News – 21 mins ago

Earl Tywone Stevens Sr., known as the rapper E-40, yells at arena security personnel before being escorted from courtside seating during Game One of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on April 15, 2023 in Sacramento, California (phot by Loren Elliott/Getty Images).

E-40 nearly came to blows with security guards during the NBA Playoffs on Saturday night (April 15). While attending the Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors game, the rapper, legal name Earl Stevens, allegedly faced a group of white hecklers when a verbal altercation erupted.

In response to the near-melee, Stevens was removed from the arena, to which he published a lengthy statement about the incident.

On Saturday night, I was subjected to disrespectful heckling over the course of the Warriors-King game in Sacramento,” the Bay Area rapper wrote. “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.”

He continued, “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.”

E-40 issues statement after being ejected from Kings VS. Warriors game pic.twitter.com/8JWY0CwLqm

— No Jumper (@nojumper) April 16, 2023

A number of NBA players, representatives, and fans have spoken out in support of Stevens, including retired MVP Jalen Rose.

Thank you @JalenRose 🙏🏿 https://t.co/vvYeoMKIZG

— E40 Mogul Entrepreneur (@E40) April 16, 2023

Stevens is currently a member of the supergroup Mount Westmore, with Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Too $hort. The group released their debut project, Snoop Cube 40 $hort, in December.