R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Emotional Journey Returning to the 90s

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their holiday records. Rather than focusing on carols, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Feelings

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe prepared the audience for the headlining artists.

The Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the era of her peak success.

Then, deep into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

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

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

A Touch of Holiday Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production experienced some glitches, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the net effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than frost.