R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of performers renowned for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the evening served as a nostalgic reason for a voyage back to the earnest and emotional sound of 90s R&B.
Opening Performances: Classic Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a set of primarily slow jams from Joe set the stage for the main acts.
The Powerful Performance
The beginning of the song Last Last skillfully transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic heritage. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her greatest success.
Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing live again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a profoundly emotional moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the audience's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly shortened, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in dazzlingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing awe-inspiring three-way vocals that were both precise and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of inspirations, such as a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the Christmas theme with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
While the evening's production had some glitches, and the sense at times was of artists performing a tribute to their younger selves, the overall effect was transportive. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home dusted with sparkle rather than snow.
