Mark Brayboy
Blue & White Flash/Staff Writer
Hip-hop superstar Rick Ross is once again under fire. He has most recently sparked controversy because of his rap lyrics in a song with from Atlanta, Ga. rapper Rocko. Many outraged fans, fellow artists like Talib Kweli and the women’s rights group, UltraViolet, alleges that Ross’ lyrics promote date rape, drug use and sexual assault against women.
In the song “U.O.E.N.O.” by Rocko and fellow Atlanta, Ga. artist Future, Ross spits the lyrics, ‘Put molly all in her champagne, she don’t even know it/I took her home and I enjoyed that, she don’t even know it,’ causing a backlash of criticisms that he was glorifying date rape. Facing intense pressure, he has since apologized for the lyrics, both on Twitter and New Orleans, La. radio station Q93.
“It was a misunderstanding with a lyric, a misinterpretation where the term ‘rape’ wasn’t used. You know, I would never use the term rape in my records. I just wanted to reach out to all the sexy ladies, all the beautiful ladies that had been reaching out to me with the misunderstanding: we don’t condone rape and I’m not with that,” said Ross.
In spite of his apology, many of his female fans feel as if the apology was not sincere enough and felt that he was very wrong.
Jerlisha Gipson, a senior healthcare administration major from Batesville, Miss, said, “I just don’t believe his apology was sincere and I felt that it was forced. He had to apologize because of the pressure he’s received from women, but I just don’t believe it was from his heart. Why would you even rap about putting a drug in someone’s drink and they don’t know it?” said Gipson.
Randrika Anderson, a sophomore theater major from Canton, Miss. said, “I feel that he should be aware of the words hat he says because he has a major influence on young black men and rape is something that should not be made a mockery of in any sense.”
The controversy has also jeopardized Ross’s Reebok endorsement in wake of UltraViolet’s campaign and massive protest against Reebok and Rick Ross, demanding that the sneaker company should cut all ties Ross because he glorifies and promotes date rape.
“It’s time for Reebok to stop using their brand as a platform to dictate to women what counts as rape,” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet on weareultraviolet.org. “Contrary to Ross’ claims, there was no misinterpretation here: Slipping a woman a drug and ‘enjoying that’ is rape, plain and simple. It’s time for them to answer the 72,000 former customers who want them to stop promoting violence against women and fire Rick Ross.”
According to their website, weareultraviolet.org, their petition for Reebok to fire Ross has gathered over 51,000 signatures, 15 hours after it went viral and was released. The petition has gathered over 71,000 signatures thus far.
To further add to Ross’ worries, one of his recent concerts in Ontario, Canada has been cancelled due to the protests. The lyrics he layed on the track have recently been removed from radio versions.
Jasmine Trueman, a sophomore elementary education major from Baton Rouge, La. said that his lyrics may have a detrimental effect on the youth.
“He still shouldn’t have said it because he would be held accountable if someone follows through with it. He’s still a role model. Younger people have tender minds and can be molded into doing whatever sounds cool.”
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