R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Trip Returning to the Nineties
This yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday records. Rather than centering on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Opening Acts: Timeless Feelings
The group Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of primarily ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band appeared rooted in the time period of her greatest success.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not perform live again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Driving guitar chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Taking the stage in strikingly coordinated 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 responsive to their live band.
Their performance included covers of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Christmas Spirit
Towards the end, the evening turned to the Christmas mood with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Thoughts
While the evening's production experienced some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transportive. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.