Rappers Renounce Kevin Federline's Performance

No publicity is bad publicity. In that sense, Kevin Federline's performance at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards was a success. In another sense, with the critical panning his performance received, Mr. Britney Spears may have an uphill battle to sell his new album.

Kevin Federline talked to People Magazine about his recent performance at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards, which was his first live TV performance. "I'm happy. I think I pulled it off pretty well. (But) I'm overly critical of myself, admits the fledgling rapper. Federline's performance came after an enthusiastic introduction for a surprise presenter, a heavily pregnant Britney Spears.

Britney Spears walked onto stage in a low-cut, cleavage-showing dress, sporting her 8-month pregnant belly. Spears stepped up and said "This show has been very good to me and my career over the years. And I'm hoping that it will be as good to our next performer." That was followed up with "'Please give a big welcome to my man, Kevin Federline."

Kevin Federline confessed to People Magazine, "We went straight from there and jumped in the Ferrari and took off. (Britney) was happy, she was proud. … My whole family and everybody was there."

Kevin Federline may have been happy about his performance, and surely, Britney Spears was happy for him, but how did the rap community see it? CNN quoted Elliot Wilson, the editor in chief of XXL Magazine, as calling Federline's debut a "YouTube disaster," telling the Associated Press " I just think we ignore him. He's a joke, basically. ... I just don't think he gets it. He doesn't get that he's Britney's man and it's hard to take him seriously."

Elliot Wilson wasn't alone in his criticism. Jermaine Hall, executive editor of King Magazine expressed his lack of enthusiasm. "The thing that really hurts him is the fact that he's perceived as Britney's husband. You know, kinda like Britney's second -- I don't even want to say second in command, but -- he's like the Britney Boy. He's like Mrs. Spears, and it's kinda hard to get over that perception."

Jermaine Hall did have some words of advice for Kevin Federline. "All you can do, is really just keep on plugging. He's definitely going to have a teenage female fan base. So, you know, make songs that cater to them. Keep it clubby, keep it hoppy, keep it happy."

Britney Spears and Kevin Federline were married on September 18th, 2004. They had their first child together, Sean Preston Federline, on September 14th, 2005. On May 10th, 2006, Spears confirmed her second pregnancy on the Late Show with David Letterman last month. Britney Spears is the best-selling female artist of the 2000s, having sold 85 million albums. Britney's albums include Baby, One More Time, Oops! I Did It Again, Britney, In The Zone, Greatest Hits: My Prerogative and has appeared in movies such as The New Mickey Mouse Club, Crossroads and In The Pink. Kevin Federline is expected to be releasing his debut album, Playing with Fire, in October, on his own record label, Federation Records. Federline's singles so far include "PopoZao", "America's Most Hated" and "Lose Control".

[Additional Sources: People Magazine, CNN]