E-40 & Sacramento Kings Release Joint Statement on Rapper’s Escorted Exit From Game

The Sacramento Kings security team ejected rapper E-40 from a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors earlier this week, causing a big stir on the internet. The NBA team and the rapper have now released a joint statement addressing the situation. Here's what we know.

The Sacramento Kings are looking into allegations from the Bay Area hip-hop star that "racial bias" is what led to him being escorted from the arena during a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors. According to a witness, the rapper, Earl Stevens, was "standing and blocking the view of fans behind him and was given a warning after several complaints." The same person told The Associated Press that the rapper "refused to comply," which led to the security team ejecting him from his courtside seats. Another spectator claimed the rapper was never given any warnings by security about "excessive standing."

The rapper released his own statement saying a fellow audience member was "heckling" him and the situation was another example of "racial bias." He said, "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." He continued, "I was absolutely humiliated by the Kings' security team, and I'm calling on the franchise to investigate the appalling conduct that transpired." The joint statement said that 40 was not standing "excessively from his ticketed courtside seat" and labeled the situation as an "unfortunate misunderstanding."

E-40 and the Sacramento Kings release a joint statement, stating that an unfortunate misunderstanding led to his ejection from Golden 1 arena during Game 1 between the Warriors and Kings. It goes on to say that E-40 did not stand excessively from his seat. Full statement below: pic.twitter.com/tZXFAK4yzC

— jordan (@jrosethereturn) April 19, 2023

Being such a big Warriors fan, the rapper has developed some pretty personal relationships with some of the players. The team's guard, Klay Thompson, later released a statement saying, "I love 40. He's been our biggest supporter for years. I hope they right that ship because he deserves to be there by our bench. In my time knowing him, he's always been respectful. He's always been considerate of those around him. Very weird to see, and I hope it's resolved." And yes, it was! 40 was back supporting his team courtside just a few days later.