R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the Nineties

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, deep into her performance, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Holiday Cheer

Finally, the evening embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

Although the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.