R&B Christmas Ball Review: An Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s

This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on carols, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.

Starting Acts: Classic Feelings

Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s displaying on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

The Powerful Performance

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

Then, deep into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

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

Their set featured interpretations of inspirations, such as a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Cheer

Towards the end, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Overall Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall result was transportive. The crowd was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.