Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s era displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature 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 moved through classics 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 performance featured covers 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 Cheer

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

Final Impressions

While the night's production experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.