Bay Area rapper E-40, a noted Golden State Warriors fan, was ejected from Saturday’s NBA Playoffs game between the Warriors and Sacramento Kings. He would later claim that “racial bias” was what led to his removal from the arena.
According to the hip-hop legend, whose real name is Early Stevens, he said that he was “subjected to disrespectful heckling” throughout the game. During the fourth quarter he “turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner.”
Hip-hop artist E-40 says racial bias was the reason behind him being kicked out of Golden 1 Center midway through the fourth quarter of Golden State-Sacramento on Saturday night and he is requesting the Kings to investigate. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/15Lwl2lJZF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 16, 2023
After that, “Kings security approached me, assumed I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena,” adding that “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.”
Video of the rapper’s confrontation with security was shared on social media as well.
E40: “tell me when to go”
Security: “ok bet….that way sir…” pic.twitter.com/pMWr2QdKXF
— Dr Pepper Steaks (@VictorySlap4700) April 16, 2023
E-40 is a prominent fan of the Warriors, often sitting next to the team bench. He also joined the team at the White House this year to celebrate last season’s NBA title.
It’s an unfortunate look and we’ll see if the Kings or arena security releases a statement to provide their side of the story.
[ESPN]
