ABOVE PHOTO: RAPPER E-40, proper, greets followers throughout Sport 1 of a second-round NBA basketball playoff sequence between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Path Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Might 1, 2016. The Sacramento Kings are investigating allegations from the rapper E-40 that “racial bias” led to him being kicked out of his seat throughout a playoff recreation towards the Golden State Warriors. E-40 mentioned in a press release that he was heckled all through the sport Saturday, April 15, 2023, night time and addressed one heckler “in an assertive however well mannered method” earlier than safety guards got here and ordered him to depart the world. (AP Photograph/Jeff Chiu, File)
By Josh Dubow
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Kings are investigating allegations from a Bay Space hip-hop star that “racial bias” led to him being kicked out of his seat throughout a playoff recreation towards the Golden State Warriors.
The rapper E-40 mentioned in a press release that he was heckled all through the sport Saturday night time and addressed one heckler “in an assertive however well mannered method” earlier than safety guards got here and ordered him to depart the world.
“Sadly, it was yet one more reminder that — regardless of my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias stays prevalent,” he mentioned in a press release. “Safety noticed a disagreement between a Black man and a white lady and instantly assumed that I used to be at fault.”
The Kings mentioned they’re investigating the circumstances behind the ejection.
“The Sacramento Kings take these claims critically and are investigating the details and circumstances relating to the scenario, as we do anytime an accusation like that is made,” the group mentioned in a press release.
An individual conversant in the scenario instructed The Related Press that E-40, whose actual identify is Earl Stevens, was standing and blocking the view of followers behind him and was given a warning after a number of complaints. The particular person spoke to the AP on situation of anonymity as a result of particulars of the scenario weren’t launched publicly.
The particular person mentioned E-40 refused to conform and that safety officers for the Warriors and Kings escorted him from his seat.
A second particular person acquainted scenario, additionally talking on situation of anonymity, mentioned E-40 was by no means given a warning by safety about “extreme standing.”
E-40 is a distinguished Warriors fan and was even a part of the delegation that visited the White Home earlier this season.
“It’s unlucky,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson mentioned. “I really like 40. He’s been our greatest supporter for years. I hope they proper that ship as a result of he deserves to be there by our bench. In my time figuring out him, he’s all the time been respectful. He’s all the time been thoughtful of these round him. Very bizarre to see, and I hope it’s resolved.”
E-40 is understood for his collaborations with different artists, together with on songs comparable to “I Don’t (Expletive) With You” with Massive Sean, “Snap Yo Fingers” with Lil Jon and Sean Paul of YoungBloodZ, and “U And Dat” with T-Ache and Kandi Lady.
