Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The opening 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 live band seemed rooted in the era of her greatest fame.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white outfits, 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 precise and responsive to their live band.

Their set included interpretations of inspirations, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Thoughts

While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.