Melle Mel is reflecting and decided that his new diss track that took aim at Eminem was a regrettable move.

On Saturday (August), the hip-hop pioneer, who dropped the song earlier in the week, took to his social media and apologized to the Detriot rapper, saying he “fell short.”

“In light of the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, my original intention was to contribute an engaging and enjoyable endeavor to enrich the cultural landscape,” the statement reads. “Regrettably, my response fell short in its execution, and I accept full responsibility for the misjudgment. I acknowledge that my perspective was ill-conceived and I am prepared to take ownership of this oversight. It has become evident that Eminem’s dedicated and passionate fan base stands unwaveringly by his side, which is a testament to their genuine admiration and loyalty—a truly commendable aspect.

“From the onset, I have consistently recognized Eminem’s exceptional prowess as an emcee, without reservation,” he continued. “My unfortunate choice of words, suggesting that his success is solely attributed to the color of his skin was in no way reflective of my genuine beliefs. It was an attempt, albeit misguided, to engage competitively within the emcee sphere.

Mel concluded: “It is important to acknowledge that the dynamics of Hip-Hop have evolved over distinct eras, and it is inevitable that not everyone will resonate with my perspective, just as I may not fully comprehend others. Throughout my involvement in shaping the Hip-Hop landscape, the cornerstone has been built upon a foundation of mutual respect, even when personal preferences may differ.”

Mel’s conflict with Em began after an appearance on The Art of Dialogue when he suggested that if the platinum-selling artist wasn’t white, he wouldn’t be considered one of the top five rappers alive, referring to Billboard’s 50 Greatest Rappers Of All Time list, which Em ranked 5th.