Dee Barnes and Michel’le Respond to Dr. Dre’s Apology

Dr. Dre’s recent apology to the women he abused in the past was met with both compassion and skepticism. Although the veteran producer didn’t mention any names in his statement, two of his victims -- journalist Dee Barnes and his ex-girlfriend Michel’le -- have come forward to address the sincerity of his apology.

As you may know, the N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton omitted Dre’s infamous attack on Barnes in a club as well as other assaults on women, including Tairrie B, whom he allegedly punched twice at a Grammy Awards party in 1990.

Barnes, who blasted the film’s producers for hiding the truth, wrote a second column for Gawker where she addressed Dre’s recent apology.

“I hope he meant it. I hope he represents these words in his life. I hope that after all these years, he really is a changed man,” she writes.

"Dr. Dre has matured, and the women he’s hurt, including myself, have endured," she continues. "I’m proud to be able to say goodbye to the man who at one point was straight outta f---s to give, as he consistently dismissed and disrespected any mention of his assault history. Goodbye to the man who didn’t deny it and even bragged, 'I just did it, you know. Ain’t nothing you can do now by talking about it. Besides, it ain’t no big thing - I just threw her through a door.'”

Although it appears that Barnes accepts Dre's apology, she plans on telling her side of the story in her upcoming memoir, Music, Myth, and Misogyny: Memoirs of a Female MC.

Meanwhile, Michel’le feels Dre's apology was a PR move to please his business partners, particularly Apple and Universal, which distributed Straight Outta Compton.

“I didn’t ask for a public apology, and I think if he is going to apologize, he should do it individually,” she told BBC Radio 5. “To just group us like we are nothing and nobody -- I just don’t think it’s sincere. Treat us like we have names. He’s selling a movie. I just think it’s good PR at the moment."

What do you think of Dee Barnes and Michel'le's response to Dr. Dre's apology? Tell us in the comments below.