Backstreet Boys

The Backstreet Boys are a world-famous American vocal group. They are categorized as a "boy band," which is a musical group consisting of young male singers. The group consists of five members: Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and cousins Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson. They are celebrated for their ability to harmonize, which means their individual voices blend together to create a complex and rich sound.

This skill has helped them become one of the best-selling music artists in history. They have sold over 130 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boy band of all time.

The group's formation began in Orlando, Florida, in 1993. A producer named Lou Pearlman sought to create a group with a specific look and sound. He held open casting calls at his blimp hangar in Kissimmee, Florida, between late 1992 and March 1993. Hundreds of performers auditioned during this time. Ultimately, Carter, Dorough, and Richardson were selected. Brian Littrell joined the group formally on April 20, 1993, after flying from Kentucky. This date became the group's official anniversary. The name "Backstreet Boys" was inspired by the Backstreet Market, an outdoor flea market in Orlando that was a popular hangout for teenagers.

To build their career, the group followed a rigorous path of performance and recording. In the summer of 1993, they performed at various venues, including shopping malls and restaurants. They also toured schools across the United States to build a fan base. In December 1994, the group traveled to Sweden to record with producers Max Martin and Denniz PoP. This collaboration resulted in their first single, "We've Got It Goin' On." While it was only a minor success in the U.S., it became a top five hit in several European countries like Germany and France. This success shifted their primary promotional focus toward Europe.

The group experienced massive global success throughout the late 1990s. Their debut international album, extit{Backstreet Boys}, and their second album, extit{Backstreet's Back}, sold more than 28 million copies worldwide. In 1999, they reached superstardom with their third studio album, extit{Millennium}. This album was anchored by the hit "I Want It That Way," which topped charts in over 25 countries. extit{Millennium} became the best-selling album of 1999 in the United States, selling over 9.4 million copies. It also holds the record for the most shipments in a single year, with 11 million shipments.

Despite their success, the group has navigated significant personal and professional challenges. In 1998, Brian Littrell discovered he had a congenital hole in his heart. He underwent open-heart surgery on May 8, 1998, which required the group to postpone their tour. The members also engaged in a legal battle against Lou Pearlman. They claimed that Pearlman and his company had not been truthful regarding their earnings. From 1993 to 1997, the group received only $300,000 in revenue, while Pearlman's company took approximately $10 million. These legal disputes eventually resulted in several settlements.

The group's lineup has also seen changes over the decades. After the extit{Never Gone} Tour ended in 2006, Kevin Richardson left the group to pursue other interests. The Backstreet Boys continued as a quartet, releasing the albums extit{Unbreakable} and extit{This Is Us}. Richardson rejoined the group in 2012.

In 2013, the group celebrated their 20th anniversary and released their first independent album, extit{In a World Like This}. They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 22, 2013.

Today, the Backstreet Boys continue to maintain a strong presence in the music industry. In 2019, their album extit{DNA} debuted at number one, marking their first chart-topping album in nineteen years. They also became the first boy band to top the U.S. album charts in three decades. The group has performed various residencies in Las Vegas, including a two-year stay titled extit{Larger Than Life}. In July 2025, they launched a second residency at the Sphere called extit{Into the Millennium}.

Their enduring popularity is reflected in their many achievements, such as being the first group since Led Zeppelin to have their first ten albums reach the top 10 on the Billboard 200.