Rick Ross: 'Rape Lyrics' Cost Rapper Apologythrill

The performer claims his words were misinterpreted and he would never promote violence after the song led to protests.

US rapper Rick Ross has apologised for a "pro-rape" lyrics in one of his musics.

He tweeted after women's rights group UltraViolet protested outside one of his sponsors, Reebok, in Manhattan.

"I dont condone rape. Apologies for the #lyric interpreted as rape. @BOSS," he told his 2.8 million followers.

He later added: "Apologies to my many business partners, who would have never promote violence against women. @ReebokClassics @ultraviolet."

In his track U.O.E.N.O Ross raps about giving a woman thrill, also known by the slang term 'Molly'.

"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," says the 37-year-old.

The song was released in January but not quite long it started getting notice all over the world.

UltraViolet tweeted a picture of what it said was a 72,000 name petition urging Reebok to drop Ross and its members also turned up at the brand's flagship New York store on Thursday.

Ross previously told a US radio station that the track's lyrics had been misinterpreted.

The rapper is also named, alongside the likes of Lil Wayne, in a change.org petition entitled Rape, Rick Ross and Responsibility.

It calls for the record industry to "market and promote more positive and conscientious rap artists".

Ross, who was the target of a drive-by shooting in January, has had four number one albums on the US Billboard chart.