Rick Ross lyrics removed from ‘U.O.E.N.O’

Rick Ross’ controversial lyrics will be removed from Atlanta rapper Rocko’s “U.O.E.N.O.�

The underground hip-hop artist announced that he would remove Ross from the song that landed the rapper-mogul in hot water for lyrics that seemingly promote date rape.

“The record with Ross, that will always be the original record,� he told New York radio station Hot 97 on Tuesday. “Because of the type of traction that the record has as far as radio and all over the country ... it puts me in a position where I have to change it.�

Rocko said he hasn’t made the final decision as to who will replace Ross on the track (it also features Future) when he releases it as an official single but said he has six different verses from “all types of different, talented artists, some multi-platinum.�

RELATED: Rick Ross apologizes for lyric ‘interpreted as rape’

Although Rocko didn’t attempt to justify Ross’ lyrics, he acknowledged that he needed to remove the polarizing verse to push the song to mainstream audiences.

“With all respect to the homie Ross … it’s a Catch-22. I don’t want to take him off. But one thing that’s set in stone is he’s always going to be on that song,� he said. “It doesn’t matter who I put on the song, that’s going to always be the original version. It’s not like I can do another version and call it the original.�

“U.O.E.N.O.� is lifted from Rocko’s latest mixtape. The track has been at the center of a firestorm due to Ross’ controversial guest verse.

“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,� he raps on the track.

Molly is the powder or crystal form of pure MDMA, a substance typically found in Ecstasy. The drug, which has also been referenced in lyrics by Kanye West, Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz, is known for its ability to reduce inhibitions and provide feelings of euphoria, especially when the user is touched by another person.

Ross drew the ire of listeners and critics, and a number of organizations, including anti-sexism collective UltraViolet, have launched petitions to have the rapper-mogul dropped as a spokesman for Reebok. UltraViolet’s petition has surpassed 72,000 signatures.

Ross brushed off the controversy as a simple “misunderstanding� and apologized -- not for the actual lyrics but for what’s been “interpreted as rape.�

Last week, UltraViolet staged a protest outside Reebok’s flagship store in New York City and presented store representatives with boxes containing the petitions.

UltraViolet announced Tuesday that it had ramped up its campaign to get Ross canned over the lyrics it deemed “dangerous,� with more than 150 survivors of sexual assault banding together for an open letter to the athletic company. Reebok has remained silent on the campaign.