The Introduction .....

1998 is sure to be a banner year for Motown vocal quartet 98°. After generating plenty of heat in 1997, how can they go wrong? With a worldwide audience captivated by the group's flawless harmonies and the romantic music on their self-titled debut album, it's just the beginning of things to come from brothers Nick and Drew Lachey, Justin Jeff, and Jeff Timmons.

In a short time, 98° have achieved what most people only dream of. The Ohio foursome went gold their first time out with "Invisible Man," and irresistible song about unrequited love. It reached #12 on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Singles chart and has remained in the top 40 for five months. 98° are far from one-hit wonders ~~ and they have proven that with 98°, whick showcases their singing, writing, and producing talents. One listen is all it takes to realize that they have something special. Says Nick, "I'd like to think that 98° will leave a lasting impression."

Hit song-writer Diane Warren, who's responsible for countless chart-topping songs, including Toni Braxton's "Unbreak My Heart" and Celine Dion's "Because You Love Me," took her golden pen to the page for the second single from 98°, "Was It Something I Didn't Say." The lushly arranged ballad (produced by Darly Simmons) is about losing that special someone because of words that were never said, and spotlights 98° at their romantic best. With the group's trademark four-part harmony driving the tender song, "Was It Something I Didn't Say" is bound to become a Motown classic.

98° have been working their magic since last May, when they began a tour across the country, stopping at cheerleading camps, Six Flags theme parks, clubs, and malls (including the Seventeen Live mall tour sponsored by the magazine). The guys generated plenty of heat all summer long with standing room only perfonmances and television appearances on shows ranging from Soul Train to Ricki Lake. Thye've also garnered a devoted following in Europe and Canada, where their album has already earned gold status. "There's no other way to explain it besides that we've been extremely blessed," Drew humbly states.

Several years ago, Jeff left his native Ohio to pursue a singing career in Los Angeles. Along with his brother and a friend he formed a vocal group. That friend was also Nick and Justin's classmate from their days in the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts. He suggested that Nick, then a student at Miami of Ohio, would blend in perfectly, and in a week Nick was L.A. bound. Then Justin was summoned to the west coast. the final ingredient to be added to 98° was Drew, who was working in Brooklyn, New York as an emergency medical technician. "I got the call, quit my job, closed my bank account, packed up my car, and picked up Nick at Newark Airport. We made the three-day trek out to L.A. together. Nick didn't want me to do the drive alone and it gace me the opportunity to learn the songs," recalls Drew.

Instantly, 98° realized their voices were a powerhouse force to be reckoned with.

While making ends meet by doing everything from landscaping to working as security guards at nicht clubs, Drew, Justin, Nick and Jeff participated in talent shows and went on auditions.

Serious admirers of Boyz II Men, 98° managed to find their way to the backstage area of a Boyz concert, hoping for the chance to sing for them. Even though they didn't get their wish, a local radio station asked the enthusiastic group to perform on the air. That's when they met Paris D'Jon, who co-managed multi-platinum R&B artist Montell Jordan. D'Jon was intrigued and started talking to the guys. A partnership was born, and suddenly 98° was heading out on the road with Montell and receiving raves for their dynamic live shows.

With interest from several record labels, 98° unanimouslydecided to sign with Motown. "A lot of Motown artists have been a great influence on us," Justin explains. "So for us to be able to represent Motown and all that it's stood for over the years is a great honor." Agrees Jeff, "Motown is an historical legacy and we are proud to be part of it." Now 98° are making Motown history of their own.

Influenced by the a cappella-based Gospel music of Take 6, the R&B grooves of Jodeci, the mellifluous harmonies of Boyz II Men and the Temptations, and the sweet, soulful sounds of artists such as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, the quartet have taken supreme elements from each to form a style that is pure 98°.

"The album is very rooted in harmony," says Nick. "It's a nice blend between a pop and R&B sound. We set out to make it smooth and soulful." Smooth is the perfect word to describe 98°'s album, whick describes the many shades of love.

"I think that romance and love are something everybody can identify with," Jeff adds. "Emotionally it brings out something in people when they hear it. I know it brings out something in me when I sing it."

98° worked with up and coming producers and songwriters on their debut, including Tricky and Sean of the LaFace camp, Rashad Smith (producer of LL Cool J, Total and Seal), labelmate Mario Winans, and longtime friend and supporter Montell Jordan.

From the passionate ballad, "Heaven's Missing An Angel" to the Gospel fervor of "Hand In Hand," featuring Motown newcomer LaShanda Reese, 98° explore the musical spectrum. They bring ona hip-hop vibe one minute with "I Wanna Love You," and then deliver the silky, jazz-flavored ballad, "Completely." Co-written and co-produced by 98°, "Completely" is especially significant for the guys. "It was out contribution to the album and it epitomizes everything that we've worked for," comments Drew.

With all they've attained in the pase year, Jeff, Nick, Drew, and Justin are looking to the future and to the next level of 98°. "We really want to have and impact," asserts Justin.

If 1997 was an introduction to the group, 1998 has 98° written all over it.

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