T.I
In today’s daily rap, T.I. is sued over his clothes line, whilst a number of other rappers try to encourage youths to do something with their lives.
T.I. Sued Over Clothes Line
Rapper T.I. is facing legal action over his clothing label Akoo - he's been slapped with a trademark infringement lawsuit concerning the brand name.
Just a year after the Live Your Life hitmaker, real name Clifford Harris, Jr., officially launched Akoo Clothing, he has been sued by bosses at social music TV network Akoo International, who claim they own the sole rights to the name.
TV executives have filed suit against T.I. in the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Illinois, insisting they have held the Akoo trademark for years, reports AllHipHop.com.
They are demanding the rapper stop using the brand name because his clothing range has misled and deceived consumers and potential clients of the TV network, which delivers video footage to over 86 million customers a month in the U.S.
Akoo CEO Niko Drakoulis says, "Akoo has been recognised as a leading social TV platform for connecting brand advertisers with millions of our engaged viewers. "Our primary obligation and goal is to prevent confusion among our consumers, which is among the most basic objectives of trademark law. At the same time, Akoo has invested nearly a decade of effort and substantial capital to deploy its network and will do everything in its power to protect its brand."
Akoo International bosses were prompted to sue T.I. after a billboard advertising his fashion range in Newark, New Jersey caused controversy for being too sexually suggestive. Protests from local residents and Mayor Cory Booker led to the ad being taken down earlier this month.
Mystikal Urges Youths To Turn Lives Around
Mystikal is urging troubled youths to learn from his mistakes and stay out of jail, after completing a six-year prison term earlier this year.
The Danger hitmaker, real name Michael Lawrence Tyler, pleaded guilty to sexual battery and extortion charges stemming from a 2003 arrest. He was charged with forcing his female hairstylist to perform sex acts on him and two of his bodyguards because he believed she had stolen $80,000 (£50,000) from him.
The rapper was released from a Louisiana state prison earlier this year (Jan10), and now he hopes his story can help save troubled youths from leading a life of crime. He said; "I can definitely let them knuckleheads know, the dog that's barking at you, that dog bit me, and it's not the route you want to take. I'm sure going through what I just went through, that I'll get them to listen to me."
Treach Wants Funding For Troubles Youths
Treach is urging U.S. government officials to allocate more funding to youth programs to help keep at-risk youngsters off the streets and out of trouble.
The Naughty by Nature hitmaker is convinced many teens turn to a life of drugs and crime simply because they don't have a healthy outlet, like arts or sports, to channel their energy.
And he wants officials to focus on preventative measures for impressionable kids. He said; "Where's the money for all the programs? Now, man, in the street, it's (sic) nothing for these kids to do... All that gang prevention should be trips out of the neighbourhood. Having different gangs together playing.
“I had a basketball league where it was rival gang members playing on the same basketball team. It's hard to kill somebody once you break bread with them. You just gonna lock everybody up? No, it's things you can do before it gets that serious."