E-40, center, watches throughout an NBA basketball recreation between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Path Blazers in San Francisco, Dec. 30, 2022. 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.
Jeff Chiu/AP
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Jeff Chiu/AP
E-40, center, watches throughout an NBA basketball recreation between the Golden State Warriors and the Portland Path Blazers in San Francisco, Dec. 30, 2022. 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.
Jeff Chiu/AP
The Sacramento Kings say they’re investigating an incident through which the rapper E-40 was ejected from their area throughout Saturday’s playoff recreation towards the Golden State Warriors, an incident he says was the results of “racial bias.”
The rapper, born Earl Stevens, Jr., stated in a press release to NPR that he was subjected to “disrespectful heckling” throughout Saturday’s playoff recreation and addressed one heckler in an “assertive however well mannered” method earlier than being ordered to go away the Golden 1 Middle area by safety guards.
“Sadly, it was yet one more reminder that — regardless of my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias stays prevalent,” the rapper stated 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,” he added.
The precise trigger for the rapper’s removing from the world continues to be unclear, and the Kings say they’re investigating why he was ejected.
“The Sacramento Kings take these claims critically and are investigating the information and circumstances concerning the state of affairs, as we do anytime an accusation like that is made,” the crew stated in a press release.
The 55-year-old rapper stated that whereas he is attended numerous NBA video games all through his lifetime and has at all times prided himself on professionalism, Saturday’s expertise was “jarring.”
“I used to be completely humiliated by the Kings’ safety crew and I am calling on the franchise to analyze the appalling conduct that transpired,” the rapper stated.
Stevens, a Bay Space native, is a distinguished Golden State Warriors fan and was a part of the crew’s delegation that visited the White Home earlier this 12 months.
“It is unlucky. I really like 40. He is been our greatest supporter for years,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson instructed reporters Sunday.
“I hope they proper that ship as a result of he deserves to be there by our bench. In my time realizing him, he is at all times been respectful. He is at all times been thoughtful of these round him. Very bizarre to see, and I hope it is resolved,” he added.