JAY-Z: ‘Beyonce and I sitting during Super Bowl National Anthem wasn’t a silent protest’

Welcome to the This Week in Billboard News podcast, where Jordyn Rolling, Billboard News host, and Gary Trust, Billboard senior director of charts, dive into the week's biggest music news stories.This week, Jay-Z and Beyoncé responded to the reaction that they received for not standing during Demi Lovato's performance of the national anthem at the Super Bowl last Sunday (Feb.

Jay-Z and Beyoncé were in attendance at the Super Bowl on Sunday to watch Kansas City Chiefs defeat the San Francisco 49era and secure their first title in over 30 years. However, the married couple's appearance at the game did not pass without some criticism, chiefly that they did not stand when the national anthem was performed before the game.

Still mourning the devastating death of Kobe Bryant, Jay-Z reflected on some of his final conversations with the basketball superstar about the joy it brought him to watch his daughter, Gianna, play hoops. 

Many celebs are still sharing some of their own personal Kobe Bryant stories as they continue to remember him after his shocking passing. Jay-Z is the latest celebrity to share a memory of the NBA legend, who was also a good friend.

Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and their daughter Blue Ivy Carter made headlines for their choice not to stand during the National Anthem during the Super Bowl on Sunday. Some believed it was a silent political statement, especially given the NFL’s treatment of former player Colin Kaepernick for taking the knee during the National Anthem when he was in the league.

JAY-Z will never forget the last conversation he had with Kobe Bryant.

Jay-Z is opening up about the final conversation he had with Kobe Bryant just weeks before the NBA star's untimely death.

Jay-Z, 50, and Kobe Bryant had a special relationship and the rapper talked about losing his friend for the first time while speaking at Columbia University in New York City on Feb. 5.

Jay-Z is remembering his friend Kobe Bryant.

A friend for life. Jay-Z revealed that Kobe Bryant attended his and Beyoncé’s New Year’s Eve party just three weeks before the NBA legend died in a helicopter crash.

JAY-Z has opened up about the final conversation he had with his friend Kobe Bryant.

Jay-Z is setting the record straight after he and wifeBeyoncéwerespotted sitting downduringDemi Lovato​'s performance of the national anthem at Sunday’s Super Bowl. The musical icons drew no small amount of ire online after the fan-shot video, first published by TMZ, showed the two remaining in their seats as Lovato belted out the “Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the climactic showdownbetween the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.

JAY-Z and Beyoncé’s decision to sit during Demi Lovato’s performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” at Super Bowl LIV caused waves in conservative media, but apparently it wasn’t meant as an act of protest. TMZ reports that Jay addressed the incident during an event at Columbia University on Tuesday. According to the gossip outlet, Jay said he was focused on the audio and other technical aspects because Roc Nation serves as the producer of all performance elements of the show.

Jay-Z set the record straight after being accused of trying to make a political statement when he and Beyoncé stayed seated during the national anthem at Super Bowl LIV on Sunday, February 2.

Jay-Z is setting the record straight after he and wife Beyoncé were spotted sitting down during Demi Lovato​'s performance of the national anthem at Sunday’s Super Bowl. The musical icons drew no small amount of ire online after the fan-shot video, first published by TMZ, showed

JAY-Z has claimed he and his wife Beyonce weren’t making a “silent protest” by choosing to remain seated during the U.S. National Anthem at the Super Bowl.

Jay-Z is setting the record straight after he and Beyoncé stirred controversy for remaining seated during the 2020 Super Bowl's national anthem presentation.