US rapper Rick Ross has finally apologised for so-called “pro-rape” lyrics in one of his songs.
He tweeted after women’s rights group UltraViolet protested outside one of his sponsors, Reebok, in Manhattan.
“I dont condone rape. Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape. #BOSS,” he told his 2.8 million followers.
He later added: “Apologies to my many business partners, who would never promote violence against women. @ReebokClassics @ultraviolet.”
In his track U.O.E.N.O Ross raps about giving a woman ecstasy, also known by the slang term ‘Molly’.
“Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it,” says the 37-year-old.
The song was released in January but just recently began getting widespread notice.
Talib Kweli, a New York rapper said, “Rick Ross condoned rape in that song and he shouldn’t, he should apologize, and the apology he offered was unacceptable.”
UltraViolet tweeted a picture of what it said was a 72,000 name petition urging Reebok to drop Ross and its members also turned up at the brand’s flagship New York store on Thursday.
Ross previously told a US radio station that the track’s lyrics had been misinterpreted.
The rapper is also named, alongside the likes of Lil Wayne, in a change.org petition entitled Rape, Rick Ross and Responsibility.
It calls for the record industry to “market and promote more positive and conscientious rap artists”.