Rapper E40 alleges “racial bias” after being escorted out of a Sacramento Kings/Golden State Warriors NBA playoff game on Saturday night.
Sources, including fans sitting near the incident, vary in their recounting of the incident as it unfolded; but video footage popped up on social media, showing security escorting E40, real name Earl Stevens, out of the stands as he engaged in a back and forth with a female recording him with her phone.
E40 took to social media to explain his side of the story, alleging that a female sitting behind him heckled him through much of the game. When he turned to address the heckler in “an assertive yet polite manner,” security guards moved in to remove the rapper as the altercation escalated.
Speaking to the reasoning for his removal, and not the heckler’s, E40 cited a racial bias: “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.”
Meanwhile, some fans have come out contesting E40’s account of the incident, saying that the Bay Area rapper was standing in the courtside area, blocking fans behind him from seeing the game. After numerous warnings from security, the rapper was escorted out during the heightened altercation between the rapper and the female behind him.
Numerous players and celebrities have commented on the incident. Many just want to see the situation handled peaceably, as E40 has been a longtime fan and constant supporter of the Golden State Warriors. Speaking to E40’s character, former basketball player Jalen Rose stated that the account of the rapper being belligerent is uncharacteristic and that the organization needs to apologize.
The Sacramento Kings issued a statement vowing to look into the matter: “The Sacramento Kings take these claims seriously and are investigating the facts and circumstances regarding the situation, as we do an accusation like this anytime is made,”
