Just off the release of their album “This Is Us” in 2009, the boys embarked on a tour supporting the album, and then joined forces with New Kids on the Block for NKOTBSB. This led them back to playing arenas, something they had not done in a while.
After NKOTBSB? They couldn’t be stopped.
After asking fans on Twitter what their top moments of the decade were, we’ve compiled a list of what we (along with their input) think were the top 10 moments for the Backstreet Boys in the last decade.
10. Cruises
Backstreet Boys began holding cruises in 2010 and never looked back. Their first cruise was a half charter, meaning only half the boat was filled with Backstreet Boys fans – the other half with normal cruisers. Can you imagine their thoughts?
Since then, they have held cruises in 2011, 2013 (20th anniversary cruise), 2014, 2016 (Europe), and 2018 (25th anniversary cruise). With legendary theme nights such as “Millennium” night on the 2018 cruise, to ABC Night (2014) and Spynkter Night (2011), the boys never fail to surprise fans, waiting to see how they are going to dress up and just what they are going to do.
WOF, #1 album with DNA, Kevin coming back, Vegas residency, millennium night on 2018 cruise
— Dawn (@iidawnii) December 22, 2019
9. Expanding Backstreet family
When the new decade began, we only had three little Backstreet Boys – Baylee, Mason, and James. Since then, AJ and Nick have finally gotten married and started their own families. Now we have Max (Kevin), Holden (Howie), Ava and Lyric (AJ), and Odin and Saoirse (Nick). Nick is the only one out of the boys to have both a girl and a boy.
https://twitter.com/camillani/status/1208587886242729984
8. Inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Two days after the Backstreet Boys’ 20th anniversary, they were inducted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Max Martin, the writer of many of their hits including “I Want It That Way,” was on hand to help induct them. Kevin got emotional, which he always does, and Nick proclaimed that the group was going nowhere.
“Backstreet is back … and we aren’t going anywhere.”
— Nick Carter
Kevin coming back, documentary, star on walk of fame, Vegas residency, no. 1 album, Grammy nomination.
— April (@aprilrenae) December 22, 2019
7. “In A World Like This” album and tour
In 2013, the Backstreet Boys released their first album that was not on the Jive label and their first with Kevin Richardson since 2005’s “Never Gone.” The album embarked them on a nearly sold-out two-year tour that brought back some of their oldest hits and even some old choreography. It brought the boys back to working with Max Martin again on the title track.
6. “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of” documentary
In January 2015, the Backstreet Boys released their documentary, “Show ‘Em What You’re Made Of.” It was a look at the band looking at their past and thinking about their future. It documented the recording process for “In A World Like This,” Kevin’s return to the group, spending a few weeks living together in London to record, and preparation for the upcoming tour.
It also showed the guys heading to their former homes, making some of them relive things that they would rather not think about.
Kevin coming back obvs lol, Nick getting married, the documentary, the WOF ceremony
— ????? ?? (@AceOMalley89) December 22, 2019
5. 2019 Grammy Nomination
The Backstreet Boys recieved their first Grammy nomination in 17 years with the first single from “DNA,” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” They had not been nominated for a Grammy since 2002 when “Shape of My Heart” was nominated for the same award. The nomination was a triumph for the group, but didn’t win due to the blockbuster that was Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s hit “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born.”
https://twitter.com/SomebodyToDeacy/status/1208587127577104386
4. The Vegas Residency
Rumors began circulating in 2015 and 2016 that the Backstreet Boys were considering a Las Vegas residency, like Britney Spears. When the dates for their show at Planet Hollywood went on sale, they became the fastest-selling residency in Vegas history. Beginning on March 1, 2017, the residency continued until April 2019, continuously selling out shows and winning year-end awards throughout the Vegas entertainment industry.
@kevinrichardson and #BSBVegas
— Allison Chickering (@operablondie) December 22, 2019
3. DNA World Tour success
Tickets for the Backstreet Boys’ first arena tour in nearly 20 years went on sale in the Fall of 2018 and some shows sold out immediately. In fact, the majority of the shows on the tour became sold out as the tour date came closer.
The tour was a mix of the setlist from their Las Vegas residency, mixed in with some songs from the new album, and some songs that they had not performed in 20 years, such as “Don’t Wanna Lose You Now” from the “Millennium” album. Brian’s son Baylee, an upcoming country singer, opened the tour.
I think the return of Kevin and the Walk of Fame. To round off the decade with their biggest tour in 18 years DNA. I’m sure their biggest moment was meeting me …. just kidding ??
— Steph7273 (@steph7273) December 22, 2019
2. Kevin Richardson returns
Rumors began circulating in the fall of 2011 that Kevin Richardson, who had left the group in 2006, was rejoining. It became more apparent with live videos he would do, talking with fans online, that the rumors could be true, especially when he joined the 2011 cruise in the Bahamas for a beach party, a surprise appearance at Group B’s concert, and dressing up for the Prom Night theme on the cruise.
It was officially announced in April 2012 during a live webcast of the NKOTBSB show from London that he was rejoining the group.
“The Dark Years” were officially over.
https://twitter.com/AndieYammine/status/1208601986511167489
❤️ @kevinrichardson coming back! pic.twitter.com/dxWVfB1Kbo
— ☮Alexcar☮ (@alexcar_manzo) December 22, 2019
1. “DNA” debuts at Number One
The most significant thing that happened to the Backstreet Boys in the last decade was having a number one album for the first time since “Black & Blue” (19 yuears) DNA debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 234,000 album-equivalent units, of which 227,000 were pure album sales. The album’s debut at number one made it their eighth-straight consecutive top-ten album debut.
The boys’ worked with The Stereotypes (Bruno Mars), along with Ryan Tedder, Andy Grammar and was their first release on their new label, RCA.
“We were able to bring all of our influences and styles into one coherent piece of work. These songs are a great representation of who we are as individuals and who we are as a group. It’s our DNA. We’re really proud of that.”
–– Kevin Richardson
https://twitter.com/Fallynstiltskin/status/1208601190675734528
Among other moments that fans said should be in the Top 10 of the 2010s were the Backstreet Boys’ tour/album with NKOTB – NKOTBSB, along with various TV/Awards show appearances and performances.
