Dr. Dre Apology Raises Concerns From Critics Questioning Rapper’s Motives

Sometimes the only thing that clears the air is a heartfelt apology. Dr. Dre put that notion to the test on Friday when he issued a statement in which he took responsibility for physically abusing a number of women during the course of his life. As noted by Inquisitr, Dre’s apology comes in the wake of criticism that the blockbuster film Straight Outta Compton omits some of the more misogynistic deeds of influential rap pioneers, N.W.A.

Dr. Dre’s apology came through a statement issued to the New York Times. People Magazine republished the comments, noting that Dre did not address any specific allegations.

“Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.”

While many welcomed the overture by Dr. Dre, others questioned the timing and sincerity of his sentiments. On the “Page Six” feature of The New York Post, writer Emily Smith suggested that Apple was behind the apology. Dr. Dre’s close association with the company — including their purchase of his Beats headphones line and a direct release to iTunes of his recent album Compton— reportedly led company brass to fear a backlash over the decades-old abuse allegations, Smith noted.

Indeed, Apple injected itself into the public discussion over Dr. Dre’s past following the release of his statement. The company expressed their support and appreciation for the apology. Dr. Dre was also lauded for the success he has achieved as an artist and as an individual.

“Dre has apologized for the mistakes he’s made in the past and he’s said that he’s not the same person that he was 25 years ago. We believe his sincerity and after working with him for a year and a half, we have every reason to believe that he has changed.”

Conservative pundit Rush Limbaugh made light of the situation on his radio show, musing that liberalism and political correctness were the driving factors behind Dre’s public mea culpa.

“What about the women last year? Just kidding. I don’t know anything. I’m just kidding. Dr. Dre, savior of Apple music with the great group from the rap days gone by, NWA, Cop Killer, big tune, now a big movie, Straight Out of Compton, big soundtrack by Dr. Dre. He’s apologizing for all the women he beat up in the nineties. Man, oh, man. … I never thought I’d see the day where political correctness would reach hip-hop. I never, ever imagined that would ever happen.”

Limbaugh also linked Apple and Beats to the Apology. Dr. Dre, he noted, bought an expensive mansion after the business deal with Apple and Limbaugh joked that the rapper should host a get-together for the women he victimized.

“He’s a billionaire because Apple bought Beats. In fact, Dr. Dre bought Tom
Brady’s house out in Brentwood. Brady and his wife built this massive $50 million moat house, whatever, and they decided they wished they’d built it in Brookline, Massachusetts, so they rebuilt the thing in Brookline and sold it and Dr. Dre bought it for $65 million after the Apple merger … I think he could have had all those girls in the nineties over to the former Tom Brady house and apologize to them at the pool. Political correctness in hip-hop. That means anything is possible in Ferguson, folks.”

Regardless of critiques from his detractors, the platinum-selling recording artist seems content moving forward after coming to terms with mistakes through his apology. Dr. Dre married his current wife Nicole Young in 1996. She was portrayed in Straight Outta Compton, but specifics involving the women who were victims of Dre’s documented abuse were omitted.

[Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Getty Images for BET]