R&B Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the 90s

This second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a roster of artists known for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Moving Performance

The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak fame.

Then, nine songs into her set, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their set featured covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Cheer

Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Thoughts

While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at points was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than snow.