Apple goes on the record over Dr. Dre’s controversial past

Beats co-founder and Apple employee Dr. Dre has responded to reports citing the rapper-turned-executive’s controversial past, including allegations of physically abusing women.

A New York Times report documents “decades old” allegations critics say were ‘glossed over’ by the box office smash Straight Outta Compton, which charts the rise of Dre as a member of the groundbreaking group N.W.A.

In response to the report, which features specific details of the alleged abuse, Dre issued an apology to “the women I’ve hurt.”

The statement read: “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.

“I apologise to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”

Apple was also called on to comment having spent over $3 billion to acquire Dre and Jimmy Iovine’s company, which it recently folded into the new Apple Music offering.

Apple wrote: “Dre has apologised 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.”

See also: Apple Beats 1: 12 hours with radio Apple

The story puts squeaky clean Apple in somewhat of an awkward position, given how prominently Dre’s music and personality features as part of Apple Music and Beats 1.

The company, so careful about its public image, is very vocal about a number of equality and diversity issues. The firm recently went on record about the increased number of women it is hiring in response to allegations of sexism in male-dominated Silicon Valley.