R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Rather than focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of inspirations, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Towards the end, the evening embraced the Christmas theme with performances 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.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.