Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: An Emotional Trip Back to the Nineties

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of performers known for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Acts: Timeless Feelings

The group Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the headlining acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

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

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.

Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.

The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos

Appearing on stage in strikingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-part harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.

Their set featured covers of influences, including a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Holiday Spirit

Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance 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 evening's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net effect was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.