Superproducer Timbaland has publicly apologised to Chris Brown after he criticised the R&B star for featuring late singer Aaliyah on a track.

The Try Again icon, who died in a 2001 plane crash, appears as a hologram in the promo for the Kiss Kiss hitmaker's tune Don't Think They Know, which also features vocals she recorded before her untimely death.

Timbaland, who was close to Aaliyah before her passing, hit out at Brown over the project, and was quoted by Revolt Tv as saying, "People always say, 'I'm going to do a song with Aaliyah.' It will never work. Chris Brown got a record, it won't work. Drake can go do a record with Aaliyah, it ain't gonna work. 'Cause Aaliyah's music only works with its soul mate, which is me."

However, he has now reached out to Brown in a series of posts on his Twitter.com page, insisting he just feels "sensitive" when it comes to his late friend and her legacy.

He writes, "I want 2 (to) publicly apologise 2 my lil homie (sic) Chris Brown 4 (for) my statements on Revolt regarding the Aaliyah collaborations. I actually like the song wit (with) him n (and) Aaliyah, it's just when you are talking about (sic) baby girl it's a very sensitive subject with me.

"So the people who not only worked with her but grew a bond so tight we are like family so I'm very over protective over her. I have mad luv 4 (love for) my dude Chris Brown...

"A mother lost a daughter. A brother lost a sister. That is (sic) still grieving over her passing. It is just a very sensitive subject. I just want the family to be respected."