Pitbull, Ke$ha duking it out in co-billed show

Pitbull brings his rap about the good life while performing in front of a seven-piece band to Mandalay Bay Events Center.

You want to hear the virtues of abstinence and humility?

Join a monastery. Pitbull and Ke$ha are in town.

The dirty girl and the classy guy are on the road together in a co-billed tour that brings compatible pop but contrasting stage shows.

Ke$ha cavorts with male dancers — sometimes putting them in drag — and generates industrial sparks from her groin on “Gold Trans Am.”

Pitbull raps about the good life in front of a seven-piece band with video assists for the collaborative hits with other stars (Shakira, Christina Aguilera) for which he’s best known.

“It’s definitely a boxing match,” the 32-year-old born Armando Perez said of his high-energy stage presence before his New Year’s weekend show in Las Vegas.

“I’m coming in to jab, jab, jab, hook and then uppercut. It doesn’t stop. … It’s almost like I am a DJ performing a set. I don’t stop to talk. I may stop two or three times in a show and that’s it.”

Pitbull also noted that rappers may not be known for modesty, but his commitment made his reputation.

“We are growing in a shrinking business. Your reputation, your word and your work ethic is key.”

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@
reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.