TI’s Akoo Billboard Is Coming Down

Advertising billboards for rapper T.I.’s clothing brand Akoo (www.akooclothingline.net) are set to be taken down in Newark, New Jersey after drawing criticism for its sexually-suggestive tones.

The ad, which features a woman kneeling in front of a man while appearing to pull down his unbuckled jeans, caused controversy among locals and city officials who found the fashion shot “offensive”.

Newark mayor Cory Booker said, “So often when I am out in the community I see kids wearing their pants too low and others using inappropriate la nguage in public. I will work with my city council to see if we can address it so we don’t see these types of advertisements displayed in our city in the near future.”

The comments prompted Akoo bosses to issue their own statement defending the poster, insisting they always aim to “inspire individualism and creativity.”

The executives added, “Our advertising campaign was not created to offend or insult anyone but to simply provoke dialogue and thought regarding male/female sexuality within urban culture.”

But the heads of the advertising company responsible for posting the billboard, CBS Outdoor, have caved under the pressure to have the ad removed and they have confirmed they are taking steps to withdraw the image.

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