WALLEN ISSUES VIDEO APOLOGY, VOWS TO MAKE CHANGES

Eight days after TMZ released footage of Morgan Wallen using a racial slur, the chart-topper issued a second, more substantial statement. Apologizing to those he's hurt, he vowed to make changes—saying he'd been sober for nine days—and revealed that he'd met with leaders of the Black community who'd enlightened him, in part by making him understand the power of his words.

He asked that no one defend him and said he deserves all the "penalties" accrued by his mistake. He mentioned a "return" to music, saying the timing would depend solely on him and the work he put into it. "I still have a lot of really good people in my corner trying to help and I appreciate that," he continued. "I'll keep searching for ways to become the example, instead of being made one."

Since the initial video surfaced on 2/2, Cumulus, iHeartRadio, Spotify and Apple Music have limited programming of Wallen's music. He's been suspended by his label, Big Loud, disqualified from this year's ACM Awards and dropped by his agency, WME.

Meanwhile, his album Dangerous logged its fourth consecutive week at #1, increased in sales and is on pace for a fifth week atop the album chart.

Watch Wallen's full statement below.