feel like an event," says lead singer/guitarist Alex Kapranos, who confers with Dior designer Hedi Slimane. "This isn't just a bunch of guys who stumbled onstage and are a bit embarrassed for being there."

•No, they're not gay. Their gay-friendly hit "Michael" was written about a pal. "I love the ambiguity," says Kapranos, who last year fielded rumors he was dating Kate Moss. "That made me laugh. I don't have the time to go on dates with my real girlfriend at the moment, never mind with Kate Moss too."

•Paul was right. "When I met my wife," recalls drummer Paul Thompson, "I said, 'I've got this band, and we might do quite well, because we're all good-looking.' She thought I was kidding myself."

SEXIEST LATIN CROONER
CHAYANNE

His 19th album, Cautivo (Captive), made its debut at No. 1 in Latin America in September; last month, its first single became the 37-year-old singer's 25th Top 10 hit. Where does Chayanne (born Elmer Figueroa Arce in Puerto Rico) get all that drive? He says it comes from...

•"The love that I feel—family, feelings of love, friendship. The material things, those come and go."

•"The passion that I have inside me for everything I do. The way I always look for energy and try to enjoy everything I do."

•"The sea—I wanted to be a marine biologist. I've always loved the sea."

SEXIEST COUNTRY SINGER
TIM McGRAW

LeAnn Rimes says he's "electrifying" and Sara Evans calls him "incredibly fit, a man's man with a gorgeous face." But it's four other countrywomen who've captured his heart. Here's what McGraw, 38, has to say about his wife, Faith Hill, and daughters Gracie, Maggie and Audrey:

•His favorite family activity: "We get up with the kids, make breakfast and I take the kids to school. We're real homebodies."

•The sweetest thing he's ever said: "I said very early on to Faith that I wanted to have kids with her."

•His sexiest at-home outfit: "My polka-dotted pj's—you have to see them to understand!"

•His most romantic date: "Dinner by ourselves at home."

•And afterward? Anything but a massage. "I'm too high-strung. I can't just lay there and relax." He admits he will give Faith one—if it's quick. "I'm good for about five minutes. I'm not very long-lasting—in the massage department."

SEXIEST POP STAR
NICK LACHEY

Have you heard the latest on Nick Lachey?

•He's been regularly spotted at LAX sneaking off to...Sweden! "I'm going there to record [a new album]."

•And he's been seen running around at all hours with...his buddies from high school!! "They keep me grounded. We see movies. work out, go to the grocery store—normal stuff."

•Has he no shame? He's driven wild by...pumpkin spice! "I love the smell of Thanksgiving."

•Yikes! You would not believe the relationship he has with...his dog Daisy!! "She's still got that puppy mentality. She makes me laugh a lot. She's a lot more fun than I thought she'd be."

•The downward spiral has begun! He's addicted to...Starbucks!! "Sugar-free vanilla latte. I've definitely become dependent on coffee."'

•He baldly admits it! He can't keep his eyes off...college basketball!