Rhythm and Blues Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Returning to the Nineties

The second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a roster of artists known for their holiday records. Instead of centering on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic excuse for a trip back to the earnest and emotional style of 90s R&B.

Opening Acts: Classic Vibes

The group Dru Hill presented iconic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a set of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main artists.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The opening of the song Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest success.

However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both precise and responsive to their live band.

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

A Touch of Christmas Spirit

Finally, the concert turned to 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

While the night's technical execution experienced some glitches, and the sense at points was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the net result was transformative. The audience was temporarily transported to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.