Jay-Z Gives Explanation for Sitting br During National Anthem Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, remained seated during the national anthem performed by Demi Lovato during Super Bowl LIV br in Miami Gardens on Sunday. There was a lot of criticism and praise br for the couple following the incident. When Jay-Z was asked during a Q&A session br at Columbia University whether he was br trying to make a political statement, the rapper responded, br "It actually wasn't. Sorry.