Reebok Terminates Rick Ross Endorsement Deal Over Rape Lyric

Sneaker giant Reebok announced that it has officially dropped rapper Rick Ross as an endorser over his controversial rape lyric.

In the song "U.O.E.N.O.," the hip hop artist alludes to slipping a woman a date rape drug and then having sex with her while she is unaware and possibly, unconscious.

"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," raps Ross.

The Maybach Music Group record label owner apologized for the lyric and claimed that it was being taken out of context.  However, he continued to receive a surge of backlash over the song from women, fans and women rights groups. 

As a result, the athletic retailer released a statement explaining their decision to end its partnership with the rapper citing his lack of "understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse."

Ross had an endorsement deal with the company and promoted its shoes in print and TV commercials.

Women's rights organizations and some politicians have been calling for protests and boycotts over the Miami-based rapper's song, while some radio stations dropped the record from their playlists.

During a recent radio interview in New Orleans, the rap star defended his lyrics stating that he doesn't condone rape and that his words are being misinterpreted.

"There was a misunderstanding with a lyric, a misinterpretation," he said. "I would never use the term 'rape' in my records and as far as my camp. Hip-hop don't condone that, the streets don't condone that, nobody condones that." He added, "We don't condone rape, and I'm not with that," on Q 93.3.

The emcee also posted an apology on his Twitter page last week stating, "I dont condone rape. Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape. #BOSS," adding, "Apologies to my many business partners,who would never promote violence against women. @ReebokClassics @ultraviolet."