Cashad Johnson wins with a crazy slam over E-40
E-40 helps Miami Heat became an unexpected moment during NBA All-Star Game the weekend. But Keshad Johnson showed why before capturing the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest crown — with an electric one-handed slam in Inglewood.
The famous Bay Area hip-hop legend accompanied the contestant onto the field. E-40 later became a prop for Johnson’s sweet slam that ignited the Intuit Dome crowd.
Without dribbling, Johnson sprinted toward E-40’s back…and cleared that hurdle:
Keshad Johnson CLEARS E-40 with ease for his first dunk 😤
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026
The lights flickered and the fans went wild for Johnson’s throw. And that slam dunk propelled Johnson to the slam dunk title in ’26.
KESHAD JOHNSON IS YOUR ENTERTAINMENT CHAMPION 2026 🏆 pic.twitter.com/l31lfSi79p
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 15, 2026
But fans also lost their minds to see the rapper born Earl Stevens on the floor. However, both share a significant connection.
Heat’s Keshad Johnson’s E-40 Ties Revealed
Novak wins Erik Spoelstra and Heat fans down in South Beach. But Johnson’s appearance was considered a homecoming in California.
He shares a significant Bay Area connection with Stevens — as he hails from Oakland, California. Johnson thrived at San Leandro High School before starring at San Diego State and Arizona.
Stevens rose to fame in nearby Vallejo, north of “Town”. He became an instrumental figure in the Bay Area rap scene in 1986 at a time when hip-hop was watching New York and Los Angeles come to the fore.
Stevens is now 40 years into his illustrious career as an artist — including spearheading the infamous “Hiphi” movement that dominated hip-hop airwaves in the mid-2000s.
The now 58-year-old still doesn’t share a previous connection with the Heat. NBA fans know him as “Front Row 40” during Golden State Warriors games, which he claims is his favorite team in the league. He also hung out with Warriors stars Steph Curry, Draymond Green plus posed in front of the Warriors championship earlier.
Johnson and Stevens, however, catapulted Oakland to the top of Saturday’s festivities. And on the same day, another “City” legend in Damian Lillard won his third three-point contest.
2026-02-15 00:58:00
