The MTV Video Music Awards were a major spectacle as always, with flashy performances, often bizarre outfits and an abundance of bleeped-out chatter. The backstage scene was about as wild as you'd expect, but without the pyro and, thankfully, no bleeping at all whatsoever.

"This is fucking awkward, what the fuck am I doing," said Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator, who won a Moonman for Best New Artist. The rapper was clearly in a good mood, or at least good enough that he was willing to offer some relatively kind words for Bruno Mars, with whom he has been feuding with for months. "He put on a good performance, but I still hate that dude's fucking music."

Nicki Minaj won Best Hip-Hop Video for her "Super Bass" clip last night, but she was more interested in talking about her next album backstage. "[It's] going to have a lot of Roman on it," she told Rolling Stone. "If you're not familiar with Roman you will be. He's a boy who lives inside me, he's a lunatic and he's gay. I have a lot of surprises I don't want to give away, but I just know everyone will be more than satisfied with the new album."

Katy Perry took home the night's biggest award, Video of the Year, for her inspirational anthem "Firework." Though she's been up for the award in the past, she says she's glad to win for that particular song. "I felt I was in the right place cause we all know 'California Gurls' is not gonna change the world, but 'Firework' is a movement," she said. Perry was also beaming with pride for her husband Russell Brand, who delivered a heartfelt speech honoring the late Amy Winehouse. "I think it was right on. I think he was giving hope to anybody who needed hope. That's why I married him, he's smart and I learn so much."

"I don’t remember watching the VMAs that much when I was a kid," confessed Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney. "Last time I remember watching the VMAs I guess I watched it last year when we were nominated. They didn’t announce our award on the air. Before that I watched when the Hives played I think in 2002."

Fourteen-year-old viral video pop star Rebecca Black made her debut appearance at this year's VMAs and was feeling overwhelmed by the experience. "It's insane. I swear I’ve gone insane a couple of times from it," she told Rolling Stone. "Now I’m kind of numb at that sort of feeling of 'I can’t even believe I’m here.' To see them in real life it makes such a big impact on you. I saw Selena Gomez already, which was pretty cool. And seeing Gaga and Adele will be insane."

Reporting by Steve Baltin

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