For years, many people have complained about the destructive rhetoric that surrounds Hip Hop. The gangsta rap era has come and gone, but the abusive, misogynistic language that the genre ushered in remains with us.
Rick Ross has been embroiled in controversy for lyrics in his new single “U.O.E.N.O” that imply date rape.
“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.”
Ross has responded in an interview with Q93, a New Orleans radio station, saying that his lyrics have been misinterpreted and that he’s not condoning rape of any sort, reports Rap-Up.
“I want to make sure this is clear that woman is the most precious gift known to man,” said the 37-year-old rap mogul. “It was a misunderstanding with a lyric, a misinterpretation where the term rape wasn’t used.”
He distanced himself from the allegations. “But 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 said, while extending an apology to his female fans who were offended.
“I just wanted to reach out to all the queens that’s on my timeline, all the sexy ladies, the beautiful ladies that had been reaching out to me with the misunderstanding. We don’t condone rape and I’m not with that.”
Um. Ok. But Ross didn’t clarify at all what the record really was implying besides rape. So that apology without a logical explanation is as good of a fit as an A-cup bra for Rick Ross’ D-cup-sized man boobs.
Lil’ Wayne found himself in similar controversy for the lyrics to his remix to Future’s cut “Karate Chop.” He compared “beating up” a woman’s vagina to the brutal beating and murder of Emmett Till.
“Bout to put rims on my skateboard wheels / Beat that p—y up like Emmett Till,” Weezy rapped.
Enough is enough, said Michigan hip hop station WUVS-LP 103.7 The Beat. There will be no more Lil’ Wayne or Rick Ross music played on the station in protest of the two rapper’s recent lyrical transgressions, reports Necole Bitchie.
Here’s the full statement from the station:
The questions have been asked, Is Hip Hop Music Destroying America, Is Hip Hop A Threat To Our Children or Should Rappers Be Accountable For Their Lyrics? You be the judge.
Earlier this year the song “Karate Chop” leaked online featuring rapper Lil Wayne. He raps, “Bout to put rims on my skateboard wheels/Beat that (expletive/woman genital) up like Emmett Till.”
A few weeks later a song by rapper Rocko featuring Rick Ross was released called “You Don’t Even Know It.” Rick Ross raps, “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.” Yes, we have our freedom of speech right, but when is freedom of speech taken too far?”
Many would say both rappers have taken their lyrical content too far and offended too many. The family and estate of Emmett Till have released a statement of disapproval over Lil Wayne’s disregard and disrespectful lyrics. Though his record label issued a statement of apology, the rapper has yet to do so.
In the case of Rick Ross, a petition has been started over his blatant disregard for women and the issue of date rape. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that over 300,000 women are raped or sexually assaulted per year in the United States alone. That is a disturbing number and should not be taken lightly.
His lyrics not only condone the behavior, but he boasts about it in the song. While some feel it’s only entertainment, many feel it sends and encourages the wrong message. Several individuals and organizations have taken a stand and so are we.
Effective immediately Muskegon’s WUVS-LP 103.7 the Beat has pulled ALL Lil Wayne and Rick Ross music from rotation. We pride ourselves on playing music that is non-degrading and non-violent. While we believe in freedom of speech, creative writing and individualism, we refuse to be part of the problem by spreading messages that could harm or end someone’s life.
Wow. That’s all nice and everything, but the reality is this a small station based out of West Michigan. They can afford to do this because the audience tuning in was already small anyway.
Now if Hot 97 or Power 105 in New York City, or Atlanta’s V-103 or Hot 107.9 put a ban on Rick Ross and Lil’ Wayne, then we’d be talking.
Will one of the big boys in radio be bold enough to take a stand for dignity, women and respect? Probably not. Hip Hop has way too much riding on bad behavior and mental poison to bite the hand that feeds it.
