Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though slightly abridged, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.