Beyoncé sees bump in album, single sales following baby reveal

Beyoncé's revelation -- both on the red carpet and during her performance -- that she and her husband, Jay-Z, are expecting their first child undoubtedly stole the show at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday.

The big warm-and-fuzzy moment also has provided the diva with a major bump, pun intended, on record sales.

After telling the audience that she wanted them "to feel the love that's growing inside," she dived into "Love on Top,” a cut from her album “4.”

The performance boosted the nonsingle into the iTunes top 5, while her actual single, “Best Thing I Never Had,” is currently languishing at No. 23. The album has also made its way back into the top 10 on iTunes, coincidentally landing at the No. 4 spot.

Despite being herald by critics, the disc has struggled a bit commercially.

The album's first two singles, “Best Thing I Never Had” and “Run the World (Girls),” have failed to take off like “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” “Irreplaceable,” “Crazy in Love” and other huge hits.

The album has so far logged fewer than 700,000 units, according to Nielsen Soundscan, since its June release -- a sluggish number when compared to the record-breaking tallies that Adele and Lady Gaga have enjoyed with their recent releases.

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-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

twitter.com/gerrickkennedy

Photo: Beyoncé shows her baby bump after performing "Love on Top" at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

MTV VMAs: Katy Perry doesn't feel like she's 'peaked just yet' [Video]

It's clear Katy Perry doesn't take herself too seriously: This is, after all, a woman who had whipped cream shooting out of her bra in the music video for "California Gurls."

But Perry, who took home three Moonmen at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, told reporters backstage that winning the video of the year prize for "Firework" held somewhat of a deeper meaning.

"I felt like I was in the right place tonight, especially with that award," the pop star said. "Because we all know 'California Girls' — it's a great song, but it's not gonna change the world or anything like that. But 'Firework,' to me, it feels like it's a movement. You can always sing [about] clubs and bubs and bitches and ho's, but I think it takes a little bit more to sing songs like 'Firework.' "

Asked what was next for her after sweeping the telecast, Perry said she would continue to focus her efforts on her ongoing concert tour.

"It's been really grueling, and I'm just trying to take that one day at a time and get through that and make sure I give the best damn performance every single time," she said. "But yeah, I don't want to feel like I've peaked just yet. I've got way too many outfits to go through."

MTV VMAs: Kevin Hart jokes he was bullied to host sans pay [Video]

Even though there was no official host at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night, it sometimes seemed like comedian Kevin Hart was playing the role of emcee.

Hart, best known perhaps for his stand-up specials, introduced the show and showed up in a number of vignettes throughout the rest of the telecast.

Backstage, the 30-year-old joked that the network had "basically bullied [him] into semi-hosting without paying me."

"Which is cool," he deadpanned. "It's probably the most racist thing I've ever seen in my life."

After the joking ceased, Hart explained that MTV had originally asked him to present the best new artist award and "set the tone" for the show, which he felt ultimately "came across very well."

As for other highlights of the gig? He got to get up close and personal with Beyonce's baby bump.

"It was in my face. I almost touched it. I didn't want to get tackled by security, so I didn't, but I definitely could have touched it," he kidded. "And then she posed. It hurt me a little bit, because I thought there was a future. But obviously not. She and Jay-Z are serious."

MTV VMAs: Katy Perry wins big, Lil Wayne gets bleeped

Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator had a breakout night at the MTV Video Music Awards, but it was Katy Perry who took home video of the year for "Firework." It was Perry's second award of the night, as she earlier won best collaboration with Kanye West for her "E.T." 

Accepting her award for the morale-boosting "Firework," Perry said she feels like she's "doing something right" each time she performs the song. The cut has a similar, we're-all-beautiful theme as Lady Gaga's "Born This Way," which had earlier won for best female video.

PHOTOS: MTV Video Music Awards 2011 | Arrivals 

As for Gaga, she didn't break character all night, and she accepted the trophy as male alter-ego "Jo Calderone." The chain-smoking Calderone showed off a sillier side of Gaga's personality, yet still fit into the everyone-is-normal message that "Born This Way" champions. "Gay, straight, bi, trans-gendered -- you were born this way," Gaga as Calderone said to close her speech.

MTV VMAs: Russell Brand pays tribute to Amy Winehouse

MTV had Russell Brand introduce the Bruno Mars-anchored tribute to Amy Winehouse, and with little time Brand gave a rather passionate, honest speech. It echoed his "For Amy" eulogy that he posted online, and he recognized Winehouse as "not just another person milling about waiting to be famous."

Brand noted Winehouse's unique voice as one that could stop a person in his tracks, and retold the tale of being taken by surprise by Winehouse as he was on his way to see Paul Weller. He name-checked Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and took the time to stress that Winehouse wasn't addled by addiction but infected with a disease. "A lot of people just get the disease," Brand said, "not the talent." 

Brand then introduced Tony Bennett, who gave a short preview of his upcoming "Duets II," which features Winehouse and Bennett tackling jazz/soul classic "Body and Soul." It felt a little promotional, but the teaser showed Winehouse looking as healthy as she ever had, so it ultimately struck a bittersweet tone.

If there was a major flaw in MTV's tribute to Winehouse, it was booking Mars to sing "Valerie," a Zutons song that Winehouse covered with Mark Ronson. Mars is a suitable pop chameleon, and Winehouse was anything but. He's a featherweight star, and though Mars isn't going to embarrass anyone's legacy, the performance never hinted at the outsize personality of the late star.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Bruno Mars

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 Photo: Russell Brand. Credit: Matt Sayles/Associated Press

MTV VMAs: Tyler, the Creator best new artist; Beyonce pregnant

Los Angeles was well-represented in the MTV Video Music Awards field for best new artist, with Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator facing off against electronic-pop act Foster the People. Tyler, however, bested the breakout pop act, as well as Kreayshawn, of "Gucci Gucci" fame, Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean.

Tyler gave an expletive-riddled acceptance speech, admitting he didn't prepare one, and also confessed that he had dreamed of winning an MTV trophy since the age of 9. He ended the address with what seemed to be an inspirational statement to young fans, but it was largely bleeped by MTV so there isn't much to quote. 

The MTV award was for the single "Yonkers" from his solo effort "Goblin," released on indie XL Recordings. The win was something of a surprise for MTV, as it veered from the popularity-contest feel of the show, as "Goblin" has long disappeared from Billboard's top-200 albums chart. 

Earlier, Beyonce revealed that she was pregnant with a few knowing rubs of her belly, and gave a rousing performance of "Love on Top," a gleefully chipper single, while Orange County's rising Young the Giant was given a prime slot for its energetic alt-rock single "My Body." 

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Photo: Beyonce performs "Love on Top" at the VMAs. Credit: Matt Sayles / AP

MTV VMA Awards: New Artist

2011 MTV Video Music Awards New Artist winner: Tyler, the Creator (of Odd Future)

Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

MTV VMA Awards: Pop Video

2011 MTV Video Music Awards Pop Video winner: Britney Spears' "Till the World Ends"

Credit: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

MTV VMA Awards: Rock Video

2011 MTV Video Music Awards rock video winner: Foo Fighters' "Walk"

Credit: Matt Sayles/Associated Press

MTV VMAs: Odd Future's nerves and Adele's elegance

If the MTV Video Music Awards wanted to inject some controversy into the telecast, tapping locals Odd Future would seem to be a surefire way to do it. But Odd Future didn't get the chance to perform, unless one counts a tepid comedy bit in which Odd Future engaged in a dance-off with Will Ferrell and Jack Black (the "future" Beastie Boys).

MTV producers avoided Odd Future's violence-happy lyrics and instead let the group introduce the award for best hip-hop video, with Tyler, the Creator admitting he was overcome with nerves. At least the confession of butterflies was a moment of spontaneity, as Pitbull and Ne-Yo soon ran down their anonymous club-hit "Tonight." In terms of energy, the performance boasted some lasers, but even Ne-Yo seemed bored. Can't blame him, as there's little to say about this by-the-numbers dance anthem.

Things got more serious and reserved when Adele performed her bare "Someone Like You," opting to forgo hit "Rolling in the Deep." It was a fine choice, as few can tackle a ballad like Adele. Her voice is strong and direct, and tackles grief by moving with the melody rather than trying to pummel it. It was a less-is-more performance, a tactic award-show producers rarely indulge in, but Adele needs few adornments to impress.

Get More: 2011 VMA, Music, Adele

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Photo: Adele performs "Someone Like You" on the VMAs. Credit: Matt Sayles/AP