Rhythm and Blues Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties

This yearly Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert showcased a roster of artists renowned for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Vibes

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

Toni Braxton's Moving Set

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

Then, deep 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 single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt performance. “For 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 hearts. She finished with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than frost.