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(AllHipHop News) A promotional billboard for Atlanta rapper T.I.’s AKOO clothing brand has encountered less than positive reactionamong residents in Newark, New Jersey.





The billboard, which is prominently displayed on the corner ofMarket and Washington Streets, features a woman knelt down in front of a
guy whose jeans are unbuckled with his underwear exposed and the
woman’s hands grabbing his jeans.

Those noticing theadvertisement did not hesitate in expressing their disdain as they
deemed it “offensive.”


Founded by T.I. and fellow Grand Hustle Entertainment co-founderJason Geter, AKOO offers various types of clothing that include blue
jeans, jackets and shirts.

The clothing brand’s name is anacronym that stands for A King of One’s Self.

Newark major CoryBooker echoed the concerns of onlookers over the suggestive
advertisement while vowing to take a stand against questionable images
that are present in his city.





“So often when I am out in the community I see kids wearingtheir pants too low and others using inappropriate language in public,”
Booker said in a statement. “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.”





News of the controversy triggered an immediate reaction fromAKOO, which issued a statement on the controversy and criticism
surrounding the billboard.





“The AKOO brand has always aimed to inspire individualism andcreativity. 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,” the company said as it alluded to
exposing more sides of the brand in future promotions.

“We hopethat as more of the campaign is debuted, people will see the
multifaceted personality of AKOO.”


Despite AKOO’s statement, the company attempt was not enough tosay Newark City Council President Mildred Crump, who feels the AKOO
billboard is an example of a lack of regard over the impact of images
that paint a negative picture of the city.





“I’m so sick of people seeing Newark as a place where they cando whatever they want,” she said. “They think they can put it in a Black
community and nobody is going to say or do anything,”