Rap star E40, a longtime Warriors fan who was kicked out of Saturday’s playoff game between Golden State and Sacramento, says racial prejudice played a role in the incident.
League sources told The Athletic that E-40 was standing excessively throughout the game, obscuring spectators’ view. One of the women was repeatedly yelling at E-40 to sit down, which led to a verbal exchange between the two. Kings security received multiple complaints, E-40 was given a warning Saturday night and Warriors security eventually escorted him from his seat to avoid further trouble. Here’s what you need to know:
Earl Stephens, better known as E-40, was ejected in the final quarter of the contest, and a video later surfaced on social media showing him and Kings fans arguing as he was knocked out by Golden 1 Center Security.
Several Warriors players and staff were involved during the ejection process, which led to confusion for the time being.
E-40, a Bay Area resident and noted Warriors fan, called on the Kings to “investigate the appalling behavior that occurred” in the events leading up to his firing.
what are they saying
In his statement, E-40 said he was “disrespectfully harassed over the course” of the entire game.
“During the fourth quarter, I finally turned around and spoke to a reviewer in a firm but polite manner. However, shortly thereafter, Kings security approached me, assumed I had instigated the confrontation and proceeded to throw me out of the ring.”
Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that – despite my existence and success as a musician and entrepreneur – racial prejudice still prevails.
