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Backstreet Boys were formed in 1993. The group sang a combination of new jack balladry, hip-hop, R&B, and dance club pop that originally found its greatest success in Canada and Europe. Their 1996 self-titled debut album charted in the Top 10 in nearly every country on the continent; ironically, success in their native land did not follow until nearly two years later. The core of the Backstreet Boys is cousins Kevin Richardson and Brian Littrell, who are both from Lexington, Kentucky. The two began singing while they were children, performing in local church choirs, as well as festivals, where they sang doo-wop and new jack R&B in the style of Boyz II Men. Two of the other remaining members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando, Florida who met each other and found New Yorker and fifth Backstreeter Nick Carter through auditions for local commericials, theatre, and television.

At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize together. In no time, they were singing as a trio. Shortly after the trio had formed, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World; at night, he concentrated on becoming a professional musician. Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter, and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after a popular Orlando hangout; Littrell was invited to join to make the band a quintet.

Through a friend, record producer Louis J. Pearlman, the band secured management from Donna and Johnny Wright, who put the group out on the road. Eventually, Jive Records became interested in the band, signing the group in 1994. Jive/Zomba set the Backstreet Boys up with producers Veit Renn and Tim Allen and they labored over the album with the band for several months. The group's debut album was released throughout Europe in late 1995.