R&B Xmas Ball Recap: An Heartfelt Trip Back to the Nineties
This second annual R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of performers known for their holiday albums. Instead of centering on carols, the night served as a nostalgic reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending sound of 1990s R&B.
Opening Performances: Timeless Vibes
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching outfits, with music videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Next, a performance of mostly ballads from the artist Joe set the stage for the headlining artists.
Toni Braxton's Moving Set
The beginning of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, connecting Braxton's artistic legacy. At first, her performance with a live band seemed rooted in the time period of her greatest fame.
However, deep into her performance, she opened up about her struggle with lupus and being told she might never sing on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a single spotlight, she delivered a deeply emotional performance. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared earnestly.
Power chords then catapulted the crowd into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's emotions. She encored with an flawless, though somewhat shortened, version of her iconic hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Harmony Masters
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men opened with Motownphilly. They performed hits like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way vocals that were both tight and responsive to their accompaniment.
Their performance included covers of influences, such as a standout guitar piece on Purple Rain, and tracks influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Dash of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the evening turned to the holiday theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a strong finale of hits including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Final Impressions
Although the night's technical execution experienced some hiccups, and the sense at times was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall effect was transformative. The audience was temporarily taken back to the peak era of R&B, going home sprinkled with sparkle rather than frost.
