Jason Aldean took some major criticism last Halloween when pictures emerged of the country singer wearing blackface makeup while costumed as Lil Wayne, with critics accusing Aldean of being, at best, racially insensitive and, at worst, just plain racist.

Commenting on the brouhaha nearly a year later, Aldean is apologetic to those whom he offended, but admits he didn’t realize it would be such a big deal.

RELATED: Rep Confirms Jason Aldean Wore Blackface For Halloween Costume

“In this day and age people are so sensitive that no matter what you do, somebody is going to make a big deal out of it,” Aldean tells Billboard, the first time he has publicly commented on the controversy.

“Me doing that had zero malicious intent … I get that race is a touchy subject, but not everybody is that way,” he adds. “Media tends to make a big deal out of things. If that was disrespectful to anyone, I by all means apologize. That was never my intention. It never crossed my mind.”