Let's admit it: the MTV Video Music Awards often have more to do with the outrageous moments that occur during the telecast than actual music. So it's easy to forget that the awards show also typically produces some stellar performances from artists, like Sunday's appearances by top-selling musicians including Drake, Paramore, Eminem and Taylor Swift.

"You have to be very balanced to perform at the VMAs. This stage is not any regular stage," B.o.b told us outside on the white carpet before heading into the Nokia Theatre to perform his hit single "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams. "It's like an environment, it's like a real interactive stage. It's got like, couture to it, so you have to be very balanced and a well-seasoned performer."

Travie McCoy, meanwhile, was trying to be calm about performing his song "Billionaire," which will be sung by the cast of "Glee" on the first episode of the hit show's new season. "I'm always relaxed, you know. This stuff is fun," he said, showing off some grillz on his bottom teeth. "I get a little nervous right before things go down. But other than that, I'm cool. Chillin'."

Deadmau5, who was the house artist spinning popular tracks throughout the telecast, also appeared laid back -- though of course we couldn't really tell, since he was wearing his trademark mouse head (of which he said he owns about six).

"This particular project gave me enough freedom and stuff where they were just like, 'Well, we want your interpretation,' " he said. "So we're not gonna send it back and forth a million times...it didn't happen like that at all. So it was really good, for a change."

For more video interviews with Bruno Mars, Robyn and Sean Kingston, go beyond the jump.

Sure, he may be tweeting about the addictive nature of iPhone applications but Gym Class Heroes’ front man Travis McCoy isn’t ignorant to the societal problems that exist beyond the touch screen. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter and MTV Staying Alive special ambassador recently globe-trotted to South Africa, the Philippines and India to raise awareness about youth-driven HIV- and AIDS-prevention projects, and he’s returned with a new sense of appreciation for life’s luxuries.

“I feel I am blessed beyond words,” McCoy said in a phone interview last month. “I have the basic human rights that everyone should have access to … running water, a sewer system that works.  It’s crazy the things we take for granted. “

IPhones included.

So when he was approached with the idea of traveling the world to meet with three grantees of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation Awards, he thought, "Hell yeah." 

“When I was younger, I had someone close to me die of AIDS,” McCoy said. “So I definitely feel a connection with the foundation. It hits close to my heart.”