Rapper E-40 Blames ‘Racial Bias’ After Getting Kicked Out of Kings-Warriors Playoff Game

Rapper E-40 was ejected from Saturday’s NBA playoff game between the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings — and the rapper says “racial bias” was to blame.

The Bay Area hip-hop legend was seated courtside when a dispute broke out at the Golden 1 Center arena in Sacramento, California.

Videos posted on social media showed the longtime NBA fan in a heated discussion with security before he was escorted out of the building.

In a lengthy statement, E-40 said he was “subjected to disrespectful heckling” throughout the game. He reacted in an “assertive, but polite manner,” prompting security to intervene, he explained.

“Kings security approached me, assumed I instigated the encounter and proceeded to kick me out of the arena,” he said.

More footage of E-40 getting ejected from Game 1 of the Warriors/Kings series. pic.twitter.com/VehbC7ExoT

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“Unfortunately, it was yet another reminder that — despite my success and accolades as a musician and entrepreneur — racial bias remains prevalent,” the rapper’s statement continued. “Security saw a disagreement between a Black man and a White woman and immediately assumed that I was at fault.”

The rapper, who was born Earl Stevens, added that the experience was “jarring.”

“I’ve attended countless NBA games throughout my lifetime and have always prided myself in my professionalism, so this experience has been jarring,” 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.”

Sources told ESPN and Fox News that security believed E-40 was standing “excessively” and blocking the view of fans behind him. Security reportedly received complaints and warned E-40 to sit down, but the sources said the rapper refused to comply.

The Kings are now looking into what happened.

“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 is a platinum selling recording artist from Vallejo, California. He’s been featured on numerous hit songs and is best known for his 2006 single “Tell Me When To Go,” produced by Lil Jon.