Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Journey Back to the 90s

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their Christmas albums. Rather than centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from Joe set the stage for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, nine songs into her performance, she opened up 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 deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

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 breathtaking three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

Their performance featured covers of influences, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash 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 closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the feeling at points was of artists paying homage to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.