LOS ANGELES: American hip hop artiste Dr Dre has issued a statement to the New York Times apologising to “the women I’ve hurt” without specifically acknowledging the reason for the apology.

The 50-year-old music mogul says in comments published on August 21 on the New York Times website that he “deeply regret(s) what I did and know that it has forever impacted all of our lives”.

Dre pleaded no contest to criminal battery charges following allegations he violently attacked journalist Dee Barnes in 1991. Barnes published a story online about the assault. Other women, including Dre’s former girlfriend Michel’le, have also claimed he was violent toward them.

Attention on the decades-old charges resurfaced after last week’s release of the hit biopic Straight Outta Compton, which omits mention of the Barnes incident or any allegations of violence against Dre. The film tells origin story of rap group N.W.A. Dre said in his statement, 25 years ago, he was “a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. 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.”