98 Degrees
- Born:
- Varies by member:
- Justin Jeffre: February 25, 1973, Florence, Kentucky, USA
- Jeff Timmons: April 30, 1973, Canton, Ohio, USA
- Nick Lachey: November 9, 1973, Harlan, Kentucky, USA
- Drew Lachey: August 8, 1976, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Vocal Group, Pop Singers, Songwriters, Actors (Individual members)
Early Life and Formation
98 Degrees was formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1996 by Jeff Timmons. Timmons recruited Nick Lachey, whom he met at an amusement park in Ohio. Nick then recruited his younger brother, Drew Lachey, and Justin Jeffre, a childhood friend of the Lachey brothers. The group initially performed at various venues in Los Angeles, aiming for a record deal.
Career and Major Achievements
- Signed with Motown Records in 1997.
- Released their self-titled debut album, 98°, in 1997.
- Gained significant commercial success with their second album, 98° and Rising (1998), achieving 4x Platinum certification.
- Collaborated with Stevie Wonder on the song "True to Your Heart" for the Disney animated film Mulan (1998).
- Released their third album, This Christmas (1999), a holiday-themed album.
- Continued success with their fourth album, Revelation (2000), which also achieved Platinum status.
- Took a hiatus in the early 2000s, with members pursuing solo projects.
- Reunited in 2012 and released their fifth studio album, 2.0 (2013).
- Released their sixth studio album, Seasons of Love (2013), another holiday album.
- Continues to tour and perform together.
Notable Works
Discography
| Year | Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 98° | Motown |
| 1998 | 98° and Rising | Motown |
| 1999 | This Christmas | Universal |
| 2000 | Revelation | Universal |
| 2013 | 2.0 | eOne Music |
| 2013 | Seasons of Love | Universal |
Legacy and Impact
98 Degrees achieved significant success during the late 1990s and early 2000s, contributing to the boy band craze of the era. Their music, characterized by vocal harmonies and pop sensibilities, resonated with a broad audience. The story of how this boyband came together, which is covered in every 98 degree biography, showcases perseverance and talent. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide and continue to perform, maintaining a loyal fanbase.