Jay Z Seated at Superbowl: All Business No Politics

Despite the spectacular performances during the 54th Superbowl all eyes were on power couple The Carters, especially during the singing of the national anthem. Jay-Z and the Beyonce caused a social media uproar by remaining seated during the National anthem. It was deemed political by some, thanks in part to his initial support of Colin Kaepernick while others were left confused due to recent partnership with the NFL and his comment "I think we're past kneeling now." To clear up the confusion, when asked if his family remaining seated was an act of protest the artist simply replied, "It wasn't. Sorry."

To his credit the artist did expand, stating that once the show began he and his wife transitioned into the professional artists that they are. Due to his partnering with the NFL, aside from getting the NFL engaged with social activism, Jay-Z also provides the league with musical entertainment featuring many Roc Nation artists, such as Shakira. Once the show began Carter says he was preoccupied with making sure everything in the show, from sound to camera angles,  was going according to plan. "The whole time we're sitting there, we're talking about the performance...I didn't have to make a silent protest. If you look at the stage, the artists that we chose, Colombian Shakira, Puerto Rican J. Lo. We were making the biggest loudest protest of all," And while the choice of performers was a political statement in itself, there are reports that behind the scenes things weren't as smooth as they appeared.

Apparently before the show began Jay Z, undoubtedly at the behest of his "partners", was said to have pressured J. Lo to change a part of her performance which referenced the ongoing border crisis and the imprisonment of children. Lopez, rightfully, stood her ground and demanded the set stay. However the situation was so infuriating, at the last minute Lopez dropped out of the opening performance leading Shakira to a rushed solo opening. With this news the cracks in Carter's partnership with the league, which we all knew existed, is becoming more and more visible. Notably, Colin Kaepernick's former team the 49s lost in a last minute upset after leading the game for four quarters, so perhaps cosmic justice has been served. If you missed the performance or just want to relive the glory click below.