Aerosmith's Steven Tyler: 'I'm Not A Racist'

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been forced to deny he’s racist in the wake of an inflammatory accusation from pop star Nick Minaj on Twitter.

The incident stems from comments 64-year-old Tyler made earlier this week about his successor Nicki Minaj’s judging skills on US ‘talent show’ American Idol.

Reflecting on the calibre of auditionees, Tyler told MTV: "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."

In a vitriolic response on Twitter, Nicki Minaj blasted: "Steven Tyler said I would have sent Bob Dylan to a cornfield??? You assume that I wouldn't have liked Bob Dylan??? Why? Black? Rapper? What? Go f**k yourself and worry about yourself babe.

"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."

Clearly concerned about the potential damage to his character, Tyler has told Canadian television show eTalk that he definitely isn’t racist.

He said: "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. Maybe I spoke out of turn, but a racist I'm not, Nicki."

Aerosmith continue their extensive North American Global Warming Tour in Las Vegas tomorrow night.