Jay-Z MIA as Beyoncé Delivers Defiant Hometown Performance

HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 25: Beyoncé performs during the halftime show for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Alex Slitz / Getty Images

Beyoncé sent football and music fans into a frenzy Wednesday night with a performance that lasted around nine minutes during Netflix’s live broadcast of the Houston Texas v. Baltimore Ravens game. One notable absentee was her husband Jay-Z.

Clad all in white, her blond mane blowing in the wind, Beyoncé justified her standing as the greatest pop star of the 21st century with a performance of a medley of songs from her most recent album, Cowboy Carter.

The game was taking place in her hometown of Houston, making the performance a victory lap of sorts for the singer as she celebrated her southern roots in front of thousands watching at home and in Houston’s NRG Stadium.

Complementing the “roots” theme was her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy, who could be seen dancing behind her mother during the performance, as she did during Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour. However, Jay-Z’s absence from the broadcast was the elephant in the stadium.

Beyoncé performs. / Alex Slitz / Getty Images
Beyoncé performs. / Alex Slitz / Getty Images

Beyoncé fans have grown accustomed to seeing the rapper watching from the sidelines during big performances. And given that Roc Nation re-upped its deal in October to handle the NFL’s music entertainment, spotting Jay-Z would be expected.

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Yet as Jay-Z fights a lawsuit alleging he raped a 13-year-old girl—which he vigorously denies—the mogul stayed out of sight.

When news of the lawsuit went public, the rapper wasted no time hitting back against the claims in a flaming statement.

“You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all ‘celebrities’ are the same,” he wrote. “I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children.”

Amid the allegations, Jay-Z also distanced himself from his frequent business partner Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was also accused in the lawsuit.

“Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs’ case or Mr. Combs,” said Jay-Z’s lawyer, reported CNN. “They knew each other professionally for a number of years. Just like in all professions, people know each other.”

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Jay-Z decision to go missing in action from the Netflix broadcast might have been a bid to protect his family from association with the lawsuit—and it worked, according to social media.

#BeyoncéBowl started trending on X after her performance, and Beyoncé took advantage of the hype by announcing that she will reveal her next big project on Jan. 14, 2025.

“Rocnation doesn’t stop working EVER,” wrote one social media commentator, about Jay-Z’s company. “The only thing ever CRUMBLING might be a small division but the company remains.”

On the football front, the Baltimore Ravens bested the Houston Texans, but at least Beyoncé’s performance went off without a hitch.