Reebok drops Rick Ross over allegations song condones rape

Reebok has ended its relationship with Rick Ross following heavy criticism of lyrics by the rapper considered by some to promote rape.

"Reebok holds our partners to a high standard and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so," the sneaker brand said in a statement Thursday.

Ross formally apologized for his lyrics on Rocko's song "U.O.E.N.O." in a tweet last week. It came the same day a women's group, UltraViolet, protested outside of one Reebok's stores in New York.

"I don't condone rape. Apologies for the lyric interpreted as rape," Ross' tweet said.

In Rocko's song, Ross raps about giving a woman the drug MDMA, known as Molly, and having his way with her. The lyrics say: "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."

Reebok added that "we are very disappointed (Ross) has yet to display an understanding of the seriousness of this issue."