(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Beyonc Knowles has declared "it feels so good to be back" during her first post-pregnancy performance.

The pop sensation returned to the stage in New Jersey last night after nine months and wowed fans with her powerful vocals and trim post-baby body.

The 30-year-old hasn't performed since giving birth to daughter Blue Ivy and was supported by husband Jay-Z, who watched his wife from the audience.

"I gotta say, it feels so good to be back home on stage," Beyonc told the crowd at Revel Resort & Casino in Atlantic City.

Strutting her stuff in a sexy tasselled costume custom-made by design house Ralph & Russo, the singer performed some of her biggest hits including Crazy in Love and If I Were a Boy.

The former Destiny's Child star also paid tribute to her late musical idol Whitney Houston by singing her classic anthem I Will Always Love You.

Proud husband Jay-Z took to Twitter after the show to tell the world how impressed he is with his spouse's star quality.

"I'm gonna say this and then I'm gonna end mine. BEYONCE is the best performer in the world. Period," he wrote on the social networking site. (C) Cover Media