K-Fed has rap skills, lacks his own voice

I didn’t have enough initial faith to actually buy the record. But Kevin Federline (aka Mr. Britney Spears) and his debut album, “Playing With Fire,” offer some pleasant -- and humorous -- surprises.

Let’s start at the beginning.

According to the intro track, the album is apparently a set of stories K-Fed tells his grandchildren later in life. I guess if you want your spawn to be known for their pot smoking and alcoholism, these are good stories to tell. Otherwise cover your ears, kids.

The first song worth listening to is “America’s Most Hated.”

It unfortunately starts out with, “I’m the talk of the town.” Egoism aside, I must say that in this piece he sounds a lot like Eminem - who I have an extreme amount of respect for. Federline definitely has the flow down, as well as a pretty stellar talent for imitation. But for some reason I don’t think that’s what he was going for. 

The next song, “Snap,” is a disappointment, in that it makes him sound like a rich, club-hopping pothead. Not the former car wash attendant, gold digger and father of four we’ve come to know and love. Oh, how terribly misleading.

Now here’s where the shock comes in. I found myself bobbing my head to the beat of “Lose Control.

Maybe it’s because I’m a rock fan and the song is apparently “that hip-hop flavor mixed with a little bit of rock and roll.” But it’s a damn catchy song, and I’m sure all you KDWB listeners will have this one stuck in your head in a matter of days.

The seventh track, “Privilege,” begins with that slow, sex groove we all know and love. But it’s a huge disappointment to all law-abiding citizens when the first words out of his mouth are, “Let’s get something to smoke.”

I guess it fits though, considering Federline’s voice could be easily mistaken for one of the most infamous lovers of women and weed -- Snoop Dogg. The song lacks originality, but it definitely works for him -- the flow is again excellent. Unfortunately, the song lost me at the first mention of Hennessey. Now that’s just too cliché.

I guess it would be “Crazy” to think the woman who made K-Fed famous (and rich) wouldn’t make a vocal appearance on his debut album. Brit repetitiously chants, “And they say I’m crazy for loving you, for feeling you ... and maybe I’m a little crazy, but they don’t know all the things you do.”

No one would argue for her musical talent, but she is definitely worse than her hubby. At least she’s hot though, right?

With titles like, “World is Mine” and “Dance With a Pimp,” you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that Federline’s ego is the biggest problem with this record.

He has obviously spent a lot of time listening to rap, as he easily morphs into Snoop and Em at various points on the album. While he clearly has skill as a rapper, he won’t get anywhere without a voice of his own.

Since news of his musical dream broke, Federline has widely been criticized as an Eminem wannabe with rapping skills reminiscent of Vanilla Ice. But check your own judgment at the door - this album absolutely deserves a listen.

No, K-Fed will never be the lyrical genius that is Eminem, but let’s face it - tacky white rap or not, “Ice Ice Baby” has somehow managed to transcend time. Maybe 15 years from now we’ll still be singing about K-Fed’s “hip-hop flavor mixed with a little bit of rock and roll.”