TORONTO — Canadian rapper Drake has apologized for criticizing Rolling Stone‘s decision to replace him with Philip Seymour Hoffman on the cover of its latest issue.
Drake said Friday he “completely” supports and agrees with the magazine’s choice.
In a message posted on his website, Drake said Hoffman “is one of the most incredible actors of our time and a man that deserves to be immortalized by this publication.”
Earlier in the week he called the press “evil” and said: “I’m done doing interviews for magazines.”
Get daily National news
The Toronto-born rap star said his frustration “stemmed from the way it was executed.”
He explained: “I was not able to salvage my story or my photos and that was devastating. They ran the issue without giving me a choice to be in it or not. I would have waited until it was my time because I understand the magnitude of the cover they chose but I just wasn’t given that option and that made me feel violated.”
Drake offered an apology.
“In no way would I ever want to offend the Hoffman family or see myself as bigger than that moment. I am still the same person,” he said.
Drake admitted it did not feel good to be picked apart.
“I respect Rolling Stone for being willing to give a kid from Toronto a shot at the cover,” he wrote. “I guess this is a day to learn and grow.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.