The Sacramento Kings are conducting an investigation after rapper E-40 claimed security guards kicked him out of the Kings’ playoff game (game one) against the Golden State Warriors for “racial bias” reasons.
E-40 (real name Earl Stevens) claimed in a statement that a white woman heckled him the entire game on Saturday night. The “Sprinkle Me” rapper allegedly decided to address her “in an assertive but polite manner.” E-40 stated Kings’ security guards appeared and forced him to exit the arena.
“Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent,” E-40 said in a statement to the outlet. “Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a white woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.”
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
An anonymous person conversant with the issue shared with AP News that security removed E-40 from the game because fans behind him complained the rapper blocked their view due to him constantly standing. The nameless source said authorities at the game gave him multiple warnings about the complaints, but the “Hope I Don’t Go Back” rapper allegedly didn’t budge. Others said no one informed him of the complaints.
A video showed a white couple, mainly the white woman, continuously yelling at the OG while he was trying to enjoy the game. E-40 stood and turned to address the woman sitting a couple of rows behind him.
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Security approached E-40 and told him he had to leave while the woman and man continued heckling. Instead of kicking out the instigators, security ejected the rapper.
The Kings said they would look into the matter.
“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,” the Kings said in a statement.
E-40, a notorious Warriors fan, refused to attend the second game at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento because of the incident. He will attend the third game at Chase Center.
It’s not unheard of for white people to act a fool toward Black people at sports games, especially when there’s alcohol present. Since the investigation is ongoing, there’s no further detail, like if the white couple was intoxicated despite the video showing them having drinks in their hands.
However, white people are known to do unruly things to Black people at sports games, especially under the influence — for example, the New England Patriots fan who a woman heckled during a Raiders vs. Patriots game.
