98 Degrees Reflects on 25 Years of Music and Brotherhood
In their prime, 98 Degrees ruled the charts, selling nearly 15 million records, scoring four top 10 singles, and gracing the covers of teen magazines alongside ‘NSync and the Backstreet Boys. Yet, the Ohio natives—Drew and Nick Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre—never took their success for granted. They describe themselves as the “blue-collar boy band” who hustled from the very beginning. Drew adds, “We got discovered the old-school way, singing for money and food. I’m very proud of how we came up.”
Fast forward more than two decades, and at ages 47, 49, 50, and 50, respectively, Drew, Nick, Jeff, and Justin are still grinding. Managed by Johnny Wright of Wright Entertainment Group, they are creating new music, embarking on a 25th Anniversary Tour, and re-recording their masters. They shared their journey with Us exclusively at the Hotel Covington in Covington, Kentucky.
25 Years of Success
Reflecting on their remarkable journey, Drew says, “It’s one of these moments where you have to look back. It’s like, ‘Has it really been that long?’ In some ways, it seems like just yesterday that we got together.”
The band’s origin story is unique, with Jeff revealing, “We started it ourselves. You didn’t have YouTube or American Idol back then.” It all began when he heard Nick’s voice and was determined to get him to join. “I tricked him into coming out to L.A.,” Jeff confesses, leading to the formation of the band.
A Unique Approach
Despite their boy band image, Nick clarifies, “We never really thought of ourselves as a boy band. We just got swept up in the current.” Their distinctive harmonies set them apart from others, and they worked tirelessly to achieve their vocal excellence.
When it came to selecting a name, they settled on “98 Degrees” through a vote, looking for something to match their mood and tone. However, they laugh about some of the band names that didn’t make the cut, including “Spontaneous Combustion” and “Inertia.”
The Path to Success
Their road to success was far from easy. After signing in 1995, they recorded for two years before making their debut in 1997 with “Invisible Man.” But initial marketing challenges delayed their rise, which only truly began in 1998 and 1999 thanks to TRL and more exposure.
Nick recalls the pivotal moment when they felt like they’d made it: “We were in Asia touring, and I vividly remember I was in the hallway of our hotel, and Jeff came out and said, ‘Because of You’ just went Top 10.”
Drew adds, “At this point, we have a better perspective on it all. We enjoy the moment more. We put out projects we’re happy with, and whatever happens with them, happens.”
Facing Competition and Pressure
The boy band craze led to comparisons with other groups, causing some pressure. Jeff notes, “We thought we were more of an R&B vocal group,” but as media labeled them alongside Backstreet Boys and ‘N Sync, they pondered if they needed to dance more. Nick adds, “It was a blessing and a curse. There was so much momentum behind the boy band craze, and it was nice to get caught up in that, but it also caused pressure.”
Brotherhood and Challenges
They became a tight-knit brotherhood, experiencing both highs and lows together. Nick, referencing a mall encounter in the Philippines, says, “Getting chased out of a mall in the Philippines — if you were by yourself, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.”
While they had their disagreements, they revolved around music choices and deals rather than personal issues. Their camaraderie remains strong, as they appreciate the fun and hardships they’ve faced together.
Hiatus and Reunion
In 2002, they decided to take a break after years on the road. Justin explains, “We’d just been on the road for so long. We were ready to have more of our own lives outside of the group.” However, the opportunity to tour with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men brought them back together.
Legacy and Looking Ahead
Reflecting on their legacy, Jeff emphasizes their reputation and work ethic, while Drew underscores their respectful treatment of others. Justin points out the significance of providing family-friendly music.
As they embark on a new tour, venture into solo projects, and re-record their hits, their aim remains clear: to create music they are proud of and enjoy the journey. Nick sums it up, “As long as we still feel like we can have fun with it and be good at it, why stop?”