T.I. was set to release his next video “Swing Ya Rag” off of his “Paper Trail” album. Although the video was shot and complete, luxury clothing companies Gucci and Louis Vuitton both requested T.I. to not release the video due to the song lyrics. Both companies objected to the chorus of the song which goes a lil something like this:
“Alright, okay, I don’t dance, no way
I just take my Louis rag out and wave it round in the air
Take my Gucci rag out and wave it round in the air”
How that is offensive…I do not know. But T.I. had the following to say to MTV about the decision.“We did it, and it came out hot,” Tip said of the video. “Louis [Vuitton] and Gucci started trippin’ about it. They were saying we were infringing, in one way or another. They weren’t happy about it. They didn’t want it to come out. But it’s hot, though.”
This is the first time we have heard of a product company not wanting the added impressions and branding of product shout outs. Perhaps LV and Gucci were starting to feel the gangster image would take away from their high-profile clientele. T.I. will instead shoot a video to his latest single “Live Your Life.”
Clearly this is in response to T.I.’s recent criminal headlines. I would say they probably don’t want any association with him. Who knows they may think his “waiving” of Louis/ Gucci rags might be some covert gangster behavior. Good Post Yeti.
Yea also cuz LV and Gucci dont really need any of that extra support the way other brands do.
@Juan – yea cosign that. Its most likely specific to TI and his recent arrest sheet and the fact he goin to prison
LV and Gucci still are making bank though off of hip hop, id have to say its more TI specifically in this case. Or else they would complain about EVERY song since every one mentions LV or gucci.
i agree with the editor, i dont think LV or Gucci want T.I. advertising for them. especially to the people his music reaches (minority) but its funny because we still give or money to them.
Honestly, they are companies. They want the most money they can get. If that is from the so-called ‘high profile’ clientele, then that would be why. do they care if you are a minority? No, only if you are rich.
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