R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening served as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last skillfully segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed anchored in the time period of her greatest fame.
Then, deep 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 delivered a deeply emotional moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her command over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.
Their performance featured covers of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
Although the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the feeling at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transportive. The crowd was briefly transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than snow.
