Rick Ross Feels The Heat, Finally Speaks After Reebok Store Protest

Maybach Music Group leader Rick Ross appears to feel the pressure starting to mount up and has issued an apology over his controversial "U.O.E.N.O" date rape lyrics.

Rather than going back to a radio station or putting out a video, Ross tweeted out his apology to anyone upset over his lyrics.

“I dont condone rape.Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape. #BOSS,” Ross tweeted April 4th.

“Apologies to my many business partners,who would never promote violence against women. @ReebokClassics @ultraviolet” (Rick Ross’ Twitter)

The tweet came shortly before a scheduled afternoon Reebok store protest was set to go down in New York City.

“In remaining silent, Reebok is using it’s brand to promote rape,” said Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet. “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.” (Statement)

Prior to the announcement, Ross tried to clear his name and dissociate himself from the date rape-interpreted lyrics.

“I want to make sure this is clear,” Ross said in an interview. “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. I would never use the word rape in my records. And as far as my camp, hip-hop don’t condone that, streets don’t condone that. Nobody condones that, you understand me? I just wanted to reach out to all the queens that’s on my timeline, all the sexy ladies, the beautiful ladies that have been reaching out to me about the misunderstanding. We don’t condone rape and I’m not with that.” (Q 93.3)

His comments struck a chord with New York native Talib Kweli who publicly went at him.

“I don’t care if Rick Ross is 40 years old — he’s a misguided 40-year-old person.” Strong words from Talib Kweli Monday as he addressed the recent controversy over Rick Ross’ rap verse on the song U.O.E.N.O. While Ross seems to have chalked the controversy surrounding his lyrics up to some unspecified “misunderstanding,” many are not buying his explanation. “Rick Ross condoned rape in that song … and he should apologize, and his apology that he offered was unacceptable.” Kweli continued. (Huffington Post)