R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball featured a roster of artists renowned for their Christmas records. Rather than centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 90s R&B.

Starting Performances: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in matching attire, 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 main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Performance

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her performance with a backing band seemed rooted in the time period of her peak success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she spoke about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.

Boyz II Men: Vocal Masters

Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated white outfits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way harmonies that were both precise and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance featured interpretations of influences, such as a memorable guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the evening embraced the Christmas mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The crowd was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home dusted with glitter rather than frost.