UltraViolet, a women’s rights group, has announced a protest set to take place at Reebok’s flagship store in New York City later today (April 4) due to Rick Ross’ current deal with the athletic apparel company. UltraViolet is protesting because of lyrics in Ross’ verse on Rocko’s “U.N.E.N.O.” where he raps about putting molly in a girl’s drink without her knowing and then taking her home.
“We are appalled that Reebok would pay a spokesperson who brags about enjoying drugging and raping a woman,” Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet, explained. “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.’ Reebok is apparently okay promoting rape culture, but when one out of five women are the victim of an attempted or completed rape, that has consequences.”
Chaudhary was referring to Ross’ recent attempt to clarify the rhyme. His statement below says this was “a misinterpretation.”
“Woman is the most precious gift known to man, you understand? It was a misunderstanding with a lyric, a misinterpretation where the term rape wasn’t used,” he noted. “I would never use the word rape in my records.”
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UltraViolet released a statement on the matter saying his attempt to clarify the line only added to their reasons for protesting.
“Reebok and Rick Ross have crossed a line— not only does Ross brag about drugging and raping a woman, he is pushing the idea that if you don’t use the word ‘rape,’ it doesn’t count. We are fed up and disgusted with Reebok and Thursday we will bring this fight to their front steps.”
The lyric in question is below.
“Put Molly all in her champagne. She ain’t even know it,” he says on the track. “I took her home and I enjoyed that. She ain’t even know it.”
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Later today (April 4), UltraViolet will appear in front of the Reebok store in running gear and marathon style numbers reading “71,763,” which is the number of signatures that have been gathered against Ross. The protest is scheduled for 2pm.
Others have also joined in on the conversation regarding this line. Talib Kweli recently spoke out against Ross for the line. “I don’t care if Rick Ross is 40 years old—he’s a misguided 40-year-old person,” he said. “Rick Ross condoned rape in that song … and he should apologize, and his apology that he offered was unacceptable.”
UPDATE: Hours after the protest was announced, Rick Ross has again, publicly apologized for his interpreted lyrics.
(April 4)
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UPDATE #2: Radio.com filmed footage of yesterday’s (April 4) protest outside of Reebok:
RELATED: Rick Ross Tries To Clarify Rape Lyric, Says It’s A “Misunderstanding”
