Rick Ross is finding out that saying “sorry” just doesn’t cut it.
More than 150 rape survivors are stepping-up their campaign to have Reebok dump its lucrative contract with the controversial rapper over what they describe as his “dangerous” lyrics.
Ross has found himself at the center of a media feeding frenzy after it emerged that in the lyrics of his song “U.O.E.N.O.” he boasted about drugging and raping a woman.
UltraViolet members are far from impressed by what they see as Ross’ “non apology” and they’ve launched a combined phone, Twitter, and online ad push to accompany its letter to Reebok.
“Every single day that Reebok continues rewarding Rick Ross with a lucrative endorsement deal, Reebok is condoning rape. When one in five women will be the victim of completed or attempted rape, this is dangerous and it has real-life consequences,” writes the letter, which is signed by Wagatwe Wanjuke. “Your silence on this issue is unacceptable. It’s time you took a stand against rape and drop Rick Ross as a spokesman.”
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Ross has his own line of Reebok shoes, and stars in a TV and online campaign for the clothing manufacturer.
In a separate statement, Wanjuke adds, “As a survivor of rape, I’m appalled with Reebok’s use of their brand to promote rape and I am fed up with being told what counts or does not count as rape by both Reebok and Rick Ross.” She says, “We will not give up until Reebok drops Ross and we urge them to issue an apology to their customers and to survivors of rape who have been hurt by their brand’s message.”
According to UltraViolet, more than 75,000 people have signed a petition demanding Reebok drop Ross. The women’s group promises to target Reebok with upwards of 10,000 phonecalls and a flurry of Tweets to Reebok.
Opinion: Rick Ross’ ‘U.O.E.N.O.’ Lyric Condones Rape Despite Denial
Ross is in hot water for a sentence in which he raps about giving a woman the drug MDMA, known as Molly, and having his way with her. “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,” he raps.
The one-time correctional officer, now Island Def Jam artist, has faced a torrent of criticism since late March and at least one U.S. radio station has pulled his songs from rotation.
Ross presented his apology last Thursday in the form of a Tweet — on the same day UltraViolet had planned a protest of Reebok in Manhattan.
Reebok continues to stay silent on the campaign.