Chris Brown Delivers High-Flying VMA Performance: Video

Chris Brown took flight at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance that time-traveled through the '90s and featured the R&B star somersaulting over the dazzled audience.

Breezy kicked off his high-flying act with a chopped-up version of his hit "Yeah 3x," strutting the VMA runway in an all-white suit and joining his well-dressed backup dancers in some inspired choreography. Soon, the music stopped, and the backing track changed to the Wu-Tang Clan hit "Protect Ya Neck," followed by Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Jay-Z and Kanye West Perform 'Otis' on 2011 MTV VMAs: Watch

Brown gamely handled the tonal changes before launching into his own "F.A.M.E." song, "Beautiful People," and after some more nimble dance moves, he took flight from a pair of wires. When he was done, Breezy looked out confidently into the audience, which was giving him a standing ovation.

Beyonce Announces Pregnancy on VMA Red Carpet

Brown was nominated for Best Collaboration for his video to "Look At Me Now," which features Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes, but the singer lost to Katy Perry and Kanye West's "E.T." His performance followed spectacular showcases by Lady Gaga, Pitbull and Adele, among others.