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After a good two weeks of rightly catching hell in the media for his past hellish actions, Dr. Dre has issued an apology to the women he’s abused in his past.

In a statement, given to the New York Times, he said:

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

Then, Apple Music issued a cosign.

“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.”

Dre and Apple have a relationship. You may remember Apple famously purchased Dr. Dre’s Beats for $3 billion, making him the “first billionaire of Hip Hop.” Later, it was announced that Dre partnered with Apple Music as a consultant.

Still, their two cents didn’t add anything to his original statement.

I’m the first person to argue that celebrity apologies are almost always heavily and unfairly scrutinized. And I’m sure public figures know that when you’re apologizing to this many people, someone’s always going to have a problem with it. But in this instance, with this apology, there’s good reason for it.

Apple made this worse.

People assume that celebrity apologies are sincere because they’re only attempting to protect themselves from litigation, damaging your reputation in the public eye or losing endorsements/ business deals.

For Apple, the company who is working so closely with Dre, to come out and speak this boldly about his personal life, when they don’t go home with him at night is just ridiculous. No one can swear for how much Dre has changed except for his current wife. Apple is simply trying to protect their brand and their investment. That’s crystal clear.

When I first read Dr. Dre’s apology I thought it was pretty decent, sincere even.

But I’m a sucker for the comment section and the people on Jezebel took issue with the line I deeply regret what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”

They felt he shouldn’t have likened any guilt or consequences he experienced because of his abuse, to any of the physical, emotional, mental and psychological scars the women endured and are still dealing with today.

I don’t know about that. Sure, Dr. Dre hasn’t suffered like they’ve suffered. And I actually don’t think he was trying to insinuate that he has. But his life was impacted. I’d assume negatively so. And I don’t think acknowledging that abusing others takes a toll on the abuser too, makes the apology any less sincere. Remember, he and Michel’le share a child together. I’m sure their abusive relationship affected his son, in one way or another. I think acknowledging that shows the ways in which he’s taking further responsibility.

One of the more salient points though came when someone mentioned that an apology for this type of abuse would seem far more sincere if it were done privately. I’m not saying Dre needs to show up to each and every woman’s door steps; but a letter, a phone call or something would be nice.

Again, it’s a shame that this apology only came after he was dragged for completely omitting it in his highly successful group biopic. The timing will always make people question it.

Still, I don’t think real change and growth eludes Dr. Dre. If he handles his personal matters privately, without the interference of his business partners, then perhaps his victims, Dee Barnes, Michel’le and Tairrie B (real name Theresa Murphy) will find some closure.

What do you make of Dr. Dre’s apology?

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