Playing with Fire (Kevin Federline album)

The first single option was "PopoZão". According to Chuck Arnold of People, "the frenetic dance track (its title refers to a bootylicious posterior) taps into the favela funk sound popular in Rio de Janeiro and features production by Disco D, who keeps things popping with breakneck beats." The song was ultimately omitted from Playing with Fire in response to negative critical reception.[7]

The album's download-only release, "Lose Control", was premiered with a performance at the 2006 Teen Choice Awards.[8] On September 27, 2006, it was announced that "Crazy", featuring Spears, would be included on the album instead of "PopoZão",[9] and that "Lose Control" had been chosen as the lead single instead.[10] Along with the announcement, it was revealed that the first 500 fans who pre-ordered Playing With Fire via Federline's online store would receive an autographed photo. All pre-orderers were also entered into a contest to attend a record release party in Los Angeles hosted by Spears.[9] Playing with Fire was released on October 31, 2006, through Federline Records.[5] One week after the release, Spears filed for divorce from Federline, listing irreconcilable differences.[11]

In early October 2006, Federline commenced the Playing with Fire Tour at Webster Hall in New York City; he performed to an estimated audience of 300 out of a total seating capacity of 1,500, of which two-thirds left before the end of the show.[12] On October 8, 2006, many of the tickets for the show at House of Blues in Chicago were given away for free.[12] Following the poor reception, the remaining dates were ultimately cancelled.[13]

Professional ratings

Aggregate scores
Source	Rating
Metacritic	15/100[14]
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[15]
Billboard	30/100[14]
Entertainment Weekly	F[16]
IGN	2.9/10[17]
Now	[14]
People	[18]
RapReviews	4.5/10[19]
Rolling Stone	[20]
Slant Magazine	[10]
Vibe	[21]

Playing with Fire was universally panned by critics. The album holds a score of 15 out of 100 (indicating "overwhelming dislike") based on 7 critical reviews, according to the music review aggregator Metacritic.[14] It is the lowest-rated album on the site, with its score being half of that of the second-lowest rated album, The Bloodhound Gang's Hefty Fine.[22] A Billboard reviewer was critical about the production and Federline's rap, stating that, "in general, Federline enunciates well."[14] A critic from Now commented that "his flow is generic and instantly forgettable and his lyrics are trite, inconsequential and full of self-importance",[14] while Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly gave the album an F, stating that the concept of it is "about squandering Britney Spears' fortune."[2] AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave it one star of five, calling it "too serious about being taken seriously to get unintentionally silly."[15] Jimmy Newlin of Slant Magazine criticized the album's producers for "half-hearted beats, annoying musical tics, and enough bass to make your speakers beg for mercy", and deemed the album "just as disposable and dumb as you'd expect."[10] In a rare positive review, Ron Harris of Associated Press called Playing with Fire "a credible, entertaining debut", praising the tracks "Privilege", "Kept on Talkin'" and "Crazy".[23]

Playing with Fire sold 6,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number 151 on the Billboard 200.[24] As of January 22, 2007, the album has sold over 16,000 units in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.[25][26]