Rick Ross issues his most sincere apology since the onslaught of criticism following lyrics from his verse on U.O.E.N.O. Coupled with social media and women’s rights groups, Ross was forced to respond to the lyrics at every turn. It appeared however that the rapper didn’t realize the impact of his lyrics. With continued pressure and shoe company Reebok officially releasing his endorsement, Ross has issued what appears to be a well-thought out apology.
“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. 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.”
–William Roberts (a.k.a “Rick Ross”)
I want to thank Reebok Classics for their hard work and dedication over this past year.
Reebok stated after cutting ties with Ross, “We are very disappointed he has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue or an appropriate level of remorse. At this time, it is in everyone’s best interest for Reebok to end its partnership with Mr. Ross.”
Is everyone satisfied now? The question still remains, as we stated earlier when Meek Mill defended his label boss, “Will all this buzz over the rap lyric be forgotten a few months from now? Will people truly turn this into a revolutionary moment for rap or will people just scurry on about their way feeling as if they have accomplished something magnificent simply by getting Reebok to pull the plug on the endorsement deal? When will we deal with ALL the violent lyrics against black men and general hatred toward women in hip hop? When will we hold ALL parties accountable?
