PHOTO CREDIT: Johnny Nunez

Say what you will about the BET Awards. Most insiders know that it’s all about the afterparty. Case in point the The Atlantic Records Party Presented by SWAGG, which was  was held at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood. On tap were Atlantic Urban recording artists (and Couch Sessions favorites) Janelle Monael, B.O.B., Trey Songz, and Estelle.

B.O.B. and Janelle Monae

Jermaine Dupri

Trey Songz and Mom

Estelle

Big Boi in AKOO

Okay, this is just great. Another rapper who thinks just because he can make words rhyme he can make clothes and tell people how to dress?  I had to say it, the urban fashion market is getting so watered down with rappers slapping their name/image onto clothing lines I can’t even keep up anymore.  But I’m actually feeling  Clifford Harris’s (TI’s real name) venture into the market, so he gets a pass.

A King Of One’s Self, AKOO for short, is sort of like Abercrombie and Fitch with a dash of street thrown in (or the “Trap” as TI would say).  You have your basic striped polos, jeans, and of course the logo T-shirt.  The logo I’m assuming is a fox, which I take it to represent being sly and cunning. Anywho, the new spring/summer collection is available in stores nationwide.  Check out some of the pieces below!

AKOO is available at:

WWW.AKOOCLOTHINGBRAND.COM

WWW.DRJAYS.COM

WWW.URBAN-CORNER.COM

]]> http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2010/04/t-is-akoo-2010-springsummer-collection/feed/ 0 http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2008/12/top-7-beats-of-2008/ http://www.thecouchsessions.com/2008/12/top-7-beats-of-2008/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:20:37 +0000 Stone http://www.thecouchsessions.com/?p=3073 7.) Kanye West – Love Lockdown (produced by Kanye West)

Even though I cant’ stand this song, ‘Ye turned the phrase “beatmaker” on its end, and essentially pissed off every hip-hop producer I know. It’s a good thing, I promise.

6.) Kid Cudi – Day and Nite (produced by Dot Da Genius)

While most songs this year have become complex autotune monstrosities, Day and Nite thrives in its simplicity.

5.) Kano – Hustler (produced by Mikey J)

With Hustler, the Londoner Kano and producer Mickey J create the East Coast street banger that New York rappers should’ve made this year.

4.) TI, Jay-Z, Kanye West – Swagger Like Us (Produced By Kanye West)

This track redefines the posse cut, and this MIA sample has started the new hip-hop/hipster crossover movement. Look for said movement to dominate 2009 like Autotune did in 2008.

3.) Jay-Z featuring Santogold – Brooklyn Go Hard (produced by Kanye West)

Even though Black people can’t stand Santogold (just check out any comment section on Concrete Loop where her name is mentioned), Kanye and Jay-Z’s track just might give her enough street cred to achieve mainstream status in 2009.

2.) MIA – Paper Planes (produced by Diplo and Switch)

How does song from a relatively unknown UK rapper/songstress about the working poor somehow became one of the most popular songs in America? It’s the quintessential musical rags to riches story. Diplo and Switch created a monster and they didn’t even know it. Oh, and can just I say….best. hook. evar.

1.) Lil’Wayne – A Milli (produced by Bangledesh)

Bangledesh’s sample of a obscure Fatboy Slim UK remix of A Tribe Called Quest became the top anthem of 2008. This track was so hot, even R&B dudes were rapping over this beat.