98 Degrees Biography

98 Degrees (stylized as 98°) is an American vocal group formed in Ohio, consisting of brothers Nick Lachey and Drew Lachey, along with Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre. The group originally started independently in Los Angeles, California, where all members relocated to hone their performances together. In the wake of the success of similar acts like Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees attracted the attention of industry executives, leading to their signing in 1997. Their debut single, "Invisible Man," reached the top of the charts, marking the beginning of their commercial success.

Following the success of their first single, 98 Degrees released their self-titled debut album, which was boosted by their appearance in the Disney film Mulan and attained multi-platinum status in 1998. The album produced hit singles such as “The Hardest Thing” and “Because of You.” Over the next five years, 98 Degrees continued to release successful albums, including 98 Degrees and Rising (1998), This Christmas (1999), and Revelation (2000). During this period, the group scored several top-charting singles, including “I Do (Cherish You),” “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” and “Thank God I Found You,” the latter of which garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals alongside Mariah Carey.

In 2002, 98 Degrees went on hiatus, during which time the members pursued various personal projects. Nick Lachey married singer Jessica Simpson, leading to a successful reality show and several television specials. Jeff Timmons embarked on a solo career, while Justin Jeffre briefly ventured into politics.

The group reunited in 2012 following a live performance at the Mixtape Festival in Pennsylvania, which reinvigorated their commitment to recording and performing together. Their first studio album in nearly a decade, titled 2.0, was released in 2013, and later that year, 98 Degrees joined Boyz II Men and New Kids on the Block for "The Package" tour.

To date, 98 Degrees has sold over ten million records worldwide and charted eight singles within the top forty on the Billboard U.S. Hot 100, with multiple songs reaching the top twenty. Their Christmas album, 98 Degrees This Christmas, has sold over two million copies, solidifying its status as one of the most successful holiday albums.

The group remains active, having released the seasonal album Let It Snow in 2017, and they embarked on a Christmas tour during that holiday season. This followed their extensive My2K Tour in 2016, which featured co-headliners Dream, O-Town, and Ryan Cabrera. As they continue to perform and record new music, 98 Degrees maintains a lasting presence in the pop and R&B music landscape.