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The internet and popular music community have been up in arms about Rick Ross’ lyrics on a new song called ‘U.N.E.N.O.’ Rapper Rick Ross is under fire over the lyrics which appear to glorify committing date rape. Outraged groups across the country are calling on apparel giant Reebok to dump him as a spokesperson, pronto. Radio stations are already refusing to play the song.

“Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it,” read the controversial lyrics. “I took her home and I enjoyed that. She ain’t even know it.”

“Molly” is slang for the crystal form of MDMA, often considered a “date rape” drug as it distorts reality and reduces inhibitions. “It is totally appalling that Reebok would be featuring and paying a spokesman like Rick Ross who is proudly rapping about raping women,” Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of the anti-sexism and women’s rights website Ultraviolet, which has launched a petition demanding Reebok axe Ross.

DISCUSSION: Rapper Rick Ross Explains His ‘Date Rape’ Lyrics, Do You Think He Was Misunderstood or Promoting Rape?

“Reebok devotes a lot of time, energy and money to marketing to women – and now they’re paying a man who is literally bragging about raping women. That tells women that Reebok isn’t interested in our business. It tells us that Reebok is okay promoting rape culture and when one out of five women are the victim of an attempted or completed rape that has real life consequences.”

“Keeping Ross on sends a message to young men that some kinds of rape are just not okay, but cool,” Chaudhary said. “In the two hours since we have launched this campaign, more than 25,000 people have already signed the petition.” Since the explosion of bad press, Ross has attempted to clear up the controversy and insists people are misinterpreting his lyrics.

“Women are the most precious gift known to mankind,” the rapper said in interview with New Orleans’ Q93.3, while donning a Reebok cap. “It was a misunderstanding with a lyric, a misinterpretation. The term ‘rape’ wasn’t used. I would never use the term rape.” But many aren’t buying that line. Ashley-Michelle Arnold, a site administrator of the non-profit message board After Silence, a collective chat space for rape and abuse victims, says Ross should be given his marching orders “if the company has any vested interest whatsoever in saving face with their female customers.”

“In the case of Rick Ross, you have a so-called ‘rap artist’ bragging about committing a violent sexual assault and getting away with it. For Reebok to continue utilizing him as a brand ambassador, they’re endorsing his behavior and the so-called art he creates for their target demographic,” she said. “They’re telling their male customers that this is someone to emulate not only in dress, but actions.”

If Reebok doesn’t take prompt action, experts say it could be very bad for business.

Source: BlackMediaScoop

What do you think? Should Reebok drop Rick Ross in the face of these controversial lyrics? Does his so called ‘apology’ and his explanation that he was ‘misinterpreted’ and ‘misunderstood’ make sense? We wanna hear your thoughts on this hot-button issue… talk to ‘TLC

DISCUSSION: Rapper Rick Ross Explains His ‘Date Rape’ Lyrics, Do You Think He Was Misunderstood or Promoting Rape?

Will Reebok Dump Rapper Rick Ross After “Date Rape’ Lyrics? Should They?  was originally published on tlcnaptown.com