Stray Kids Make ‘American Music Awards’ Debut With ‘NSync-Inspired Boy Band Tribute

Stray Kids picked up the boy band torch at the American Music Awards 50th anniversary special on Sunday night. The eight-piece group took the AMAs stage for the first time for an ‘NSync-inspired boy band tribute that borrowed music and choreography from the veteran group’s No Strings Attached album cycle.

Stray Kids opened their performance with five of its members on strings, emulating the puppetry from ‘NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye” music video while the classic record played throughout the venue. The remaining three members were positioned at different points across the stage for their pseudo-breakdancing spotlights.

“Bye Bye Bye” was a launching pad for Stray Kids who transitioned from the record straight into their recent single “Chk Chk Boom.” The group elevated the second half of their performance with a crew of around 20 dancers, packing the stage with high energy to match the upbeat record. “Chk Chk Boom” appears on Ate, the ninth Korean-language EP from Stray Kids. The eight-track project was released in July.

“Performing on the AMAs for the first time and doing a collaboration with ‘NSync was very memorable,” Stray Kids told Billboard backstage at the event. “It was very special.” The band also spoke about their experience working as songwriters and producers of their own music. “We’re the ones performing on stage, we’re the ones singing the lyrics. Might as well make it more genuine by making what we want to express and making what we want to perform,” they said.

No awards were presented at the AMAs anniversary event, but the show featured additional performances from Green Day, Mariah Carey, Raye, Jennifer Hudson, Nile Rodgers, Brad Paisley, Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, and more. 

From Rolling Stone US.