Former "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler has stepped forward to clear the air on comments he made earlier in the week which sparked negative reaction from current panelist Nicki Minaj.

Rather than try to justify his remarks, the Aerosmith head apologized to Nicki.

"I apologize if it was taken wrong, Nicki," Tyler said in an interview. "I am the last thing on this planet as far as being a racist. I don't know where she got that out of me saying I'm not sure how she would have judged Bob Dylan....Maybe I spoke out of turn--but a racist I'm not, Nicki." (e Talk)

Earlier in the week, Nicki hopped on Twitter and lashed out at the music icon.

"Steven Tyler said I would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield??? Steven, you haven't seen me judge one single solitary contestant yet!," Nicki tweeted November 26th.