R&B Xmas Ball Recap: A Emotional Journey Back to the Nineties
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball featured a lineup of artists renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of focusing on seasonal songs, the night acted as a nostalgic excuse for a voyage back to the sincere and emotional style of 90s R&B.
Starting Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill delivered classic R&B in coordinated attire, with videos from the 2000s era displaying behind them. Next, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.
Toni Braxton's Moving Performance
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her show with a backing band seemed anchored in the era of her peak fame.
However, nine songs into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might not sing live again. Performing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated sincerely.
Power chords then catapulted the audience into Long As I Live, solidifying her grip over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though somewhat shortened, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white outfits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They performed classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating awe-inspiring three-part vocals that were both precise and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their set included covers 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 Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the holiday mood with renditions of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance ended with a strong finale of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Impressions
While the night's technical execution had some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars performing a tribute to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with glitter rather than snow.
