Los Angeles, Nov 30 (IANS): Singer Steven Tyler has publicly apologised to singer Nicki Minaj after the rapper accused him of making a racist comment about her judging abilities on "American Idol".

The Aerosmith frontman, who stepped down as a judge on the show earlier this year, sparked a Twitter feud with Minaj earlier this week, when he suggested that Minaj would not be able to spot the next great artist if he showed up on stage in front of her.

He tweeted, "If it was Bob Dylan, Nicki Minaj would have had him sent to the cornfield. Whereas, if it was Bob Dylan with us, we would have brought the best of him out."

This had enraged Minaj. However, Tyler insists his comments have been misconstrued and he never intended to insult Minaj, reports express.co.uk.

During an appearance on Canadian entertainment show eTalk, he said, "I apologise if it was taken wrong, Nicki. But I am the farthest from (being a racist). I am the last thing on this planet as far as being a racist."

He added, "I don't know where she got that out of me saying I'm not sure how she would've judged Bob Dylan. Maybe I spoke out of turn, but a racist I'm not, Nicki."