98 Degrees
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Ten years ago the word 98 degrees only meant one thing, a temperature reading. But in 1997, the word became synonymous with chart topping hits and certified platinum albums. With 5 albums under their belt, 3 of which became Platinum, and eight singles all topping the US and UK charts, 98 Degrees has certainly changed the world --- and the music scene, worldwide.
Contents |
[edit] About
In 1995, a struggling singer named Jeff Timmons' called in the help of his friend Nick Lachey, another singer, to form a singing group. Lachey agreed and recruited his former classmate at the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Artists, Justin Jeffre. A few months later, Lachey's younger brother Drew joined the group and the R&B foursome 98 Degrees was born.
Success did not come easy for 98 Degrees. They started out in talent shows and was even reported to have gate crashed the backstage of a Boyz II Men concert where they scored a chance to perform in a local radio show. The performance became the break that they were looking for as it led 98 Degrees to meet artist Montell Jordans manager, Paris D'Jon, who later on helped them land a recording deal with Motown Records. In 1997, 98 Degrees released their self-titled debut album with the carrier single Invisible Man which both reached Gold. In 1998, 98 Degrees' second album 98 Degrees and Rising made the group a household name all over the world. The album reached four times Platinum and has two hit singles. This was soon followed by their third album in 1999, This Christmas and their fourth album Revelation in 2000. By 2002, 98 Degrees have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with when their fifth album The 98 Degrees Collection sold a record breaking 10 million copies and carried 12 hit singles.
After their successful fifth album, 98 Degrees surprised everyone by announcing that they are going on an extended hiatus and not breaking up as was circulating in the tabloids. In the years that followed, two of 98 Degrees' members have released their solo albums: Jeff Timmons with Whisper That Way and Nick Lachey with Solo and What's Left of Me.
98 Degrees may not be creating a buzz as a group lately but they are still making the headlines individually. Nick Lachey married and subsequently divorced the pop sensation Jessica Simpson, Drew Lachey won the reality TV show Dancing With the Stars, Justin Jeffre ran for mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio while Jeff Timmons is scheduled to participate in the new VH1 reality TV series, Man Band.
[edit] Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category | Album | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Grammy Awards | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (for Thank God I Found You) | The Collection | Nominated |
| Year | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Gold | 98 Degrees |
| 1998 | 4x Platinum | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | Platinum | This Christmas |
| 2000 | 2x Platinum | Revelation |
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Single | US Hot 100 | US AC | Top 40 Mainstream | Rhythmic Top 40 | UK Singles Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Invisible Man | 12 | 26 | 12 | 8 | 66 | 98 Degrees |
| 1998 | Because of You | 3 | ~ | 15 | 39 | 36 | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | True To Your Heart | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | 51 | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | I Do (Cherish You) | 13 | 4 | 7 | 5 | ~ | 98 Degrees And Rising |
| 1999 | The Hardest Thing | 5 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 29 | 98 Degrees And Rising |
| 1999 | This Gift | 40 | 13 | ~ | ~ | ~ | This Christmas |
| 2000 | Thank God I Found You w/ Mariah Carey & Joe | 1 | ~ | 28 | 9 | 10 | The Collection |
| 2000 | Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche) | 2 | ~ | 8 | 19 | 61 | Revelation |
| 2000 | My Everything | 34 | 13 | 12 | 23 | ~ | Revelation |
[edit] Tours & Concerts
No tours to date
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 1997 Motown Records |
 1998 Motown Records |
 1999 Uptown/Universal |
 2000 Uptown/Universal |
[edit] Singles
| Date | Title | Label | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Invisible Man | Motown | 98 Degrees |
| 1998 | Was It Something I Didn't Say | Motown | 98 Degrees |
| 1998 | Because of You | Motown | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | I Do (Cherish You) | Motown | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | The Hardest Thing | Motown | 98 Degrees and Rising |
| 1999 | This Gift | Uptown/Universal | This Chirstmas |
| 2000 | Thank God I Found You w/ Mariah Carey & Joe | Universal/Polygram | The 98 Degrees Collection |
| 2000 | Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche) | Universal/Polygram | The 98 Degrees Collection |
| 2000 | My Everything | Uptown/Universal | Revelation |
| 2001 | The Way You Want Me To | Uptown/Universal | Revelation |
| 2002 | Why (Are We Still Friends) | Universal/Polygram | The 98 Degrees Collection |
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
 2002 Universal/Polygram |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Influences
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Trivia
- 98 Degrees performed the song "True To Your Heart" with the legend Stevie Wonder. The song was included in the Disney movie Mulan’s soundtrack and in the group’s second album 98 Degrees and Rising.
- Drew Lachey, worked in Brooklyn before as an Emergency Medical Technician.
- All four members of 98 Degrees are from Ohio.
- More often than not, 98 Degrees is stacked in the R&B section of a record bars rather than in the boy bands section because they are not considered to be one by many. The reason for this is that rather than being formed by a record label, 98 Degrees formed themselves and was only discovered by a record producer.
