Backstreet Boys leave label

The Backstreet Boys have parted ways with their longtime record label after 16 years on the roster.

The boy band signed to Jive Records in 1994 and released seven albums through the label over the years.

They have now announced their departure from Jive in a post on their official website, titled "Freedom", which dismisses rumours they were dumped from the books because of falling album sales.

The post reads, "So the news is out! The Backstreet Boys are no longer signed to long time record label Jive Records. The amicable split is very exciting for the group. "

Bandmember Brian Littrell adds, "This is the best thing, at the best time that could have ever happened for us. We are confident in the future of our band, and are looking forward to the new things to come. 2011 is going to be a great year for us."

A word with Nick Carter as Backstreet Boys come to Ruth Eckerd Hall May 31

Is this where we make the "Backstreet's back" quip?

Let's not. It's way overused, not to mention possibly inaccurate. Nick Carter says the Backstreet Boys never went away — even if you didn't notice. For 17 years the group has toiled to stay alive. They've sold more than 100 million albums. They've been golden boys and guilty pleasures. They lost a member and continued as a foursome. Their latest album, This Is Us, came out in 2009. The Backstreet Boys are back (fine) on a world tour, stopping at Ruth Eckerd Hall on Memorial Day.

Carter, the teen idol who grew up in Apollo Beach and Ruskin, is now 30. He has navigated addiction, screamy reality TV and industry scandal, but says he's in a good place. He called from home in Nashville to talk about the tour and his favorite Tampa memories (RIP, stadium Bennigan's). And if Justin Bieber loyalists don't appreciate his music, he's content to count their moms as fans.

Back Street Boys sets Tour Dates.

This June, the boys known as Backstreet will be hitting the road for a tour. The Backstreet Boys announced that starting June 1 in Orlando, Florida (obviously!), they will be kicking off their summer tour in support of last fall's very awesome release This Is Us.

Considering that they have many, many phenomenal songs to pick from in their excellent back catalog of tunes, MTV is officially declaring this a can't-miss event that absolutely must be seen!

Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean Reveals Engagement Details

On Friday, Backstreet Boys fans everywhere let out a collective sigh when another member, A.J. McLean, went off the market, proposing to girlfriend Rochelle Karidis. The boy-bander spoke to MTV News about the engagement and said he couldn't have picked a better girl to make his future Mrs. McLean.
While celebrating his birthday last weekend, McLean said he knew it was time to make Karidis an honest woman.

"I have had this on my mind for months now, and there was talks amongst me and some of the friends of mine, and actually, I kind if brought it up to [bandmate] Howie [Dorough] once before, as well as Nick [Carter], about possibly doing it on New Year's," he revealed. "I said, 'No, I'm going to wait a little bit longer.' Something clicked. We were having dinner at Nobu prior to it, and I was like, 'I'm just done. I'm done, and this is the one, and she's absolutely phenomenal.' "
He very publicly asked her to marry him at a gig on Friday, which also happened to fall on his 32nd birthday. He admitted that he didn't have a doubt that she would accept his proposal. "I [wasn't] nervous that she'd say no," he said. "I was more nervous that she wouldn't feel comfortable in front of a crowd."
McLean said proposing onstage was the way he always imagined he would pop the question. "That was something else that I always wanted to do," he said. "I kind of had this childhood fantasy of, once I do propose, it's just somehow got to be onstage. I just went up there and grabbed a mic."
Karadis and McLean have been dating for nearly a year, and the Backstreet Boy said he's found his match. "She is my true best friend," he said. "She is absolutely amazing. She's very talented ... supportive ... understanding. She's everything you can possibly want in someone, plus 10-gazllion more. That night, I looked at her, and I was like, 'I'm gonna do it tonight.' "
Now to the important stuff: the bling. "The ring is actually a one of a kind," McLean explained. "It is a square head with princess-cut diamonds surrounding and a one-carat diamond in the center and there's also about 20 or 25 princess-cut diamonds on the actual band. It's a gorgeous ring."
McLean isn't the only Backstreet Boy excited about the engagement. "Nick was extremely happy for me," he said. "Howie didn't know. I actually texted Howie [on my birthday] ... and he sent me one back all capitals, all exclamation points: 'Finally! Congratulations.' And I haven't heard from Brian yet, but I have heard through management, because Brian has been swamped with his family, that he sends his best."

BACKSTREET BOYS CAUSE FURORE OVER ROCK FESTIVAL

Pop group THE BACKSTREET BOYS have sparked outrage among heavy metal fans in India after it was announced they will follow IRON MAIDEN as a headliner for the upcoming Rock In India festival.The event marked the first ever rock festival in India when it kicked off in 2008, with Megadeth and MAChine Head playing top of the bill. Iron Maiden took the stage in 2009. But festival organisers have taken an abrupt turn from the heavy metal genre, booking The Backstreet Boys and Richard Marx for the 2010 line up. Local music critics have blasted organisers for the shift, but festival bosses are standing by their decision to book the ageing teen sensations. A statement on Rock In India's website reads, “There has been a long-standing request from many music fans to our website that they would like to see mainstream music and also classic rock... Rock In India is a 'music' festival and the headliners have already been announced. Rock In India does not mean the 'genre' rock only. Being a fan you have right to an opinion. Being a promoter no artist is big or small to us. All artists are respected equally and not looked down upon just because they are a pop artist! We respect their music!” The Rock in India festival will take place in Delhi on 20 February and in Bangalore on 22 February (10).

Backstreet Boys at Liverpool's Echo Arena

WHEN the opportunity arose to look cheesey 90s chart toppers the Backstreet Boys return on their tour I couldn’t resist.
Who cares that they’re the latest bleached popstrels to cash in on the recent fondness for nostalgia? I used to worship their dance moves.
Trouble is, I could only remember one song - despite owning the album Backstreet’s Back on cassette - so when they opened with that oh-so-catchy title track Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) - complete with ‘that’ dance move - I was worried.
“What will they do for the rest of the show?” I muttered to my friend, who shares my boy band pedigree.
“No fear,” she replied. “It will all come flooding back.”
And so it did. Worringly easily.
Hearthrob Nick Carter (minus the blond curtains - likely for the best) A.J, Howie and Brian whizzed through hits including As Long As You Love Me, All I Have To Give, We’ve Got It Going On and that hands-in-the-air favourite, I’ll Never Break Your Heart.
Oh no. Just mentioning those songs gives me an urge to sing.
And that’s why the Backstreet Boys - touring without original fifth member Kevin - were unashamedly superb at the ECHO Arena last night, playing to a near sell out crowd with just enough youngsters to give them serious hope for the future.

Debut 'Bigger' Music to Backstreet Boys

In a music video Backstreet Boys are going to Japan for their latest single called "Bigger". From the streets of Tokyo to a maid cafe,the band continue visiting the four members an ancient temple and karaoke bar along with a bunch of locals. "Bigger" is the second single taken from Backstreet Boys' seventh studio album "This Is Us". The track comes from production hands of Max Martin, the mastermind behind hits singles from the likes of Britney Spears and Pink. Backstreet Boys will return to Japan next year for several concerts as part of the album promotional effort. Before heading to the country, they have to complete a number of live shows across Europe. Fans can visit their official website to find more detailed info about their on going tour.