Reebok drop Rick Ross over rape lyric controversy

 

He was dropped as a Reebok spokesman on Thursday following heavy criticism of his lyrics considered by some to be pro-rape.

And a glum-looking Rick Ross was spotted dining at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood mere hours before the shoe brand made the announcement.

The 37-year-old rapper shyly emerged on to Sunset Boulevard with his hood over his head while wearing a white T-shirt, sweatpants, and bright yellow trainers.

Reebok said in a statement that it 'holds our partners to a high standard and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so.'


Ross formally apologized for his lyrics on Rocko's song U.O.E.N.O. in a tweet last week. 


It came the same day a women's group, UltraViolet, protested outside of one Reebok's stores in Manhattan.


In Rocko's song, the hip-hop heavyweight raps about giving a woman the drug MDMA, also known as 'Molly,' and having his way with her.

'Put Molly all up in her champagne, she ain't even know it, I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain't even know it,' rapped the troubled star, born William Leonard Roberts II.


The song was released in January, but just recently began getting widespread notice. 


In his apologetic tweet, Ross said his lyrics were misinterpreted. He said he doesn't condone rape and apologized for lyrics that were 'interpreted as rape.' 


A week prior, he said in a radio interview that 'there was a misunderstanding with the lyric' and that he didn't use the term 'rape.'


The former Florida correctional officer recently appeared in a commercial for the Reebok Classic sneakers. 


The company says it does not believe that the Grammy-nominated rapper 'condones sexual assault,' but the company is not happy with how he has handled the situation.


'We are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse,' the statement read. 


'At this time, it is in everyone's best interest for Reebok to end its partnership with Mr. Ross.'

 

A message sent to Ross' representative was not immediately returned.


Rocko said in an interview with radio station Hot 97 on Wednesday that he his removing Ross' rap from his song. He said the backlash has 'put him a position where I have to change' the song.


UltraViolet said in a statement Thursday that the group is 'thrilled to hear that Reebok is joining the fight against rape culture and dropping Rick Ross.'


The shoe brand's decision comes after the organisation's petition received almost 100,000 signatures demanding the rapper's dismissal.