GOSSIP: Beyonce Recorded her Vocals A Day Before The Inauguration[Confirmed]

Washington (CNN) - An inaugural official who asked not to be identified told CNN Wednesday that pop star Beyoncé lip-synced her performance on Inauguration Day.

"She did not sing live," the official told CNN. A pre-recording of the artist's rendition of the National Anthem was played instead. What was heard by spectators and viewers was the sound of that recording, according to the official.

The official said Beyoncé made the decision herself the night before Inauguration Day.

Beyoncé arrived so late Sunday night she did not have time to rehearse with the U.S. Marine Band, which was asked to accompany the pop star's performance, according to the inauguration official.

"Because she didn't have time to rehearse with the Marine Band, she decided to use her recording with the Marine Band," the official added. "It was all Beyoncé."

The official was somewhat puzzled by Beyoncé's decision, noting when she made the pre-recording, "she was spot on."

The taped performance should take nothing away from her skills as a live artist, the official said. "She's actually a very good live singer," the official added.

CNN has still not received comment from Beyoncé.

While there have been many celebs who have done this before many hold high standards for "King Bey". This can go both ways but in the end all I'm concerned about is seeing her Superbowl performance. Hopefully that is live....

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WHAT THEY WORE: Alicia Keys in Michael Kors & Katy Perry in Rodarte

Singer Alicia Keys performs during the Public Inaugural Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Barack Obama was sworn in for his second term earlier in the day. 

Alicia wore a gorgeous red Michael Kors Fall 2012 gown.

Her long-sleeve crystal-embellished gown dawned an open back and knotted waist was styled with silver jewels.

Alicia performs 'Girl On Fire'

Musicians John Mayer and Katy Perry were also spotted attending the presidential inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC. Barack Obama was re-elected for a second term as President of the United States.

The singer wore a Rodarte Fall 2012 orange-and-black woven coat with a shearling collar, which she wore with a rust-and-black sequined tulle collared dress from the same collection. 

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FASHION: 57th Presidential Inauguration: Michelle Obama in J. Crew & Jason Wu

Michelle Obama wore a Thom Browne coat for the Second Inaugural Speech, added J.Crew gloves and belt, and Reed Krakoff boots.

Later in the evening she slipped into this lovely number designed by Jason Wu

OFFICIAL SKETCH

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Beyonce Attends the Obama Inauguration in Emilio Pucci, Christian Dior & Lorraine Schwartz

At this point, Beyonce and Jay-Z are BFFs with Barack and Michelle Obama. And it only makes sense that one of the most powerful couples in showbiz is close to the most powerful couple in politics. 

That relationship was on display Monday when Knowles, clad in a stunning Emilio Pucci gown, had the honor of performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the president's ceremonial swearing-in. The new mom took the stage after giving the FLOTUS a quick kiss then had the audience cheering during her emotional rendition of the National Anthem.

Beyonce wore an Emilio Pucci Pre-Fall 2013 black velvet and chiffon beaded cut-out long-sleeved gown under a black fur Dior coat.

Lorraine Schwartz 80 carat emerald earrings and a 50 carat emerald ring provided a dazzling touched to her regal look.

Check out Bey perform the National Anthem here and watch out for her Superbowl performance in a few weeks!!

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VIDEO PREMIERE: Rick Ross - 'Pirates'

Rick Ross gets behind the camera and directs his new video for "Pirates" off 2012's God Forgives, I Don't album.

The Maybach Music Group rapper is seen off the coast of Miami in a cigarette boat with a bikini clad vixen. She also puts in work, unloading the boats illicit cargo.

 The song is produced by Keno and Got Koke. Ross recently revealed the title of his next album, which will be called Mastermind, no word on the official  release date. Check out the video below!

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HOT SHOTS: Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball II - TERRENCE J, LALA VASQUEZ, ELLE VARNER, TYSON BECKFORD, ANGELA SIMMONS, ROSARIO DAWSON & MORE

A ton of celebs are showing support this past weekend as we celebrate the Inauguration of our former and current president, Barack Obama as he took oath to office earlier today. Among his supporters John Legend feels that hip-hop played its part in helping Barack Obama become president, and he's proud at how the genre has matured over the years.

"I think hip-hop had a role in making sure we elected a black president in America because we made it so that black people were in people's homes ... through our music and through our culture," the R&B crooner said Sunday night at the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.

Legend was awarded the humanitarian award at Sunday's event, and it was one of many honors handed out at the Harman Center for Arts.

Hip-hop pioneers MC Lyte and Doug E. Fresh were both given lifetime achievement awards. Fresh even hit the stage, beat boxing while comedian-actor-singer Wayne Brady cooed Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" At one point, Brady even busted out his own rhymes.

Rapper Yo Yo earned a roaring cheer when she hit the stage to honor MC Lyte; Lil Mama also paid tribute to the "Ruffneck" rapper.

2 Chainz, who had a breakthrough year with his Grammy-nominated solo debut and multiple rap hits, earned the street soldier award for encouraging young voters as a spokesperson for the Hip-Hop Caucus' "Respect My Vote!" campaign.

"Doing my thing on the charts is one thing, but to be getting honored on another avenue, it just feels like a blessing," he said in an interview. "I'm keeping my head leveled and staying humble."

Actress Rosario Dawson won the vanguard award for her work as chairman of the Voto Latino organization.

"It's time to step out of the shadows. It's time to not just be talked about by other people, it's time to take the leadership ourselves and that first step of leadership is voting," Dawson said of the importance of the Latino vote.

Rappers Swizz Beatz and Meek Mill also earned honors at the event, attended by a few hundred hip-hop fans, including model Tyson Beckford, former NBA star Dikembe Mutumbo and Victor Cruz of the New York Giants. La La Anthony and Terrence J hosted the ball.

British singer Marsha Ambrosius also delivered a rousing performance, and playful jokes about Obama.

"I got a call from the president and he asked me to perform his favorite song," she said before singing the R&B jam "Hope She Cheats on You (With a Basketball Player)."

Then she sang "Butterflies," a song she co-wrote for Michael Jackson's 2001 "Invincible" album.

"This might have been his favorite," she said.

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Check out more photos from the event below!!

Victor Cruz

Michael Eric Dyson

Angela Simmons

Kenny Lattimore

Model Shanina Shaik and Tyson Bedford attend The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball II at Harman Center for the Arts on January 20, 2013 in Washington, DC.

Lil MaMa & MC Lyte backstage

Lance Gross

Actress Sonja Sohn attends The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball II at Harman Center for the Arts on January 20, 2013 in Washington, DC.

John Legend's fiance, Model Chrissy Teigen

Actor Charles Dutton

Rapper Jadakiss

Actress Denyce Lawton

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