R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then launched the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's emotions. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show ended with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the evening's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists paying homage to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than frost.