After singing lyrics that were considered pro-rape in a song, Reebok has dropped Rick Ross from their company.  In a statement released by Reebok, the company said, “At this time, it is in everyone’s best interest for Reebok to end its partnership with Mr. Ross.”  Ross has previously appeared in commercials for Reebok.

The lyrics appear in rapper Rocko’s song “U.O.E.N.O” from his Gift of Gab 2 album.  Ross is featured on the song and his controversial lyrics say, “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.”  The song was released in January of this year, but it was only recently that people began responding to what has been perceived as pro-date rape lyrics.

The women’s group UltraViolet is at least partially responsible for Reebok dropping Ross, as someone within their organization sent Reebok a letter encouraging them to part ways with Ross. The author of the letter said, “Like far too many women, we are the survivors of sexual assault” and “Every single day that Reebok continues rewarding Rick Ross with a lucrative endorsement deal, Reebok is condoning rape.”

With an accusation like that, it’s no wonder Reebok hurriedly ended their partnership with Ross. In addition to the letter from UltraViolet, a petition was submitted to Reebok that contained more than 70,000 signatures encouraging the shoe company to drop Ross.

Ross claims that he never intended for the lyrics to promote rape.  Ross issued an apology via Twitter where he said, “I dont condone rape.Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape.”  Many people have responded wondering what else he could have possibly meant, since it seems pretty clear that Ross is talking about drugging a girl with a “Molly” (slang for ecstasy) and having relations with her while unconscious.

Rocko is currently working to remove Ross’s lyrics from the song and will later release the updated version.  In a radio interview, Rocko seemed reluctant to edit the song and said, ” I feel like the record with Ross … will always be the original record.”  There is no word yet on when the updated version of “U.O.E.N.O” will be released, but Rocko did say that he is considering contributions from several different artists.

Was Reebok’s decision to drop Rick Ross too hasty or was it something that needed to be done to lessen the rape culture mindset?