Back for the heat: 98 Degrees returns to the Phl

Get ready to relive the golden age of pop and R&B as American vocal group 98 Degrees makes its long-awaited return to the Philippines for a back-to-back concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on 30 and 31 May.

The concert will highlight 98 Degrees’ iconic tracks such as “I Do (Cherish You),” “The Hardest Thing” and “Because of You.” This time, they’re bringing special guests: Filipino vocal powerhouse Katrina Velarde and soulful singer-songwriter Janine Teñoso. Velarde, in particular, has already made waves with her Taglish rendition of “I Do (Cherish You),” adding a uniquely Pinoy flavor to the group’s legacy hit.

A look back

Formed in Los Angeles in the mid-‘90s by Jeff Timmons, 98 Degrees quickly stood out from the boy band pack. While groups like NSYNC and Backstreet Boys were assembled by labels, 98 Degrees charted its own path, securing a deal after independently building its brand.

Ohio natives Timmons, Nick and Drew Lachey and Justin Jeffre weren’t just pretty faces — they were vocalists and songwriters whose R&B leanings gave their music depth and distinction.

Their breakout single “Invisible Man” peaked at no. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997, and from there, the group soared. From 1998 to 2001, they dominated pop and adult contemporary charts with hits like “Because of You,” “The Hardest Thing” and “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche),” which became their highest-charting single, reaching No. 2 in the US.

Their emotional duet with Mariah Carey, “Thank God I Found You,” not only topped the Billboard Hot 100 but also earned the group a Grammy nomination — cementing their place among the era’s most celebrated male vocal groups.

98 Degrees has sold over 10 million records worldwide, including the beloved holiday release This Christmas, one of the most successful Christmas albums ever with over two million copies sold.

New chapter, same harmony

After a long hiatus, the group reunited in 2012 and has since returned to recording and touring, reinvigorated by the members’ passion for performance and their fans’ unwavering loyalty. Now, in 2025, they’re embracing a new chapter with the release of their forthcoming album Full Circle — a mix of reimagined hits and brand-new tracks.

“We want to continue to be out in front of our fans and doing shows,” Drew Lachey shared to PEOPLE magazine. “That’s the true success — to still be doing what we love.”

Justin Jeffre added that the project is deeply personal, featuring songs co-written by Nick and Drew. “There’s an updated 98 Degrees sound,” Drew explained. “We still focus on harmonies and melody, but we’ve got some incredible producers updating the feel of the tracks.”