R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Trip Returning to the 90s
The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their holiday records. Instead of centering on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s playing behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.
The Powerful Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her show with a live band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
Then, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured interpretations of influences, including a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Cheer
Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense 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, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.
