R&B Christmas Ball Recap: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the Nineties
The second annual Rhythm and Blues Christmas Concert featured a lineup of artists known for their holiday albums. Rather than focusing on seasonal songs, the evening acted as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and emotional style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Performances: Classic Vibes
The group Dru Hill delivered iconic R&B in coordinated outfits, with videos from the 2000s playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
The Moving Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic heritage. At first, her performance with a live band seemed anchored in the era of her greatest success.
However, nine songs into her set, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not sing on stage again. Performing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a profoundly emotional performance. “For as long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she stated earnestly.
Driving guitar chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her grip over the audience's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat abridged, rendition of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly coordinated all-white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They moved through hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and reactive to their live band.
Their set included interpretations of influences, including a standout solo on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Cheer
Towards the end, the evening embraced the holiday theme with performances 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
Although the evening's production had some hiccups, and the sense at points was of stars paying homage to their younger selves, the overall result was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the golden age of R&B, going home sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
