R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

The yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of performers known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining acts.

The Moving Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her show with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

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

Overall Impressions

While the evening's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the net result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.