25 year old Cubano- Americano Daniel Rene has lot going for him right now. He’s been singing for years, first with MDO, an incarnation of the Menudo franchise and now he’s released his second solo album Adicto. He writes songs, so well apparently that one song he helped write was nominated for a Grammy. And his beautiful face (he reminds me of a hot Cuban ex I once had) and acting skills are on the Telemundo novela Pecados Ajenos. Daniel Rene was gracious enough to take some time out of his busy promo schedule to talk to la Mala about what he’s an adicto of, why he sings in Spanish, and strip clubs. Yes, strip clubs. Check out after the jump for notes from my interview and a video of Daniel Rene for the song off his album, Por Ti, Para Ti.

Daniel Rene, a self-proclaimed half-gringo, half-Latino grew up with musical influences in both English and Spanish. Citing Stevie Wonder and Luis Miguel without a hint of irony, it’s obvious that Daniel Rene has no problem mixing things up a little. His second solo album, Adicto, released this past October, carries traces of rock, romance, and even a little bit of reggaeton. What it doesn’t have is English. When I asked the Houston born, Miami based Daniel why, he simply countered: “How many ways can you say I love you in English?” He then rattled off the various ways the Spanish language can be used to express the same sentiment. He feels Spanish is more expressive, not to mention the fact that the Spanish language music community has supported him ever since he was singer in MDO. Yes, that would be a prior incarnation of Menudo. But don’t let Daniel Rene’s boy band cred make you write him off.

He co-wrote all of the songs on Adicto, including one about an affair with married woman (based on what happened to a friend, he clarified for me). His writing efforts even earned him a Grammy nod, since another song he co-wrote, Si Yo Fuera Tu, sung by Servando y Florentino was nominated for a Grammy.

Daniel Rene also has a history of amazing collaborations with other musical artists. On his 2003 self-titled solo debut, he shared the mic with Jennifer Pena. More recently he shared a stunning duet with Central American singer Sherry. Who else would he like to work with? Daniel Rene said Juanes, specifically because of his songwriting skills.

And what exactly is Daniel Rene an addict of? Music, he told me without hesitation. He’s also addicted to the love and support his family has given him all of his years as a working artist and yes, to women and love. But ojo mujeres, Daniel Rene is not currently in love.

As if promoting a new album isn’t enough , Daniel Rene is lending his acting talents to the Telemundo novela Pecados Ajenos. In it he plays a teenager who likes to hang out in a strip club named la Casa de Leticia. But art doesn’t reflect reality here. Daniel Rene would much rather chill at home con amigos and a glass of wine.

So what’s next for the well rounded Daniel Rene? In the new year he’ll be taking Adicto south of the border to Mexico and other Latin American countries.

You can buy Daniel Rene’s cd, Adicto at DanielRenemusic.com