Hilltop Hoods ‘regret’ name-checking Bill Cosby in their song Cosby Sweater

HILLTOP Hoods say they ‘regret’ referencing Bill Cosby in their hit song. And they’ve been forced to say the lyrics aren’t about a sex act. So what does it mean?

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AUSTRALIAN rap stars Hilltop Hoods say they “regret” referencing Bill Cosby in their hit song Cosby Sweater and say the lyrics are not about a sex act.

The song mentions the 80s sitcom star who has since been accused of sexually assaulting a string of women in Hollywood (the song was released before the allegations against Cosby).

But ARIA-winning rap trio, who performed the song at the ARIAs in Sydney last night, say they have been inundated with emails asking what their reference to “a Cosby sweater” actually has a sexual meaning after an alternative definition for the phrase emerged.

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Not about that ... Hilltop Hoods “regret” referencing Bill Cosby in their song, Cosby Sweater.

The site Urban Dictionary suggested the term “Cosby sweater” had a sexual connotation to it.

The lyrics to Cosby Sweater say: “I feel in charge like Biggie, wearing that Cosby sweater.”

Hilltop Hoods say the song Cosby Sweater is about a “piece of clothing”, not a sex act.

In his 80s hey day, Cosby was known for wearing loud and colourful printed chunky knits on The Cosby Show.

But Hilltop Hoods said Cosby Sweater was inspired by a photo of the late rapper Notorious B.I.G. wearing a “Coogi sweater” — an Australian brand of colourful chunky knit that was popular in the 80s and early 90s.

In a statement on their Facebook page, the I Love It band said: “We’ve been getting a lot of emails asking if ‘Cosby Sweater’ was inspired by the urban dictionary definition of the phrase, I can tell you right now that it has NOTHING to do with it”.

Hilltop Hoods performed Cosby Sweater at the ARIAs in Sydney last night.

“The songs about a piece of clothing. A ridiculously colourful piece of clothing,” Hilltop Hoods said in the post, as reported by musicfeeds.com.au.

“To be honest we regret name checking Bill Cosby. Like some of you we’ve only recently become aware of the allegations against him.

“If he’s guilty of those allegations he can go jump in a fkn lake. A deep icy lake.”

The band also revealed they had pulled merchandise from their shows that featured a “caricature” of Cosby.

“Anyway, hopefully that gives some clarity on what the song’s about. Please, no more emails about the Urban Dictionary definition,” Hilltop Hoods said in the statement. “R.I.P. B.I.G.”

Hat’s off ... Bill Cosby has been accused of sexually assaulting numerous women by drugging them. Picture: Supplied

The Cosby Sweater song also references Tom Cruise, Christina Aguilera and the elevator fight between rapper Jay Z and Beyonce’s sister, Solange Knowles (“slap a rapper like Solange Knowles”).

Hilltop Hoods won Best Urban Album for Walking Under Stars at last night’s ARIA Awards.

Originally published as Hilltop Hoods ‘regret’ name-checking Bill Cosby in their song Cosby Sweater