Few celebrities, whether they be actors or musicians, are as synonymous with their city as E-40 is with the Bay Area.
Whether it be the 49ers, Giants, or Warriors, the rapper, whose real name is Earl Stevens, is nearly always present.
It was no surprise, then, to see him sitting near the court during Game 1 of Kings vs. Warriors at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. What was surprising, however, was when he was ushered out by Kings security. Video shows him speaking (at times animatedly) to security before leaving the arena.
MORE: Kings' De'Aaron Fox joins elite company with playoff debut
According to Andscape's Marc J. Spears, E-40 was removed from the arena because he was standing excessively in his courtside seats, blocking the view of others. The Kings said they issued warnings to the rapper, but he was asked to leave after he didn't comply. E-40's camp, meanwhile, told Spears that no warning was issued.
A source close to E-40 says a warning was never given by Golden 1 security for standing excessively.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) April 16, 2023
Following his ejection, E-40 issued a statement that cited "racial bias" as the reason he was ejected.
E-40 statement on being kicked out of Kings game
E-40's statement asserts that he was subjected to "disrespectful heckling" throughout the game, and it was only when he turned to address the situation in an "assertive but polite manner" that security intervened. He also said "racial bias remains prevalent" as he claims security assumed he, a Black man, had instigated the encounter with a white woman.
On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-Kings game in Sacramento. During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and addressed one heckler in an assertive but polite manner. Yet, shortly thereafter, Kings' security approached me, assumed that I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena.
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.
I've attended countless NBA games throughout my lifetime and have always prided myself in my professionalism, so this experience has been jarring. I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings' security team and I'm calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired.
I'm truly grateful for my fans and supporters who have reached out to express their concern and disappointment regarding these disheartening circumstances and I hope those involved are held accountable for their behavior.
