Fri 12 Apr 2013
Rick Ross Releases Official Statement and Apology for “Rape Lyric”
Posted by Mikey Fresh under Life Beyond Rap[18] Comments
After going through a firestorm of controversy for his “rape lyric” on Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.” and subsequently losing a lucrative partnership with Reebok, Rick Ross has released an official statement on the issue. Though, Rozay briefly addressed his controversial lyrics in an interview and on Twitter, many felt the rapper was insincere. In an official statement released to the press, Ross offered some real words.
“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. As an artist, one of the most liberating things is being able to paint pictures with my words. But with that comes a great responsibility. And most recently, my choice of words was not only offensive, it does not reflect my true heart. And for this, I apologize.
Continue reading Ross’ full statement after the jump…
To every woman that has felt the sting of abuse, I apologize. I recognize that as an artist I have a voice and with that, the power of influence. To the young men who listen to my music, please know that using a substance to rob a woman of her right to make a choice is not only a crime, it’s wrong and I do not encourage it. To my fans, I also apologize if I have disappointed you. I can only hope that this sparks a healthy dialogue and that I can contribute to it.”
I want to thank Reebok Classics for their hard work and dedication over this past year.Good partners,good shoe.continued success.
— Mastermind (@rickyrozay) April 12, 2013
Related:
Rocko on Taking Rick Ross Off “U.O.E.N.O.” Record: “I Have to Change It”
Rick Ross vs. His Personal Chef in Reebok’s ‘White Hot’ Commercial (Video)
Rick Ross Joins Swizz Beatz; Signs Endorsement Deal With Reebok
April 12th, 2013 at 3:29 pm
So it’s still okay to say “Bitches ain’t shit” ?
April 12th, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Good for Ross to put this to bed. I don’t think he intended for the lyric to be taken like it was or that he was trying to excuse the act of rape but with so many offended he had to address it properly. Too many news reports about this kind of thing lately with teens. I’m glad Rozay is stepping up and letting these youngins know that shit is not cool.
April 12th, 2013 at 3:53 pm
if had release this statement a few weeks ago he could maybe save his contract but instead he stayed in his rick ross character and tweeted ending with hashtag boss that just made him seen like didn’t care
best for him to take break for a minute
April 12th, 2013 at 3:57 pm
It’s also still okay to murder people and sell drugs, seems no on has a problem with that.
April 12th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
RICKY ROZAY!
April 12th, 2013 at 5:16 pm
Day late and a dollar short. Now if the record label would only drop him.
April 12th, 2013 at 5:17 pm
Now if only he had release THIS statement in the first place! Smh
Who wrote this for him?? Where was LA Reid, Shaheem Reid, and all the other fairly sensible people thats always building him up?? They should’ve coached this apology out of him/ his team from jump.
April 12th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
Stupid to have used the lyrics – i still don’t think any level of apology would’ve stopped the protesters and their campaigns. I love campaigns but hate inconsistency.
Polanski drugged and rapes a 14 yr old, flees the country and gets a grammy for a film meaning no one boycotted his work after such unspeakable crime.
Be consistent with the campaigns not selective!!!! Think more about your lyrics Ross…
April 12th, 2013 at 7:21 pm
That’s because in most Americans minds those people being killed and using/selling drugs are brown and black skinned, and they don’t count. But a rape lyric… That visual is a innocent white woman being attcaked by an aggressive black man.
April 12th, 2013 at 7:48 pm
I call bulllsh$%! The response was intelligent, coherent, & actually decipherable, all things Ross’ ignorant ass has shown himself not to be. Somebody with a suit & tie & a thesaurus wrote this. Ross better thank his lucky stars for that too otherwise he’d lose a lot more than what he already has! Besides all that he is the ultimate fake & doesn’t deserve any of the success he’s had! FACT! Back in the day, when being REAL actually meant something,his career would’ve ended the moment the C.O. nonsense came out! Just ask the REAL Rick Ross about this faker. He’ll tell you the real deal!
April 13th, 2013 at 12:53 am
Why is rape lyric in quotation marks? The lyrics were a textbook description of date rape I don’t understand what’s unclear about that.
Looking at some of these comments shows just how immature hip hop still can be. I am a woman (of color for all those who seem to think only white women are offended) & I love this art form. But there are moments like this when I feel unwelcome & unwanted in this culture. I’ve been a hip hop head for years but that rape culture mentality is harmful. Time to grow up & stop the bs.
April 13th, 2013 at 9:16 am
not necessarily whit women but RAPE IN GENERAL IS A TABOO EVEN EMEINEM DIDNT TOUCH ON RAPE…SO IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT RACE IS RAPING WHO.
April 13th, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Rap music is like a movie to me, the first time I heard ready to die I felt disgust, but all the hairs on my neck stood up, and I got goosebumps. I was offended but I listened again and again and that shit rocked my world.
Depicting atrocities in art isnt a crime, no one should ever apologize for art.
Rick ross is lame.
April 13th, 2013 at 6:28 pm
When you desensitize the music you desensitize the people and the culture.
The same way Hip-Hop artist “stay in the studio” to create lyrics that slowly destroy the sensibility of misguided youth while “painting pictures” they should also use that same vigor and create an “apology” in song form to show the youth their sincerity.
Because if this “rape lyric”‘ was a “diss song” the response would have been much swifter.
But what do I know…I’m just a Hip-Hop head on the internet.
PEACE
April 13th, 2013 at 9:39 pm
This sounds like something he should’ve said BEFORE he lost a multi-million dollar endorsement deal. That was all Reebok wanted him to do, and instead he gave them “MMG don’t condone rape” on Twitter like that was enough. #TooLittleTooLate Bruh
April 14th, 2013 at 8:43 am
I think the Rape lyrics just hits home for most women & men (Fathers, Brothers etc). When Rappers rap about killing and selling drugs people don’t see themselves being killed in a drug transaction. But Every woman in the world fears being drugged and raped while out having a good time. DMX & Biggie both had violent rape lines but again people assume that’s happening to people in their circle and criminals.
April 16th, 2013 at 5:22 am
Eminem didnt touch on rape!? which eminem you listening to? the song as the world turns comes to mind for starters.
May 1st, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Whatever Mr. Ross.
I think all parties concerned believe that what you did was stupid.
How stupid? Lets just put it this way: Reebok paid you enough money
to put at least 10 kids thru college (which is offensive enough in itself) and all you had to do was wear a pair
of shoes and don’t say or do anything stupid. Welp you got one outta three. You talk a good appology but: you knew that shit was wack when you wrote it. You knew that shit was wack when you recorded it. You damn sure knew that shit was wack when you sold the first copy.
Yet you talk like that song was made accident.
The CEO of Reebok was right, you need to check the roster on your organization and start surrounding yourself with people have got balls enough to tell you “Hold up Rick, you know that shit ain’t cool”.
If you learned anything from this whole mess, well good. Now go pay that shit forward.
Cleve817