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

The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening served as a sentimental excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Vibes

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing behind them. Following this, a set of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

The opening of the song Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.

However, 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 deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

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

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert turned to the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

Although the night's technical execution had some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transformative. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.