Steven Tyler Apologizes to Nicki Minaj over Harsh 'American Idol' Remarks, Sparks Twitter Rant: Insists 'I'm Not a Racist' after 'Cornfield' Diss

During a recent interview with MTV, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler had some rather harsh words of "advice" for "American Idol" newbie Nicki Minaj. Somehow, the rocker managed to combine "Bob Dylan," "cornfield," and "Phillip Phillips" all in one statement... and basically dissed Minaj's musical talent and taste. The "Starships" songstress didn't take the remarks lying down, and jumped into her own Twitter tirade against Tyler on Monday (Nov. 26). Now Tyler wants his fans to know that he isn't a racist and that his comments weren't meant to personally offend or disparage Minaj. Do Mstarz fans think the pop diva will accept Tyler's apology?

Here's the remark that Tyler recently made in an interview with MTV News, which Minaj found downright racist:

"You just have to give your opinion. It wasn't hard for me, but I would imagine it's hard for some people. They need a manager to say, 'Shut the f--- up, and just give them your opinion'... These kids, they just got out of a car from the Midwest somewhere, and they're in New York City - they're scared to death! 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, as we did with Phillip Phillips. Just saying."

Minaj then lashed out at the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer on Twitter, posting:

@NICKIMINAJ: "Steven Tyler said I would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield??? Steven, you haven't seen me judge one single solitary contestant yet!... I understand you really wanted to keep your job but take that up with the producers. I haven't done anything to you. That's a racist comment... You assume that I wouldn't have liked Bob Dylan??? why? black? rapper? what? go f##k yourself and worry about yourself babe... LOL lets make him a shirt that says 'No Coloreds Allowed' then escort him down 2 Barbara Walters so he can tell how he was threatened w/guns... When Steven 1st went on Idol he was ridiculed by his peers & fans alike. Called a sell out. So what does he do? Ridicule the next judge."

Woah.

Tyler then tried to save some face on Tuesday when he appeared on Canada's entertainment show "eTalk" - "I apologize 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... I don't know where she got that out of me saying I'm not sure how she would've judged Bob Dylan."

Oh, the "American Idol" drama (and the season hasn't even aired yet)!

In the end, Tyler basically admitted "my bad" - "Maybe I spoke out of turn. But a racist I'm not, Nicki."