R&B Xmas Ball Review: A Heartfelt Journey Back to the 90s
The yearly R&B Xmas Ball showcased a lineup of artists renowned for their holiday records. Instead of focusing on carols, the night acted as a sentimental reason for a trip back to the sincere and heart-rending style of 1990s R&B.
Starting Acts: Classic Feelings
Dru Hill presented classic R&B in matching attire, with videos from the 2000s era playing on screens behind them. Following this, a performance of mostly slow jams from the artist Joe set the stage for the main artists.
The Powerful Performance
The opening of Burna Boy’s Last Last cleverly segued into He Wasn’t Man Enough, tying in Braxton's artistic legacy. Initially, her performance with a backing band appeared anchored in the era of her peak success.
Then, deep into her performance, she opened up about her battles with lupus and being told she might not perform on stage again. Singing Breathe Again in a solitary beam of light, she gave a profoundly heartfelt moment. “As long as I live, I will never forget tonight,” she declared sincerely.
Power chords then launched the audience into Long As I Live, cementing her command over the crowd's hearts. She finished with an impeccable, though slightly abridged, version of her signature hit, Un-break My Heart.
The Group Boyz II Men: Vocal Virtuosos
Appearing on stage in strikingly matching white suits, Boyz II Men began with Motownphilly. They moved through classics like Water Runs Dry and On Bended Knee, showcasing breathtaking three-way harmonies that were both tight and responsive to their live band.
Their set included covers of inspirations, including a memorable solo on Purple Rain, and songs influenced by them, like Bruno Mars’s Locked Out of Heaven.
A Touch of Holiday Spirit
Finally, the concert embraced the Christmas theme with performances of Silent Night and Let It Snow. The performance concluded with a powerful closing run of anthems including One Sweet Day, I’ll Make Love To You, and End of the Road.
Overall Thoughts
Although the evening's technical execution had some hiccups, and the feeling at points was of stars paying homage to their past selves, the overall result was transformative. The crowd was temporarily transported to the golden age of R&B, leaving sprinkled with glitter rather than snow.
