Reebok drops rapper for date rape lyrics

Sports brand ends sponsorship deal with Rick Ross following protests from women’s rights group.

US rapper Rick Ross has been dropped by Reebok for using pro-rape lyrics in the track U.O.E.N.O.

Ross’s lyrics on the track by Rocko refer to the date rape drug MDMA, known as Molly: “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.”

English critique aside, the lyrics are a clear reference to drug rape and, as the Associated Press put it, him ‘having his way with her’ is a very English way of avoiding the words ‘sex’ and ‘against her will’.

American women’s rights group UltraViolet led the campaign calling for Reebok to drop the artist, gathering more than 72,000 signatures and protesting at the company’s flagship store in Manhattan last week.

Ross responded with a half-hearted non-apology, claiming the lyrics had been ‘misinterpreted’.

“The term ‘rape’ wasn’t used,” he said, “you know I would never use the term rape in my records.”

I’m glad we cleared that up, Rick; as long as you don’t say rape, it’s not rape.

Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet, said: “We are appalled that Reebok would pay a spokesperson who brags about enjoying drugging and raping a woman.

“Reebok devotes a lot of time, energy and money to marketing to women, and now they are paying a man who is literally bragging about raping us while absurdly insisting it can’t possibly be rape if he doesn’t use the word ‘rape’.”

Last Thursday, less than two weeks after the campaign began, Reebok confirmed it would be cutting its ties with Ross, who was the face of Reebok Classic trainers, saying: ‘While we do not believe that Rick Ross condones sexual assault, we are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse.

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

Ross’s lyrics have also been removed from the track by Rocko, although the rapper’s friend claims the backlash is ‘unfair’.

“I don’t think that was fair. Not to name drop, but there are several artists that said things in their lyrics way, way, way worse than that,” Rocko told MTV News.

“I’ve heard lyrics [about] burning down houses and throwing people off of bridges and killing your wife and your whole family.

“I’ve heard all types of stuff and it wasn’t scrutinised like this.”

Rocko seems to be missing the point here; just because someone else might be more explicit and violent in their lyrics doesn’t make casual rape references ok.

This is the type of attitude that helps perpetuate the notion than rape is less of a crime than, say, arson or GBH.

To dig the hole even deeper, Rocko goes on to point out “everybody knows that the big homey don’t have to rape anybody.

“He’s having paper, he got [millions of dollars], why would he have to do that?”

What does he mean he doesn’t ‘have’ to rape anybody?!

Does anyone ‘have’ to rape anyone else?

So, what you’re telling me Rocko, is that as long as you have enough money, presumably to buy sex or to make you irresistible to women, there’s no need for date rape?

Rap has been rife with misogyny since the beginning and remains a male-dominated business.

WVoN reported recently on moves away from the violent and sexist themes portrayed in hip-hop music, but artists such as Lamar and Drake are the exception rather than the rule.

Responding to the move by Reebok, UltraViolet’s Nita Chaudhary said: “We are thrilled to hear that Reebok is joining the fight against rape culture and dropping Rick Ross,

“This is a huge victory for women, for the 526 survivors of rape who were brave enough to publicly confront rape culture, and for the nearly 100,000 UltraViolet members who have poured their hearts and time into this campaign,

“This sends a strong message that rapping about drugging and raping an unconscious woman is not only morally wrong, but has real consequences.

“Thank you, Reebok, for taking a stand.”

Ross responded to the news with a formal statement, acknowledging that his lyrics were ‘offensive’.

“Before I am an artist, I am a father, a son, and a brother to some of the most cherished women in the world.

“So for me to suggest in any way that harm and violation be brought to a woman is one of my biggest mistakes and regrets.”

Ross also said men who listen to his music should “know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it’s wrong.”

Hell yes, Ross!

Although this still leaves me questioning his moral compass…