R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Returning to the 90s

This yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers renowned for their Christmas albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.

Opening Performances: Classic Vibes

Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with videos from the 2000s displaying behind them. Following this, a performance of primarily ballads from Joe prepared the audience for the main acts.

Toni Braxton's Powerful Set

The beginning of the song Last Last cleverly transitioned into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's musical legacy. At first, her show with a live band appeared anchored in the time period of her greatest success.

Then, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she gave a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.

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

Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos

Taking the stage in dazzlingly matching all-white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, demonstrating breathtaking three-part vocals that were both tight and reactive to their accompaniment.

Their performance included interpretations of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs inspired by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.

A Dash of Christmas Spirit

Towards the end, the concert turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The show concluded with a powerful closing run of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.

Final Impressions

While the evening's production had some hiccups, and the feeling at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transportive. The audience was briefly taken back to the peak era of R&B, leaving dusted with sparkle rather than snow.