Rap legend E-40 is citing racial bias as the reason why he was ejected from his courtside seat during Game 1 of the Golden State Warriors NBA Playoffs game against the Sacramento Kings.
The 55-year-old rapper and entrepreneur, whose real name is Earl Stevens, was ejected from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento during the game’s second half on Saturday night (April 15).
In a statement to The Athletic, E-40, who is a die-hard Golden State Warriors fan, said that he was kicked out of the arena after addressing a heckler, who was white.
The rapper went on point out the obvious racial bias saying, “Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.”
Read his full statement below.
On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento.
During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner.
Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings’ security team approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter, and proceeded to kick me out of the arena.
Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent.
Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.
I’ve attended countless NBA games throughout my lifetime and have always prided myself in professionalism, so this experience has been jarring.
I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings’ security team and I’m calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired.
I’m truly grateful for my fans and supporters who have reached out to express their concern and disappointment regarding these disheartening circumstances and I hope those involved are held accountable for their behavior.
The Kings issued a statement to The Athletic saying:
The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do anytime an accusation like this is made.
Sources told ESPN’s Marc J. Spears that security warned E-40 multiple times about standing excessively and blocking the view of fans behind him.
After he failed to comply, Kings and Warriors security escorted him out without incident.
E-40’s people said he was never given a warning about standing excessively.
Something in the milk ain’t clean about this.
E-40 is an avid Golden State Warriors fan and he and his beautiful wife, Tracy Stevens, are almost always spotted courtside at games.
He is not new to this and definitely knows how to conduct himself at an NBA Playoffs game.
About E-40
E-40 is a rapper, actor, and entrepreneur hailing from Vallejo, California.
He began his music career in the late 1980s as a member of the rap group, The Click, with his brother D-Shot and their cousins B-Legit and Suga-T.
E-40 released his debut album, Federal, in 1993.
30 years later, he is hailed as one of the West Coast rap legends with 26 studio albums released and classic hits like, “Sprinkle Me,” “Tell Me When To Go,” “Captain Save A Hoe,” and “Rapper’s Ball.”
In 2012, E-40 was inducted into the Bay Area Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.
Put some respect on his name.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below or join the convo on our socials. (Facebook, Instagram)
Source: The Athletic
