Wannabe rapper Federline taunts his critics

updated 3:28 p.m. ET Oct. 26, 2006

NEW YORK - Kevin Federline, aka K-Fed and Mr. Britney Spears, says he shrugs off his naysayers.

“If you want to hate me, cool, hate me,” Federline, 28, says in an interview posted Thursday on People magazine’s Web site. “You know why? Because all it’s going to do is help me.”

Federline, an aspiring rapper, has been aggressively promoting his debut album, “Playing With Fire,” set for release Oct. 31. Amid a chorus of boos, he was body-slammed by wrestler John Cena in an Oct. 16 appearance on USA Network’s “WWE Monday Night Raw.” And don’t forget his panned performance at this year’s Teen Choice Awards.

“I know who I am,” says Federline, who promises the album will show his “edgy side.”

Last month, he portrayed an arrogant teen on CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”

“I shocked myself,” he tells People. “There were parts that I wish I would have done different, but there are parts that really took me, like, ‘Wow, did I do that?’ I looked at myself and I was like, ‘It looked good. It looked perfect.”’

Spears, 24, and Federline were married in September 2004. They have two sons.

Federline also has two children from a previous relationship.

“It’s just time to get my stuff down while they’re young, so I can sit back and watch them grow up,” he says.

MORE FROM CELEBRITIES

Celebrities Section Front

Britney granted more visitation with boys Khloe Kardashian spends 3 hours in jail Video taken of Brolin, Wright during brawl Salma Hayek, Pinault call off their engagement Islam wins damages for ‘veiled women’ slur DMC undergoing surgery to remove blood clots Ed McMahon sues hospital over neck injury James Brown auction doesn't bring big bucks Spider to be named for Stephen Colbert U2's Bono, Edge win hotel legal battle Celebrities Section Front   Add Celebrities headlines to your news reader: